say it in blogs

It really blows my mind that this book was written in 1949. This is my second time reading Orwell’s dystopian novel. Safe to say I got a lot more out of it now than I did at the age of 14. On my first read I appreciated the novel for the story and the dark vision it painted of the future (even though I read it in 1991, which was technically the future). But reading this today, it’s almost impossible not to draw parallels between Orwell’s world and with what’s happening around us: the pervasiveness of surveillance, the diminishing amount of privacy, and the move towards united global superpowers. Orwell wrote this book more as a warning of what totalitarian government could bring and less about the loss of privacy, implying that the first would bring about the second. But today it seems like just the opposite is possible.

“In a way, the world-view of the Party imposed itself most successfully on people incapable of understanding it. They could be made to accept the most flagrant violations of reality, because they never fully grasped the enormity of what was demanded of them, and were not sufficiently interested in public events to notice what was happening. By lack of understanding they remained sane. They simply swallowed everything, and what they swallowed did them no harm, because it left no residue behind, just as a grain of corn will pass undigested through the body of a bird.”

“For if leisure and security were enjoyed by all alike, the great mass of human beings who are normally stupefied by poverty would become literate and would learn to think for themselves; and when once they had done this, they would sooner or later realise that the privileged minority had no function, and they would sweep it away. In the long run, a hierarchical society was only possible on a basis of poverty and ignorance.”

“To these people the war is simply a continuous calamity which sweeps to and fro over their bodies like a tidal wave. Which side is winning is a matter of complete indifference to them. They are aware that a change of overlordship means simply that they will be doing the same work as before for new masters who treat them in the same manner as the old ones.”

“You are imagining that there is something called human nature which will be outraged by what we do and will turn against us. But we create human nature. Men are infinitely malleable.”

* I picked up this version of the book with a cool Obey cover, but love this retro version (courtesy of So Much Pileup).

Not about to start doing full book reviews here, but I would like to start throwing up titles I’ve checked out and enjoyed. Reading is a great source of inspiration as it forces me to use my imagination and empathy (admittedly, a weakness for me–who in their right mind does not have the exact same belief system as me?). Anyway, will be adding books here as I finish them, at least the ones that are good.

This book was recommended to me a long time ago, over 12 years actually. Such a blunt title is hard to ignore let alone forget. As with most things I come across it got filed it in my mental folder of ‘things to check out in the future.’ A lunchtime stroll to the bookstore ended with me spotting this new edition Faith Ringgold cover, recognizing the title, and taking it straight to the register. 2009 is about a lot of things, but mostly it’s about trying not to procrastinating so much.

Diary of a Rapist is going to be a hard read for most people. Just like the title implies, it is a pretty heavy read. The diary entries of Earl Summerfield (bureaucrat, misogynist, social analyst) are blunt, honest, and disturbing. Though the book mainly deals with the mental downfall of Summerfield, there is a lot of social commentary throughout. Written during the turbulent 60s and set in San Francisco, the context for a lot of the social unrest is still relevant 32 years later.

Here are some excerpts:
“How can one already worn out by this corrupt world understand Incorruption? Let the human race lament and let animals rejoice, etc. Yes, that’s how it is, for the world has lost its youth and the times are beginning to grow old.”

“Speech isn’t necessary. Scientists have pointed out that people were on earth struggling and eating and fighting and so forth for at least half a million years without making a sound. Speech means you’re determined to lie, so believe nothing anybody says. Trust yourself above all others. When people make offerings turn away your face from them.”