Rereading Animal Farm and 1984 back-to-back felt like visiting old friends who had grown even wiser with time. What struck me most was how disturbingly relevant Orwell’s observations remain today.
Animal Farm mirrors modern hierarchies, whether in corporations or politics. We start the rebellion well intended, but at some point, we realize, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others,” and then everything changes. That quote is the unofficial tagline for the modern world.
1984, on the other hand, is a chilling reminder of how surveillance has evolved. While Big Brother symbolized oppressive government control, today, it’s that, plus the algorithmic gaze of Big Tech, who’s watching, tracking, monitoring, and influencing you.
Big Tech Bro … Tech Big Bro … Big Bro Tech …
The Thought Police might not be kicking down doors yet, but the idea of thought control is alive and well, Ministry of Truth vs Truth Social. Outrage trending faster than reason. Orwell wrote dystopian fiction, but it feels like a guidebook for our era. Many other parallels exist, but I want to keep this post short.
Now I leave you with a quote:
“The aim of propaganda is not to try to pass judgment on conflicting rights, giving each its due, but exclusively to emphasize the right which we are asserting. Propaganda must not investigate the truth objectively and, in so far as it is favourable to the other side, present it according to the theoretical rules of justice; yet it must present only that aspect of the truth which is favourable to its own side.”
Mein Kampf, Volume 1, Chapter 6 (War Propaganda), pg 158 in the pdf – Translated into English by James Murphy
Yes! I have a pdf of Mein Kampf. Even as I long for a world of understanding and compassion, it’s important to know my enemy. That quote echoes Orwell’s commentary on the distortion of truth in both Animal Farm (e.g., Squealer’s manipulation of facts) and 1984 (e.g., the Party’s slogan, “War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength.”).
How have you been?
Work is getting busy again, which is fine with me. I’m excited. During my downtime, I wrote a book.
Do you remember Grumpy Old Men (1993)? I used to think it was just a movie but that shit’s real, yo. I work with a few. But one is significantly extra grumpy. Whenever he says certain things to me, I think, “Just fuckin’ die already.” I ignore those types of emails and texts from him, and if we happen to be talking, I just let him rant until he cools off. Why is your first instinct to get upset and fire off icky messages?
Hmmm, upon reflection, I used to be that person in a slightly different context, and sometimes I still am; maybe it’s the karma chameleon that’s getting back at me. But often, I just feel misunderstood.
I would talk to him about it, but I don’t believe he’s interested in changing. So, I have to change my approach and how I interact with him. Thinking evil thoughts and making up names about people who irritate me gets me through. That’s my coping mechanism and jokes, of course.
Why do old men get grumpy? Is it only old white men or all men? I don’t think my dad is in that category, but maybe I’m biased—he’s not someone I have to work with or have a romantic relationship with (I wanna go down the incest rabbit hole, but I’ll resist. For now.)
Do women get cranky, too, as they age? I can only judge others by my standards or experiences, but some approaches still feel wrong.
Music and Morality
Now that R Kelly has been deincarcerated for a bit, I can blast his music again without offending anybody, right?
Dear Mr. R:
If you have the desire to get freaky,
Do more than a litttle 12 play.
I don’t mind being peed on.
Give me a call! 555-555-5555!
Willing to be your play thing,
sam.
P.S.: I hope you are interested in consenting, grown women.
P.P.S.: I’m good at pretending (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)
It still feels good when I listen to R. Kelly’s songs because his music reminds me of moments in my life. Does that make me irresponsible, ignorant, selfish? I’m all for supporting the victims, but I’m for my memories, too, and I shouldn’t have to choose.
That might sound shitty, but I believe I can separate the art from the artist. Maybe what’s driving me is self-interest—because if I ever did some fucked-up shit, I’d hope you wouldn’t stop visiting me. I believe my work is for good, and I hope you’ll see it that way, too.
What if we had a Spotify that only let us stream music by artists who passed a Big Brother-style ethical and moral inquisition? So long, Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Kanye, Drake. Cause there’s the bad shit we know and the worse shit we don’t. Would I be down for listening to Quran readings, Gregorian chants and crickets if it came to that? I’ll have to learn how to dance to that music.
If all goes well, I’ll have three posts next week, but sometimes, I want to post things immediately if they feel done—an urge I must resist.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend 🙂 and remember, aging is inevitable; grumpiness is optional.
Fri Jan 24
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