Orwell Quotes, How True and Spooky

[Weegle777 63]

Wow, these quotes are pretty prophetic.

http://themindunleashed.org/2014/12/10-george-orwell-quotes-predicted-life-2014-america.html

10 George Orwell Quotes That Predicted Life In 2015 America

AwarenessParadigm ShiftDec 14, 2014

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George Orwell ranks among the most profound social critics of the modern era. Some of his quotations, more than a half a century old, show the depth of understanding an enlightened mind can have about the future.

1) “In our age there is no such thing as ‘keeping out of politics.’ All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia.”

Though many in the modern age have the will to bury their head in the sand when it comes to political matters, nobody can only concern themselves with the proverbial pebble in their shoe. If one is successful in avoiding politics, at some point the effects of the political decisions they abstained from participating in will reach their front door. More often than not, by that time the person has already lost whatever whisper of a voice the government has allowed them.

2) “All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.”

Examining the nightly news in the run up to almost any military intervention will find scores of talking heads crying for blood to flow in the streets of some city the name of which they just learned to pronounce. Once the bullets start flying, those that clamored for war will still be safely on set bringing you up-to-the-minute coverage of the carnage while their stock in Raytheon climbs.

3) “War against a foreign country only happens when the moneyed classes think they are going to profit from it.”

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It’s pretty self-explanatory and while it may be hard to swallow, it’s certainly true. All it takes is a quick look at who benefited from the recent wars waged by the United States to see Orwell’s quip take life.

4) “The very concept of objective truth is fading out of the world. Lies will pass into history.”

My most prized books are a collection of history books from around the world. I have an Iraqi book that recounts the glory of Saddam Hussein’s victory over the United States in 1991. I have books from three different nations claiming that one of their citizens was the first to fly. As some of the most powerful nations in the world agree to let certain facts be “forgotten,” the trend will only get worse. History is written by the victor, and the victor will never be asked if he told the truth.

5) “In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”

Even without commentary, the reader is probably picturing Edward Snowden or Chelsea Manning. The revolutions of the future will not be fought with bullets and explosives, but with little bits of data traveling around the world destroying the false narratives with which governments shackle their citizens.

6) “Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations.”

Make no mistake about it; if an article does not anger someone, it is nothing more than a public relations piece. Most of what passes for news today is little more than an official sounding advertisement for a product, service, or belief.

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7) “In real life it is always the anvil that breaks the hammer…”

In every conflict, it is not the side that can inflict the most damage, but the side that can sustain the most damage that ultimately prevails. History is full of situations in which a military “won the battles but lost the war.”

8) “The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them.”

Haditha. Panjwai. Maywand District. Mahmudiyah. These names probably don’t ring a bell, but it is almost a certainty that the reader is aware of the brutality that occurred in Benghazi. The main difference is that in the first four incidents, those committing the acts of brutality were wearing an American flag on their shoulder.

9) “Threats to freedom of speech, writing and action, though often trivial in isolation, are cumulative in their effect and, unless checked, lead to a general disrespect for the rights of the citizen.”

Everyday there is a new form of censorship or a new method of forcing people into self-censorship, and the people shrug it off because it only relates to a small minority. By the time the people realize their ability to express disapproval has been completely restricted, it may be too late. That brings us to Orwell’s most haunting quote.

10) “If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever.”

Once the people are indoctrinated with nationalistic beliefs, and the infrastructure to protect them from some constantly-changing and ever-expanding definition of an enemy is in place, there is no ability for the people to regain liberty. By the time all of the pieces are in place, not only is opportunity to regain freedom lost, but the will to achieve freedom has also evaporated. The reader will truly love Big Brother.

Edited March 31, 2015 by Weegle777

[AUDub 9,948]

The Mind Unleashed? That says a lot.

Surprised you would put much stock in the words of an avowed socialist, Weegs.

[quietfan 233]

10 George Orwell Quotes That Predicted Life In 2015 America

1) "In our age there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics.' All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia."

2) "All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting."

3) "War against a foreign country only happens when the moneyed classes think they are going to profit from it."

4) "The very concept of objective truth is fading out of the world. Lies will pass into history."

5) "In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

6) "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations."

7) "In real life it is always the anvil that breaks the hammer…"

8) "The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them."

9) "Threats to freedom of speech, writing and action, though often trivial in isolation, are cumulative in their effect and, unless checked, lead to a general disrespect for the rights of the citizen."

10) "If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever."

I think it's a tribute to Orwell's intelligence that both liberals and conservatives can agree with most of these statements (although #10 has yet to be proven valid).

Of course, I suspect both Left and Right tend to interpret them as referring only to the sins of the other side. :-\

[Weegle777 63]

The Mind Unleashed? That says a lot. :laugh:/>

Surprised you would put much stock in the words of an avowed socialist, Weegs.

So, since it was on this site they are untrue? You guys get too tied up in sources.

[DKW 86 6,345]

10 George Orwell Quotes That Predicted Life In 2015 America

1) "In our age there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics.' All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia."

2) "All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting."

3) "War against a foreign country only happens when the moneyed classes think they are going to profit from it."

4) "The very concept of objective truth is fading out of the world. Lies will pass into history."

5) "In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

6) "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations."

7) "In real life it is always the anvil that breaks the hammer…"

8) "The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them."

9) "Threats to freedom of speech, writing and action, though often trivial in isolation, are cumulative in their effect and, unless checked, lead to a general disrespect for the rights of the citizen."

10) "If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever."

Those are so true, it is very telling.

Free Speech quote is very telling in 21st Century America.

8) "The nationalist PARTISAN not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them."

This one, if you replaced "nationalist," with Partisan, as in Democrat or Republican, is sssooo perfectly spot on it is hard not to stand up and cheer.

Edited March 31, 2015 by DKW 86

[AUDub 9,948]

So, since it was on this site they are untrue? You guys get too tied up in sources.

Didn't say that, but you certainly could have picked a better source.

[Weegle777 63]

So, since it was on this site they are untrue? You guys get too tied up in sources.

Didn't say that, but you certainly could have picked a better source.

Like?

[AUDub 9,948]

So, since it was on this site they are untrue? You guys get too tied up in sources.

Didn't say that, but you certainly could have picked a better source.

Like?

Brainyquote.

But if you want to post links for websites that promote foaming at the mouth stupidity, be my guest.

[Weegle777 63]

10 George Orwell Quotes That Predicted Life In 2015 America

1) "In our age there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics.' All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia."

2) "All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting."

3) "War against a foreign country only happens when the moneyed classes think they are going to profit from it."

4) "The very concept of objective truth is fading out of the world. Lies will pass into history."

5) "In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

6) "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations."

7) "In real life it is always the anvil that breaks the hammer…"

8) "The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them."

9) "Threats to freedom of speech, writing and action, though often trivial in isolation, are cumulative in their effect and, unless checked, lead to a general disrespect for the rights of the citizen."

10) "If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever."

Those are so true, it is very telling.

Free Speech quote is very telling in 21st Century America.

8) "The nationalist PARTISAN not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them."

This one, if you replaced "nationalist," with Partisan, as in Democrat or Republican, is sssooo perfectly spot on it is hard not to stand up and cheer.

Yep. Amazing how he had that much prophetic insight.

[Weegle777 63]

So, since it was on this site they are untrue? You guys get too tied up in sources.

Didn't say that, but you certainly could have picked a better source.

Like?

Brainyquote.

But if you want to post links for websites that promote foaming at the mouth stupidity, be my guest.

It's just you and your self-congratulatory pseudo-intellectualism. Yay you!

[AUDub 9,948]

So, since it was on this site they are untrue? You guys get too tied up in sources.

Didn't say that, but you certainly could have picked a better source.

Like?

Brainyquote.

But if you want to post links for websites that promote foaming at the mouth stupidity, be my guest.

It's just you and your self-congratulatory pseudo-intellectualism. Yay you!

Want some examples of said stupidity?

Anti-Semitism!

Vaccine Hysteria!

Food Woo!

Energy Woo!

Big Pharma Conspiracy!

I'm not saying it was aliens, but it was aliens!

Vibration Woo!

Yet MORE Health Woo!

HAARP Weather Manipulation!

Chemtrails!

Marijuana Woo!

Autism Woo!

OH NO PHYSICS, HELP I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING !!!11!!1!

Aspartame Woo!

:Sing:

Edited March 31, 2015 by Bigbens42

[Weegle777 63]

Congratulations! Oh and I guess your whining worked!

[AUDub 9,948]

Congratulations! Oh and I guess your whining worked!

I am nothing if not thorough.

Edited March 31, 2015 by Bigbens42

[DKW 86 6,345]

So, since it was on this site they are untrue? You guys get too tied up in sources.

Didn't say that, but you certainly could have picked a better source.

Like?

Brainyquote.

But if you want to post links for websites that promote foaming at the mouth stupidity, be my guest.

It's just you and your self-congratulatory pseudo-intellectualism. Yay you!

Want some examples of said stupidity?

Anti-Semitism!

Vaccine Hysteria!

Food Woo!

Energy Woo!

Big Pharma Conspiracy!

I'm not saying it was aliens, but it was aliens!

Vibration Woo!

Yet MORE Health Woo!

HAARP Weather Manipulation!

Chemtrails!

Marijuana Woo!

Autism Woo!

OH NO PHYSICS, HELP I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING !!!11!!1!

Aspartame Woo!

:Sing:

From the first link:

The target audience is the superficially-leftish end of the spectrum; the well-meaning but politically naive, and those who just don’t like to see the underdog kicked; from people who haven’t had the opportunity to acquire genuine critical thinking and/or research skills, to the histrionic-sanctimonious; the aspiring George Galloways; the would-be-cult-leaders.

I have a special loathing for the piece of disinformation, beloved of “The Mind Unleashed”, and oft repeated without reference to anything other than anecdote, that cannabis can cure cancer. Aside from anecdote never being a good basis for medical advice, this rubbish is just plain wrong, and could encourage people with cancer to disregard sound medical advice from oncologists. People have already been killed by this kind of thing.

...

Manny Schewitz, of Forward Progressives, writes that you “…dig down a little deeper as I have suggested and you’ll find Holocaust denialism and other anti-Semitism…”. I obviously agree with Schewitz on two points; that there is anti-Semitism at “The Mind Unleashed”, and that people should do a little digging for themselves.

Schewitz doesn’t provide an example of the anti-Semitism he’s talking about, but rather, alludes to the “gateway” nature of the types of conspiracy theories that “The Mind Unleashed” uses; i.e. their propensity to lead towards “anti-Semitism”, and conspiracy theories about “reptile people” and “chemtrails”. Again, I think people should do a little digging for themselves, and I do think that in this case, it’s not a difficult ask. However, I will still provide an example…

IMHO, the new Gold Standard in Conspiracy Theories is Chemtrails.

And yes, i know and have heard nationally recognized folks on the Left that are very very serious that Chemtrails are Military-Industrial Complex inspired attacks on Common People and are sponsored by... DUN DUN DUN! Who else? The Koch Brothers.

[AUDub 9,948]

So, since it was on this site they are untrue? You guys get too tied up in sources.

Didn't say that, but you certainly could have picked a better source.

Like?

Brainyquote.

But if you want to post links for websites that promote foaming at the mouth stupidity, be my guest.

It's just you and your self-congratulatory pseudo-intellectualism. Yay you!

Want some examples of said stupidity?

Anti-Semitism!

Vaccine Hysteria!

Food Woo!

Energy Woo!

Big Pharma Conspiracy!

I'm not saying it was aliens, but it was aliens!

Vibration Woo!

Yet MORE Health Woo!

HAARP Weather Manipulation!

Chemtrails!

Marijuana Woo!

Autism Woo!

OH NO PHYSICS, HELP I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING !!!11!!1!

Aspartame Woo!

:Sing:

From the first link:

The target audience is the superficially-leftish end of the spectrum; the well-meaning but politically naive, and those who just don’t like to see the underdog kicked; from people who haven’t had the opportunity to acquire genuine critical thinking and/or research skills, to the histrionic-sanctimonious; the aspiring George Galloways; the would-be-cult-leaders.

I have a special loathing for the piece of disinformation, beloved of “The Mind Unleashed”, and oft repeated without reference to anything other than anecdote, that cannabis can cure cancer. Aside from anecdote never being a good basis for medical advice, this rubbish is just plain wrong, and could encourage people with cancer to disregard sound medical advice from oncologists. People have already been killed by this kind of thing.

...

Manny Schewitz, of Forward Progressives, writes that you “…dig down a little deeper as I have suggested and you’ll find Holocaust denialism and other anti-Semitism…”. I obviously agree with Schewitz on two points; that there is anti-Semitism at “The Mind Unleashed”, and that people should do a little digging for themselves.

Schewitz doesn’t provide an example of the anti-Semitism he’s talking about, but rather, alludes to the “gateway” nature of the types of conspiracy theories that “The Mind Unleashed” uses; i.e. their propensity to lead towards “anti-Semitism”, and conspiracy theories about “reptile people” and “chemtrails”. Again, I think people should do a little digging for themselves, and I do think that in this case, it’s not a difficult ask. However, I will still provide an example…

IMHO, the new Gold Standard in Conspiracy Theories is Chemtrails.

And yes, i know and have heard nationally recognized folks on the Left that are very very serious that Chemtrails are Military-Industrial Complex inspired attacks on Common People and are sponsored by... DUN DUN DUN! Who else? The Koch Brothers.

I'm equal opportunity when it comes to ignorance on the interwebz. Left-wing, right-wing. All the same to me.

[Strychnine 1,756]

So, since it was on this site they are untrue? You guys get too tied up in sources.

Didn't say that, but you certainly could have picked a better source.

Like?

Brainyquote.

But if you want to post links for websites that promote foaming at the mouth stupidity, be my guest.

It's just you and your self-congratulatory pseudo-intellectualism. Yay you!

Want some examples of said stupidity?

Anti-Semitism!

Vaccine Hysteria!

Food Woo!

Energy Woo!

Big Pharma Conspiracy!

I'm not saying it was aliens, but it was aliens!

Vibration Woo!

Yet MORE Health Woo!

HAARP Weather Manipulation!

Chemtrails!

Marijuana Woo!

Autism Woo!

OH NO PHYSICS, HELP I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING !!!11!!1!

Aspartame Woo!

:Sing:

From the first link:

The target audience is the superficially-leftish end of the spectrum; the well-meaning but politically naive, and those who just don’t like to see the underdog kicked; from people who haven’t had the opportunity to acquire genuine critical thinking and/or research skills, to the histrionic-sanctimonious; the aspiring George Galloways; the would-be-cult-leaders.

I have a special loathing for the piece of disinformation, beloved of “The Mind Unleashed”, and oft repeated without reference to anything other than anecdote, that cannabis can cure cancer. Aside from anecdote never being a good basis for medical advice, this rubbish is just plain wrong, and could encourage people with cancer to disregard sound medical advice from oncologists. People have already been killed by this kind of thing.

...

Manny Schewitz, of Forward Progressives, writes that you “…dig down a little deeper as I have suggested and you’ll find Holocaust denialism and other anti-Semitism…”. I obviously agree with Schewitz on two points; that there is anti-Semitism at “The Mind Unleashed”, and that people should do a little digging for themselves.

Schewitz doesn’t provide an example of the anti-Semitism he’s talking about, but rather, alludes to the “gateway” nature of the types of conspiracy theories that “The Mind Unleashed” uses; i.e. their propensity to lead towards “anti-Semitism”, and conspiracy theories about “reptile people” and “chemtrails”. Again, I think people should do a little digging for themselves, and I do think that in this case, it’s not a difficult ask. However, I will still provide an example…

IMHO, the new Gold Standard in Conspiracy Theories is Chemtrails.

And yes, i know and have heard nationally recognized folks on the Left that are very very serious that Chemtrails are Military-Industrial Complex inspired attacks on Common People and are sponsored by... DUN DUN DUN! Who else? The Koch Brothers.

I love bantering with chemtrail believers on Facebook. People should at least try to think through a conspiracy theory a little. At the very least, it should make some sort of sense. Even if the government / military-industrial complex was inclined to mount some sort of attack on us (the entire US population), then air dispersal via commercial aircraft or military transports is wildly inefficient. Doesn't it make sense that they would head for water supplies and sources first?

[DKW 86 6,345]

I love bantering with chemtrail believers on Facebook. People should at least try to think through a conspiracy theory a little. At the very least, it should make some sort of sense. Even if the government / military-industrial complex was inclined to mount some sort of attack on us (the entire US population), then air dispersal via commercial aircraft or military transports is wildly inefficient. Doesn't it make sense that they would head for water supplies and sources first?

There you go being rational and all...

One of my best friends, known him 40 years+, The only time you will ever get his full attention is when you talk about AGW & Chemtrails. The man is very ardent about AGW. But the Chemtrails stuff, he is just out of his mind. He will get serious as a heart attack once you utter the term. Highly educated, Doctorate, highly successful, but once you cross the Chemtrail line, he will be off the rails the rest of the nite.

Edited March 31, 2015 by DKW 86

[homersapien 9,717]

I don't think Orwell was prophetic. He was just making observations about life and politics that have always been true.

I liked this one:

Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.

George Orwell

Edited March 31, 2015 by homersapien