Learning from George Orwell on His Birthday
My mom and I read The Writer’s Almanac every morning, and I’m sure that, when she sat down at her computer this morning and found that it’s the birthday of George Orwell, she must have thought: “Oh boy. I wonder how long it will take Craig to write a post on how dystopian our nation is becoming.” Answer: just a few minutes.
I’ll keep this short, because it’s so pointedly obvious. We live in a society in which truth is no longer valued over lies, where facts are just as good as fantasies, where science and fairy tales are regarded as equals.
If I had told you 10 years ago that the president of the United States would swear to the American people that, despite aerial photos proving the contrary, his was the largest inauguration crowd in history, or that millions of people voted illegally in the election, or that the murder rate’s higher than it’s been in the last 45 years, or any of dozens of others, you would have said that I was out of my mind. You likely would have said, quite correctly, that the very most important characteristic for a leader of a democracy is a basic sense of honesty and decency, and that anyone who clearly lacks that characteristic is immediately disqualified.
You’d probably have had a similar response to my prediction that each of the federal government departments that deal in scientific matters would be headed by people who have no understanding of basic science or respect for the subject.
OK, so what exactly happens when facts cease to matter? Will we all wind up in a fascist civilization like the one described in 1984? I’m not sure, but here are two points of which I’m absolutely certain:
• Where we are now is the first step in that direction.• No society elects to live in a totalitarian state; they end up there by thinking everything will turn out fine–until it doesn’t.
Per Orwell: “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” That means something very specific: we all need to be revolutionaries–before it’s too late.
Have a nice day. 🙂
“what exactly happens when facts cease to matter? Will we all wind up in a fascist civilization”
I think not, Craig. Trump’s problems with the truth has already substantially alienated the independents among us, and even his base has begun to erode. We’re only 5 months into his term. As the months roll by and the lies and misdeeds add up his ability to pressure congress, and his re-electibility as well, will dissolve.
The whole lies, facts and alternative facts discussion has made me wonder, like so many others, what is at the heart of this? An area of exploration was suggested to me by the frequent use of the words partisanship and loyalty. It occurred to me that the current use of these words has evolved, and they now have a more pejorative connotation than formerly, when situations are viewed from an ethical perspective.
One of the classical examples of so-called harmless lying is telling our significant other that they look good in some new way and we don’t actually believe it. The argument goes along the lines of little to no harm is done, and as a consequence we rationalize that it made them feel good and we saved ourselves from the potential of a minor conflict. For some reason, this thinking has expanded into areas where considerable harm is done to others, and yet it is still rationalized as a good thing because we are loyal to out tribe, even when our tribe is wrong.
In my personal business life, similar conflicts occasionally arose wherein those above me requested loyalty to a concept that was ethically bankrupt. I must admit that I did not often have the strength of a Gandhi and state they were wrong. I would generally recuse and refuse to be a part of whatever skulduggery was afoot. Unfortunately, I had to pay the rent. Our current party politics, under the guise of partisanship, is co-opting its members into an evil that would make those who raised us blanch.
I’m fascinated by the concept of and answering the same question differently, depending on whether under oath or not. That’s so incredibly self-serving that I wouldn’t blame Klaatu if his people said humanity has gotta go.
Whatever is afoot in DJT’s mind to provoke this continuous stream of prevarication might be an interesting subject area of study, but I see it as more problematic that many members of his party are willing to lie in nothing short of soul-damning quantities and label it loyalty. If this is indeed the new definition, then Americans need to learn to F@#$ loyalty.
We have a president who is narcissistic and Machiavellian in addition to being incompetent. But if he were thrown out of office, we could be worse off. The VP has a sense of values which is just as bad, but he is more competent and therefore would be more dangerous.
Hi Frank,
Nice to hear from you, you’ve been missing far too long!
I agree. Welcome back, Frank.
In the US the Federal gov’t has definite limitations and that is positive. Local leadership and individuals especially in the field of environmental stability are making remarkable strides. Machiavelli was not born yesterday and politics has never been synonymous with sainthood. Rather than wasting energy on the negative invest in positive endeavors, for example what in American society reflects Presidents such as Obama and Trump? A nation is rewarded leaders that reflect on the deepest level common values. Are honesty, moral decency, public welfare really the main drive of American society today?
You’re right that Pence is worse ideologically and therefore has the potential to be even more dangerous. But at least he’s not insane. It’s a hard call to make.
Craig
Very well expressed – and at long last we both seem to be in lock step agreement together on an important topic.
Predictably I am curious though; I am assuming that your comment, quote:
“we live in a society in which truth is no longer valued over lies, where facts are just as good as fantasies, where science and fairy tales are regarded as equals”
Is intended to apply with equal conviction across all peoples involved in all facets of life: or are there exceptions to your viewpoint? such as those enthusiastic supporters involved in the global (RE) Solar PV and Wind Energy Generation sector in one form or other, like you and me for example, who seemingly are quite comfortable pushing our carts along in straight lines, deftly ducking and deflecting critical scientific based questions about:
– global climate change and fossil fuel generated greenhouse gases (GHG);
– future global power generation (quantum) imperatives that MUST be satisfied for the continuance and modernisation of the world for ALL people;
– and most importantly, TECHNOLOGICALLY how this global catastrophe unfolding is able to be practically and fully mitigated for all time, over a foreseeable and measured timeframe.
On this CRITICAL subject, it might be that you and I (and others) have had it too good for too long and need to be challenged to bring out the best in our thinking capabilities.
Lawrence Coomber
Oh, my statement about truth/lies, etc. applies only to small bunch of inveterate liars. Unfortunately, these people happen to be in power right this minute. Sad!
🙂
Per Orwell: “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” That means something very specific: we all need to be revolutionaries–before it’s too late.
Some On Point comments about a serious and multi layered set of challenges that lay ahead of us – especially we Americans.
As You say Lawrence – I don t think it is un realistic nor it is negative thinking either to consider that perhaps Indeed we here and maybe other places have lulled ourselves into various stages of civic complacency and decay. We have had it very very good compared to many other people’s around the Globe. Time to re sharpen the SAWs in the Mind and Spirit and get with renewed commitment to doing better .
reaching Higher as a culture and society and recognizing that elections really do matter and engagement and being objectively informed is the foundation to a democratic modern society. Maybe we need to Polish up our Mirrors on the Wall some!! Clean up our reflections.
The Ringling Brothers Greatest show on Earth the Circus yes closed this year ….End of a ERA…
Sadly it has been replaced temporarily with a Disgusting Reality TV show of bombastic re runs of dubious and nebulous quality. Actually devoid of Quality but over flowing Toxic Chalices ! Poisoning non -productive chatter.
But for various reasons we allowed this to happen and its time to get out of Denial and construct a better system with higher standards so that damage control can be in place. Some things don ‘t need to be replicated !
Maybe its time for some serious Contemplation and correction of course and a re energized commitment to doing the right things in our daily endeavors and demanding more of our so called leaders , systems and institutions . We can’t reform them and expect them to serve us wisely if we our selves are not expecting and doing the same in our own individual actions . Our elected leaders are a reflection of who we may have slipped into becoming ….or allowed ourselves to slip into becoming out of mis placed anger , cultural decay, economic stress , etc.
Frank I concur with your frank assessment of the political situation and description of the Tweet in Chief posing as a President of the largest Free World Nation. It is despicable for sure.
In addition you are so correct in your assessment of the limitations and dangers in the Pence understudy. He has the deceitful skill sets to actually implement some more negative policies that would divide folks to a greater level most likely. A consummate insider packaged well.
Time magazine July 3rd Issue presents some good explanations and descriptions of the Seasoned legal team that is being formed by the Special Investigator . I find it both encouraging and most interesting that some of this legal experience is in prosecuting people involved in Eastern European money laundering schemes over the years. Some also have successful credentials and track records in turning co defendants into witnesses for the Government in high level money and fraud cases that resulted in convictions. It appears a serious effort is commencing …..
Surely this process will lead to more divisions among-st the public and counter claims as it works thru its long arduous task of un raveling some things to the Light of Day…where it goes it goes. So a ample supply of contradicting and self serving Tweets and other attempts of deflection will be bombarding all of us going forward.
A good outcome would be a step towards needed relief but we must do our part and renew our commitment to higher standards , reclaim and re invent them so that we dont sink this LOW again. It is out of character.
1984 was a thought provoking Book and Tale but we don t have to accept it or settle for a Dismal future like that , we as a people are much better than that Dark reality !
The Run Up to the Big Match has begun
I love the term “Tweeter in Chief” to describe the Donald.
The acronym, TiC is appropriate since it implies a blood sucking parasite.
Big money is dictating too much policy so the consolidated media is used to amplify equivocation and push specific agendas that are not in the interests of our society.
This is happening within the top 50 issues of our time all at once. That’s a lot manufactured equivocating, (lying) on top of the usual amount that humans engage in.
It’s not just the TiC, this behavior has seeped into every aspect of our lives. The TiC is a manifestation of unlimited money in politics.
Craig,
President Trump is far less a threat to the US style of democracy than many others in it’s history.
You may not like his policies, but as long as he adheres to his Oath of office and upholds the Constitution, he can do no lasting harm.
So far he’s shown no signs of imposing martial law, arresting members of Congress etc. He’s introduced no legislation remove the rights of US citizens or tried to suspend the Constitution.
‘Truth’ is a very odd commodity ! It varies in perspective and acceptance. Today’s ‘truth’ maybe tomorrows lie, while tomorrow’s ‘truth’ may in time become no longer accepted or “inoperative”.
We all have our faults. While you may think you don’t lie, are you always ready to let go of prejudice and accept unpleasant facts or inconvenient truth ? How often do we all, dismiss or brush away contrary opinions that may contradict what we want to be “true” ?
Often, we simply walk away rather than be forced to admit to ourselves we may be in error.
The President speaks in the style and vernacular of the common man, not a carefully groomed, media conscious, professional politician.
As an example, the NTY recently triumphantly denouced the President with the headline, “Trump caught lying again”.
On examination it would appear the President had enthused during an interview of “more than 1 million jobs created in his first 100 days in office”..
The NYT report was repeated with great delight by Steven Colbert and others, all denouncing the President as a liar.
However, on closer examination it turns out the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, advised the NYT the actual figure to be merely 968,800.
Lying ? Well if you are an enemy or Trump hater, I suppose there’s some pedantic accuracy in their claim, but in reality, people tend to round up figures in common speech.
So how truthful is the venerable New York Times, or Mr Colbert ?
Well, it would appear they have a rather large moat in their own eye. What the NYT didn’t reveal was the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics information qualified the statistic as “new job’s”, but also advised the true figure to be 1,214. 600 when adjusted for the expectation of jobs normally lost during that period. the The Bureau advised the NYT of the “true’, but the NYT elected to omit that information from the article.
Thus we see the old journalistic motto “never let the truth get in the road of a good story”, is very much alive and well at the NYT!
President Trump is given to evocative speech, but so are all US politicians, he’s just more enthusiastic.
Every American politician declares proudly “the US is the greatest democracy on earth” ! By what measure ? Only his own, but the US people nod and bask in the sentiment.
Craig, how often have you claimed the US is a nation globally admired for moral virtue and decency ?
The fact this isn’t true and never been true, doesn’t seem to alter your belief. You’d rather believe the lie, or more politely, delusion.
The President’s supporters understand his, and his style of speech. They understand his exaggerations and enthusiasms. As the recent elections show, these flaws haven’t hurt his base support.
U.S. reputation abroad is a mixed bag. In answer to a survey question posed to thousands of people around the globe: “What do you think is the greatest threat to world peace?” the number one answer (by a mile) is “The United States.” On the other hand, it’s also the number one answer to the question, “If you were going to emigrate, to what country would you like to go?”
Trump is widely regarded as a blend of tyrant, buffoon and lunatic, of course. The rest of the world is still in shock that a phenomenon like this could happen here.
Craig,
“the world is still in shock “.
Again,you are deluding yourself. The rest of the world just goes about it’s business. Many countries have, or have had, eccentric leaders,of whom Trump is a quite mild version.
Silent Running: Frank and MarcoPolo
Yours were great inputs, and how could I not concur?
Forget about 1984 though; it came and went and Orwell proved not be a Nostradamian at all.
Move on.
Let’s focus on 2084, the 10th anniversary of the year that by universal declaration all of the substantial contributing elements necessary to guarantee all people of the world, a prosperous and healthy life from cradle to grave had been implemented through new age technologies, and thoughtful libertarian based global government enacted policies.
Now there’s a very bold and optimistic prognostication; it feels much more uplifting to me than being beguiled and bombarded by Trump mania.
PS: The issue I talk about often: the tyranny of “personal / community / regional energy starvation” will be exemplified “in spades” yet again for me soon because I start another RE project in New Delhi on July 12th, and guess what – no one on this project will be self-indulgently wasting time musing about American presidents, past or present. Their focus will be elsewhere and thank god for that.
LOL
Lawrence Coomber
Lawrence,
Well said !
That Kim guy in the picture looks too happy to want to blow up the West coast…
We need an international science based endeavor to trump over all this silly American fashion stuff – truth be told.
My oh My the Enchanting Power and allure of T I C themed discussion. Thank you Mark Walsh that is a good extension of brother Frank s Tweeter in Chief.
Once again Craig you have awakened the sleeping or observing and the Un notified of new comments to the discussion – the notifications dont come any more. Are you being trumped by the TIC Craig ???
Yes Lawrence is probably right and like many he is tired of all this TIC talk – tic tac toe the game was better! Good wishes in your Re project in India – you are on right side of things there as they are cutting back on their imports of Australian coal. Big time so business for you minus coal should be robust.
So Mate Marco you warn those politicos in the part of Aussie land where that Indian energy trading co begs for tax holidays from Aussie Government. Their big coal export project is very shaky.
Make them un sweeten the deals as the Indian co has financial risks the Aussies dont need to subsidize . I forget the name of that firm but you know who I refer to.
You are right Lawrence TIC or trumpster or Trumpet mania is a losing deal….. lots of bluster but no real substance. Life goes on.
last night he was sorta booed off the stage in Cedar Rapids Iowa for speaking badly of wind energy. Iowa now gets over 36 % of their Elec Energy from wind. And $ 2 Billion more is in the pipeline. over 6,000 good jobs too and lots of pig farmers getting fatter off their land leases. So the Pork is flowing all around.
But the TIC would never know.
The TIC I like that , thanks Mark, TIC made another wild claim about bird deaths from wind . The newspaper corrected him in the papers the next day with some Real facts not fake ones. They are that more Birds are killed by High rise Buildings than by wind turbines by a long long measure. US Fish and Wild life stats were published and yes those tall buildings and Trump towers Kill lots more Birds and it is not even close its a Real Blow out.
so the letters to a couple of Energy Journals posed the question.
Is our new Commander in Chief and builder of many many towers a Bird Killer!!! He is now the Bird Killer in Chief perhaps ! He has been UNMASKED as they claim!
Excuse us folks but we just can t make this stuff UP – its just part of the reality TV show or what ever it is coming soon to your screen.
Robert nice to hear from you – perhaps Mr KIM could invite Bird Killer in Chief to come build Towers in Korea – Trump Towers for Peace deal stranger deals have happened – that would be the big Rub for sure ! They could both sing together a new song or two!
LOL His legacy as a Carnival CON man grows with every appearance , but for now his new moniker is BIRD Killer in Chief
This one was for you Craig ! enjoy
Mate Marco , Lawrence and Frank one last bit of news from Bird Killer in chief – he is also defunding DOE nuclear programs by 31 % which negatively impacts SMR s work.
NU Scale folks are getting new mixed signals on their Idaho project …the one we have mentioned before.
maybe he is working on becoming the leading Atom Smasher in Chief ! or something else …
Once the bankruptcy dust settles in Georgia and South Carolina on the 4 nukes there and it comes time for the borrowers to repay their federal Loans to DOE for under writing the plants etc under Obama ….the TIC will have a royal Fit once he learns that his punching bag Obama actually provided DOE loans for these two projects.
so the TIC will be fit to be tied he has to maybe write off a loan made by Obama – sweet revenge perhaps but I am sure it was Un Planned just a bad break …So there w be some Tweets on that .
We may get GAMMA Tweets or Alpha Tweets of Radon laced ones who knows?
TIC no get real energy policy …. spent too much Time being a Bird Killer ! DODO BIRD Killer takes on Atom GENIE s
Well Silent Running, its always good to hear from you of course and I am re-reading your posts again now to see if I can figure out precisely what you have said, but I admit I am struggling a bit! LOL
All I can say is I hope you havent abandoned your prescription medicines though in this particulary confused era in favour of organic vegetables? Its obviously not working for you!
It didnt work well for me either!
LOL
Lawrence Coomber