socratic seminar

I think what they’re doing in state Oceana is genius. I mean Big Brother, the name and face that led the totalitarian state of Oceana, gave a false impression that the government was not only spying in on its citizens, but also lying to and controlling their minds as a means of “security”. It’s just incredible how they have so much power to brain wash so many people. It’s very hard to take away language and limit it. Also, to make people fall in their trap and brain wash each and person because everyone has opinions and to do so they cut words out of their vocabulary and limit their words. People can’t use words to express themselves. They can’t say how they feel at all or think of words to say. These people are basically robots, they have a time and schedule for everything and boundaries to everything they do. Everybody’ talking in newspeak hiding all thoughts and feelings. In class we discussed the question “should citizens be prepared to give up personal freedoms and privacy during a national crisis?” I think when national crisis occurs you don’t sit there and think if your freedom is worth giving up for or if the government should get in your life. In reality no one’s really prepared for national crisis, no one wants to live scared. When national crisis occurs you have to do what you have to do to be safe, whether it’s giving up your privacy or not. When you’re in crisis nothing but your safety should matter. Would you rather have your personal freedom and privacy and be scared of crisis your whole life or give your personal freedom away for your own safety? I mean yes it’s uncomfortable but in reality you won’t be watched unless you’re suspicious.