Post: #76

(05-22-2016 11:52 AM)XPQ22 Wrote:  Another reason I can't stomach it is that it's just so painfully humorless and serious. Even a dark as night novel like "Sophie's Choice" had some really amusing parts as well.

That was also why I preferred Yevgeny Zamyatin's We to Ayn Rand's Anthem, even though they're otherwise fairly similar.

Post: #77

(05-30-2017 08:27 AM)Blaster Wrote:  

(05-29-2017 08:38 AM)Chris Brown Wrote:  Important book but not really exciting. I see parallels between Big Brother and God. What is more totalitarian than religion? Does Winston die in the end?

Totalitarian implies use of state power to dominate every aspect of life within the state. You can bend the definition a bit, but it's hard to make parallels to religion.

The difference between Big Brother and God? For the Christian God, anyway, the difference is huge. God is Big Brother in the sense that your conscience is Big Brother. Christianity is focused on the individual. Your relationship with God is personal and enforced primarily by your own faith. Within a given church you may face threats of social ostracism and excommunication, but that is much different from society-wide totalitarian power. A particular church might be totalitarian, though we typically use the term "cult" to describe such churches.

I still believe organised religions were the ancients way of controlling people.

God is everywhere and is always watching. Likewise no one ever sees Big Brother/God.
The Devil is Goldstein, the eternal enemy.
Thought crime, envy commiting adultery of the heart.
Doublethink. Noahs ark and every animal fitting into the boat.
Hell is room 101 for sinners.

Post: #78

(05-30-2017 02:44 AM)Chris Brown Wrote:  ^I concur. Now I want to tackle Brave New World if I can find it at the library. I have the Great Gatsby, is it worth a read?

The Great Gatsby is a powerful warning against one-itis.

Post: #79

(05-30-2017 01:10 PM)Chris Brown Wrote:  I still believe organised religions were the ancients way of controlling people.

Imagine living back then when the average life expectancy was maybe 30-35 and most kids died before reaching adulthood, let alone during the plagues. Life was pretty bleak unless you clung to the idea of an afterlife.