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The 1984 Effect

12/21/2011

4 Comments

 
The dystopia is a dying art.  Popularized by authors such as George Orwell (1984), Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451), and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (Cat’s Cradle), dystopian literature sacrifices the popular feel-good storyline and happy ending for provocative commentary and an argument for social or political change.  Works following the dystopian model make use of social outsiders, antiheroes, and intellectual misfits.  They make examples of their characters.  Good people die.  The corrupt do their worst.  The world as we know it comes to an end.

These days, however, people don’t want to read anything depressing.  They want good news.  They want happy endings.  They want to escape.

And that is precisely the problem.

We all have our individual tastes in fiction, and that’s fine.  Just the same, we must take a closer look at the social complacency current trends reflect.  More specifically, we must ask if these trends reveal simply a population looking for mindless entertainment, or if they might instead be an indication of something much more nefarious and telling.

The 1984 Effect is the connection I see between social complacency and trends in literature, most notably, the virtual death of dystopia and similar genres.  I argue that we as a society have been brainwashed into believing escapism is the key to a healthy, happy life, and with that we have sacrificed free, progressive thought and intellectual stimulation.  Like the characters in Orwell’s 1984, society has been taught to go with the flow, do what it is told, and question issues just long enough perhaps to see the political backlash and fall back quickly into line.  Occupy Wall Street is the perfect example.  Many of us want change, but lack the initiative, the tools, or the backbone to manifest it.  Moreover, our minds are in the wrong place.

This is not the time for escapism, as tempting the bait may be.  This is the time for assessment, reflection, and problem solving.  This is the time to be reading the literature about the times.  It is time we reject complacency and once again begin looking toward the future.

I challenge you, the modern reader, to embrace the dystopia and all that it stands for.  Read for fun, but also read for progressivism and intellectual discourse.  Consider the depth of the profound ending (rather than the happy one) and all it might do to effect the change we’re all so desperate for.  Let’s make a difference in this world, you and I, one book at a time.  After all, without taking a long, hard look at what needs to change, we will never make it happen. 

Start your reading revolution with World-Mart, the dystopia of our time. Available through amazon in both paperback and electronic formats.

Interested in effecting change?  Let's talk!
4 Comments
Ray Getzinger
12/21/2011 10:44:15 am

Unfortunately there are too many who would not read dystopian literature. I like a happy ending provided the is a struggle to get there. One of my favorite novels is Suzanne Forster;s THE LONELY GIRLS CLUB. It has a happy ending for the protagonist, but not so much for every one else in the book. Also there was a struggle for the protagonist to reach that happy ending. I like it when the novels I read show the truth about politics, organized religion, and the economic screw job. One of my favorite non fiction books is Naomi Klein's SHOCK DOCTRINE a book about sticking it to thee middle class until the economy collapses and then the predators grabbing the spoils.

Too often in discussion groups politics and religion are off limits. As long as there is a healthy debate and not an attempt at personal criticism or as the language of the web, FLAMING, it is the highest form of discussion.

Ray

Reply
Lois D. Brown link
1/4/2012 05:36:43 am

Hi, I’m Lois Brown. I recently published a book called <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115257">CYCLES</a>
and am looking for people interested in reviewing it. I would like to give you a free copy of the book and enter you in a contest to win a $50 ihome charging device and a $25 itunes gift card. Send me an email and I’ll send you the details. www.loisbrown@digis.net
By the way, I’m your newest blog follower! Feel free to stop by my blog at <a href="http://idevourkidbooks.blogspot.com/">Life of Lois</a>

Best,
Lois
<a href="http://www.loisdbrown.com">www.loisdbrown.com</a>

Reply
Lisa Lane link
1/4/2012 06:16:57 am

Lois, I'm terribly sorry, but your e-mail came back as not deliverable. You can contact me directly at Lisa_Lane@cerebralwriter.com.

Reply
best essay writing services link
5/25/2017 06:02:23 pm

I agree with you that dystopia is now a dying heart, and it's making me sad. How I wish all artists and passionate writers would unite and make an effort to reintroduce this to the younger generation. Because I feel that it what is lacking! If we will teach the young ones to write in dystopia style, I am sure they'll love it! They just need to be exposed in this matter.

Reply



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