George Orwell's 1984: Why it still matters - BBC News

From reality TV show Big Brother to warnings about surveillance, George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four has had a lasting impact on modern society.
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[@AlanWattResistance]

_[comment removed for thought crime]_

[@FightCollective]

If you are even allowed a comment in the first place. You certainly aren't allowed on the BBC news site!

[@tracetrace2147]

Neuralink is the pathway to Orwellian Civilization. Government can read and controlling your mind.

[@davidhenry1156]

The "powers that be" always telegraph their punches before they're thrown"

[@southernberean8166]

🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@madmaxrerisen]

Classic comment lol kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZPcYmeMpN5qY8k

[@terminsane]

The BBC warning about big brother. Doesn't get much more Orwellian than that.

[@kanehbosm420]

Exactly.

[@instamdgram]

00:52 after all "the texture of the 'Ministry of Truth" was based on his time working for the BBC"!

[@sophiab2065]

haha

[@sindoom8213]

I dont want scared you, but If British still cooperate with CCP, we all will like in 1984 reality. I am Chinese, I know this too clearly.

[@sindoom8213]

@stray dog7 you say about listening and watching not for keep the gov's power, but we are, they are listening and watching for keep their power to slave us, do you know 8964? when somebody do something we should think what he want finally, the motivation decided the real objective. I am right?

[@markbagshot277]

BBC = Ministry Of Truth.

[@JeytzonFierro]

Isn't it ironic? 😂

[@Maperator]

Same! I thought so too

[@George_Orwell]

...Certainly !!

[@colliric]

Yep.... Lol.

[@DD_MENEN]

😭😭😭

[@thetntsheep4075]

Step 1: *grab popcorn* Step 2: *scroll through comments section*

[@moonhoopoe760]

All very predictable 'O the irony!' and and so on and so forth.

[@sircliff323]

I don't eat popcorn it's bad for you

[@madmaxrerisen]

More in comments, than we ever get from BBC. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZPcYmeMpN5qY8k

[@KevinMarzelino]

Thx

[@dylanpickle7292]

Ik it’s so annoying seeing people trying to make this political lol

[@Gabbie44]

It's so ironic that BBC is uploading this 😂😂 i don't think this video is supposed to warn us, more like bragging about it.

[@Morningstar-xz5bl]

yes they tell you first what they are going to do so karma wont come back on them, its a masonic thing, so things are going to get really bad now, its all in the book of revelations, get right with God, pray, read the bible stock up on some food and money

[@tracetrace2147]

Neuralink is the pathway to Orwellian Civilization. Government can read and controlling your mind.

[@sleeexs]

they dont even care anymore

[@sleeexs]

@@Morningstar-xz5bl new testament is bullocks

[@davidhenry1156]

The "elite" always show what is coming before they do it! They mock everybody by doing it".

[@tezmard3003]

This is the most ironic video I’ve ever seen in my life, big brother explaining what big brother does

[@ThBMc]

Exactly, thus is what I was thinking

[@Prod.brownking956]

Yup. That’s what they do though. They talk about a enemy or a problem to make it look like they’re not part of it. It’s like putting something right in your face so you won’t realize that’s not right.

[@jamessherwood214]

hey at least they have comments on there vids unlike other news sites

[@colourinmyrainbow]

spot on! 😀

[@ryanjwarner]

Exactly what I was thinking too, doesn't help that most of the video is just a close-up of him talking. it's got that "big brother is watching you" energy

[@betoortiz6098]

1984 is no longer fiction. It is everyday reality.

[@tracetrace2147]

Neuralink is the pathway to Orwellian Civilization. Government can read and controlling your mind.

[@napoleonbonaparteempereurd4676]

You are insane

[@tracetrace2147]

@Klik B That's the thing I wanna overcome, but not sure how to do it since I am such a socially awkward regular folk

[@jondow7401]

Woah we live in a society

[@caspervestergaard2430]

Beto Ortiz You obviously havent read the book, or your life is insane paranoia.

[@MegumiHayashida]

This novel was not supposed to be an instruction guide. Yet here we are, witnessing prophetic events...

[@sideshowbob6416]

It's not prophetic it's just the logical conclusion of where society is headed

[@marthab-c5226]

Then a revolution must come. We still have time.

[@adrithmanvik1853]

You're so dumb did you even read the book.

[@madmaxrerisen]

A year later, 1984 is 2020. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZPcYmeMpN5qY8k

[@arpitabiswas2884]

True...much like Marx's Thesis on communism!

[@CorvusCorax.]

George Orwell: "1984 is a terrible year" 2020: "Hold my beer..."

[@MelkorTolkien]

The book doesn't actually take place in 1984. There are subtle hints throughout the novel that the actual year is not knowable, and with history being rewritten and even erased the setting can be at any point in time.

[@cocomarchant1486]

Nah 1984 much worse mate

[@CorvusCorax.]

@@cocomarchant1486 Yup. Hindsight has 20/20 vision 👀

[@cocomarchant1486]

@@CorvusCorax. ok

[@denisepleines1513]

2022 hold my whiskey....

[@Tony-Blake]

Ironically, we now live in a combination of 1984 and Brave New World.

[@terminsane]

A bit of all of them. Fahrenheit 451- because censorship is being demanded by people, and only provided by government after the public demands it. Check out Philip K Dick's Electric Dreams, episode titled "Kill All Others". It's exactly what's happening right now. The media is pumping out Rorschach tests: they just start claiming people and things are racists, and if you're one of the critical thinkers who questions why? You're now an "other" yourself. Only an "other" would question this obvious course of action. Others are very dangerous terrorists. You see a woman running from a mob in the streets? You try to help her? Why are you trying to help an other? Just wait till the police get here!

[@Tony-Blake]

@@terminsane Good point, though you are describing the FAUX-type commercial outlets and conspiracy-theory wrong-wing channels, which thrive by stoking the paranoid fears and resentful hatreds of poorly-educated bigots .

[@terminsane]

@@Tony-Blake no, I'm talking about what happens when government decides what is true, and bans "misinformation". Cigarettes used to be prescribed by doctors. The surgeon general used to recommend smoking to maintain your health... You're not an anti-science conspiracy theorist are you? You're not trying to hurt people's health by telling them cigarettes cause cancer are you? The science, and scientists agree that smoking improves your health, so why are you spreading misinformation that will stop people from smoking? Did you know lobotomy was a cutting edge scientific advancement in the treatment of ADHD? If your child can't sit and pay attention in school, he should really get a lobotomy. Why would you deny science and refuse to help your own child? You're basically abusing your own child by refusing to give him the medically acceptable, scientifically proven treatment for his condition. Did you see Obama officially apologized in behalf of the US government for when it was infecting orphans with radioactive isotopes to study radiation poisoning on children? Are you a conspiracy theorist for saying it happened before govt admitted to it? Or am I a conspiracy theorist now for pointing out Obama apologized for it? We would ban people for claiming it was happening, before Obama apologized for it. Then we get to ban people who still think it was a conspiracy theory, for claiming the government DIDNT do it when Obama is on video admitting it did happen. Then with the advent of AI deepfake videos, we can just put everyone in prison since nobody will know the truth and you can just call everyone a liar Should we have banned "conspiracy theorists" who claimed the Flynt water crisis isn't over? Government officially said the water is fixed and drinkable again. Even that bright purple water. You're not a conspiracy theorist claiming the government is lying to people, Telling them to drink poison water, are you?

[@terminsane]

@@Tony-Blake global cooling is real. (At least it was in the 90s when every newspaper and scientist said it was). Scientists published lots of studies proving the earth is headed for another ice age, perhaps within our lifetime. Should we ban everyone who rejects this notion? Should we prohibit funding of science that seeks to prove "global warming" conspiracy? What about now, 20 years later? Do we now ban everyone who was promoting global cooling, and unban yesterday's conspiracy theorists who are now declared correct by government? What about the people who said there's no WMDs in Iraq? Every intelligence agency said we needed to bomb Iraq, because they know for a fact Saddam is on the edge of developing nukes and chemical and biological weapons of every kind. Anyone who suggests that Saddam probably doesn't have WMDs and this is just a ploy to start another foreign war? CONSPIRACY THEORIIIIST! BAAAAN HIIIIM!

[@terminsane]

Trump is government. Trump said there's no collusion. You're not a conspiracy theorist, are you? Why should people be allowed to spread dangerous lies on the internet?

[@naejin]

1984 was my favorite book that was mandatory to read in High School...and that was 30 years ago. It's continued relevance is astounding.

[@TJYTSx]

I’m English and this book was never even mentioned in the public school I attended.

[@jr3753]

@@TJYTSx its mandatory to read here in the US.

[@AlanWattResistance]

@@TJYTSx Animal Farm was read in secondary schools in the 90s.

[@SM-ly5tf]

@@TJYTSx That's so weird, what exam board did you take for english Literature?

[@TJYTSx]

saaj90 I’m not sure the only books I remember studying were ‘of mice and men’ and Romeo and Juliet, I guess because those two had films they could stick on the TV rather than engage with kids school was a fuckin joke, if I ever have children I’ll never send them to public school

[@Rolletti21]

EVERYONE needs to read this AMAZING book. We are living in an Orwellian time at this very moment. This book will be outlawed soon.

[@znxster]

It is one of those "must reads" that is on everyone's list. It has been banned under Soviet Russia back in the 50s/60s. I don't think it will ever be outlawed in the sense you mean though :-)

[@Rolletti21]

@@znxster the way censorship is running rampant throughout different countries of the world... I do believe they will outlaw it.

[@SM-ly5tf]

Bullshit. I'll wager against that. If this book get outlawed in the uk in the next 50 years, I'll give you £1000, if not you give me. I'll come back in 50 years to collect my grand

[@makeromaniagreatagain9697]

@@SM-ly5tf let's do it like this: if the book gets outlawed in UK, you give me 1000£. If it doesn't, you give me just 100£. So, what do you say?

[@SM-ly5tf]

@@makeromaniagreatagain9697 Fair game. Stick to it if your a man. Give me a time period too. Dont want to be collecting the money on my deathbed.

[@therealmaskriz5716]

The Irony.

[@jeffmilligan]

Let that be a lesson to you BBC. He was talking about YOU.

[@guadalupesalgado5604]

I came here because I was watching video about how it was talking about the watchtower!! JW's

[@geertgietman]

I have read it at 15 years old, it was difficult but I never regretted because I had knowledge that is very valuable in today’s society.

[@iac92]

1984 is no longer fiction. It is propaganda.

[@theblackhundreds7124]

Lol. BBC be telling the truth in plain sight about themselves.

[@StephPH85]

biased opinion?

[@theblackhundreds7124]

BBC, George Orwel used to work for the BBC and the fact is, the ministry of truth is based from you. In the book, he talks about a much more advanced form of propaganda and how it was beyond the Soviet union. In fact, it was ridiculing the Soviet Union and comparing it as stepping stone, and amateurs compared to the "nations" they were in.

[@johnneville403]

2020 - 'Silence is Violence'. You're were spot on, George.

[@maureenpirone3658]

1984 was required reading when I was in middle school in the 1950's

[@tonyjones9442]

Reloaded. So many negative comments last time.....even when non political people see through the BBC and Victoria Derbyshire, the BBC has a serious problem.

[@harsarligan6665]

This comment has been vaporized by the thot police

[@harsarligan6665]

Mark Lewis THOT POLICE

[@EdMcCornhole]

Your not allowed to say " thot" it's sexist , but only from heterosexual white guys who like trump.

[@therealgaben5527]

@Ed McClucksky ?

[@johnfoltz8183]

"fact checking," would say that this is not true.

[@andrewcole6367]

The BBC are Orwellian. When will the BBC start talking about the Robin Tilbrook Brexit court case I wonder ?

[@kirksummerwill5029]

Weeks ago? www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-31754733

[@midgetporn4878]

Kirk Summerwill Your link just proves his point The BB€ is a joke

[@SomalianDuke]

Facepalm*

[@karlmall]

_"1984"_ should be made into a movie another time. But _this_ time it should be adapted as a detailed TV-series, just like _"A Handmaid's Tale"_ .

[@ansonthai4709]

I have an exam on 1984 tomorrow lol

[@mgithaiga1]

good luck

[@HiClassHarlow]

How was the book, and how did you do with the exam?

[@mgithaiga1]

@@HiClassHarlow I actually haven't read the book

[@ansonthai4709]

@@HiClassHarlow If there is hope, it lies in the proles.

[@LEO-xo9cz]

Just remember that you saw this on the ministry of truth's channel.

[@kennyb6591]

Orwell just disintegrated from the centrifugal force.

[@RP-gl2mq]

The irony of the BBC posting this

[@gregmorris5010]

The parallel between the BBC and Newspeak with all their propaganda and politically correct language is striking so this is a bit ironic coming from them lol.

[@blazednlovinit]

"BB-Speak" (British boardcast/Big brother speak)

[@ZEK.0]

We’re literally living the book.

[@Oligoogletookmyname]

119 dislikes? Doubtful. Censoring the response to a criticism of censorship. Now that's Orwellian.

[@marcusaetius9309]

A bit ironic that the BBC has a piece on this.....

[@mielerodriguez5678]

Whose comments got scrubbed?

[@Johnthemod222]

I can’t believe the BBC had the gumption to make this clip haha

[@gethcreator751]

BBC=Ministry of Truth

[@vatsdimri3675]

China is already 1984, India is slowly becoming the same.

[@comrade3186]

No, india and all other corporate controlled countries are already living 1984.

[@WheelOfThought]

Lmfao. Sure and BBC is epitome of truth.

[@winterrising8738]

@nehem Yes definitely after seeing Sky News getting banned

[@Sdea1903]

the bbc talking about 1984, fuck me i have seen it all

[@manosgioulis9427]

this aged well

[@benbow7]

I put a comment on the previous version of this last week but it went down the memory hole.

[@radking9854]

all the people saying "We live in 1984" fails to realise that by having the option to read 1984 proves we dont live in a censored world, atleast not of INGSOC standards.

[@florinivan6907]

There are degrees of totalitarian control. Venezuela is a totalitarian nation but due to its very inneficient security service the actual level of control is limited. Then you have North Korea. Plus is it possible that the 'system' is posting comments that create the impression of freedom of thought in order to fool the common man?'Well if 1984 was real there wouldn't be so many comments about it.' When in fact only 1% of comments are by real people. Not saying its the case here but it can be in others. The security services can very easily manipulate social media to create an impression.

[@jy8231]

The irony of this vid being by the BBC.....

[@roberthill7885]

NO HATE SPEECH. NO MALICIOUS COMMUNICATIONS. DO NOT GROSSLY OFFEND.

[@romanpackham8471]

the sheer irony dripping off this is tangible, it just refilled my drink right infront of me!

[@garethbeare7319]

I read '1984' by George Orwell' in, well, 1984. I've also read it since then. Eric Blair's critique of unexamined human false optimism is as satirically relevant as it was in 1948.

[@caiquefrancis]

hi there! was it very current for you back in 1984 when you first read it?

[@Papa_Khan]

Feel like 1984 should be assigned reading in high school. Animal farm is good but 1984 is so much more relevant

[@rufioh]

Isn’t this a reupload?

[@mielerodriguez5678]

Yep. With a clean slate of comments. So I just posted again.

[@AlanWattResistance]

The BBC are back for more!

[@bladerunnerblues2501]

The BBC talking about censoring speech, pushing propaganda, and criticising people who don’t think the way they should, is so ironic

[@lankystudent]

They always tell us that diversity is our strength. They never tell us why.

[@jeanwallace1549]

Darren Bywater Diversity is very much like income tax no one wants it but government punishment is extreme if you don’t pay it. PAYE was also supposed a short term fix. Establishment Lies

[@sophiab2065]

yups

[@benbow7]

If diversity is strength then is unity weakness?

[@gethcreator751]

@@benbow7 no and not comparable We can have unity without mixing

[@sonofsomerset1695]

Diversity was escourted by police to throw rocks at other police, women and children in Oldham, all caught on camera yet no arrests and no media reporting, because it was from a religious group that is clearly above the law. That's "diversity" for you.

[@narrativequestion]

is the ministry of truth trying to assert some sort of double think?

[@sophiab2065]

yups

[@Andrewx4]

BBC don't do irony. But If it they did...

[@theaquarian5849]

You would know, oh Ministry of Propaganda.

[@lou626]

I dont think winston is a ""hero"" he's just the protagonist of his own story

[@klj2382]

I had to read this book in 6th grade, 25 years ago. Needless to say the book was pretty hard to comprehend. Maybe my teacher was using her short opportunity to warn us what may happen in the future.

[@jamesunsworth6865]

George Orwell was the greatest Author of the 20th Century, my favourites are Homage To Catalonia, and Burmese Days, where in my opinion he has his “ Road to Damascus “ experience. 1984, all true, is now FF...Ing Game Show.

[@robwhittall]

I'm really surprised BBC have opened themselves to comments on this!!! They're deplorable when it comes to bias and propaganda.

[@peregrineslim4446]

Meanwhile Julien Assange is in Belmarsh Prison because the British justice system delivered a political judgement on the European Arrest Warrant.

[@monakw]

I heard that they poisoned him is it true?

[@jeanwallace1549]

@monakw if you heard on BBC Probably part of the dept of truth “that’ll be a lie then”

[@davet11]

@@monakw they had an operative take a video of him just after he was incarcerated and they've just released that after he was admitted to hospital to make it look like he's ok. His father has been refused visits in hospital due to two doctors by his bed.

[@elizabethlane8455]

The BBC, What a joke truth mixed with lies .

[@proudsonofalgeria8837]

Why you post this video again after it's been removed two days ago.

[@terminsane]

I don't think they like our comments. Probably hoping we don't bother commenting again on the reupload

[@mielerodriguez5678]

@@terminsane fat chance

[@heretoforeunknown]

The British government and most of the press have their 1984 playbooks well learned and in force.

[@brianrunyon266]

First read it in high school. Rediscovered it thanks to several audio recordings Audible had in stock, even bought one of them.

[@ashapanwar2991]

Ironically, the big brother is telling the truth through its Ministry of TRUTH.

[@adamhodgson8287]

this aged fabulously

[@fredo1070]

Newspeak + Ingsoc = BBC

[@napoleonbonaparteempereurd4676]

Mindlessly and endlessly repeating this message you wrote = Not thinking critically

[@Gforcemtb]

The bbc even trying to cover this is a thoughtcrime in itself.

[@athenamissinghome619]

This video is DOUBLE THINK

[@wongijen9167]

No, the BBC isn't big brother. The fact that the comments here can openly criticise and dislike their video proves that they don't have the same power as he does

[@maxbarker8625]

It's wierd that the comments section of these videos are the only thing what bring back my faith In humanity

[@GorgeousMerc]

Always found it Rich that this came from BBC

[@dariorud]

I have some feeling that this video is going to disappear soon

[@domandkels3065]

Watching this in 2021 🥺

[@monakw]

Can anybody link me to the film please?🎞🎞🎞🎞🎞🎞🎞🎞🎞🎞🎞🎞 Thank you

[@narrativequestion]

google 1984 screen adaptation.

[@funkyalfonso]

monakw The clips are from the 1954 BBC play starring Peter Cushing. It can be seen on youtube.

[@monakw]

@@funkyalfonso thanks man. I read the book (my favorite version) I have seen all the film versions. It's always good to see them again. Especially now. Thanks again. Hang in there baby

[@fredrik8500]

Practically everything Orwell wrote is still as - if not more - relevant today.

[@blazednlovinit]

This was brave of you, BBC.

[@normanlegend4936]

A employee must have escaped the dungeon to broadcast this

[@napoleonbonaparteempereurd4676]

@@normanlegend4936 Orwell worked for the BBC. So calm down K?

[@paulgibbons2320]

My comment was scrubbed 😂😂😂😂 hilarious.

[@kayoss2306]

Same

[@jeavon69]

War is peace, Freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength

[@topskek9786]

It physically hurts me realizing that people who think 1984 is a cautionary tale are the same people who think they should rewrite history and add minorities and LGBT representation in historical adaptations while also cancelling people who don't agree with their world view.

[@BloodAndGutsTV]

The BBC enforces the very things George Orwell wrote about.

[@thomasdrysdale4240]

How ironic of the BBC to post this

[@semihcorbaci]

The truth hurts. Thanks for this significant and meaningful video, dear BBC. I read this book nearly 3 years ago in English (my native language is Turkish btw), and I got really critical lessons from it. Broadened my view of life in the sociological context.

[@lukethejunglist2282]

Considering you just addressed the BBC as “dear” I think you need to have a read of that book again matey

[@zamorapetals7996]

Cat Got Ya Tongue forreal 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@zamorapetals7996]

The bbc is part of the big brother. How have you not realised this? The media is big brother

[@tristanclark246]

WE ARE LITERALLY LIVING THIS BUT WE WILL PREVAIL!

[@himdude9637]

Where is Brexit?

[@axelhyltan]

Bbc would love to turn the UK in to 84

[@stoneyard100]

Is it just me or is there some irony in the BBC telling us the relevancy of 1984.

[@Oligoogletookmyname]

I'd laugh at the irony if the BBC wasn't so terrifyingly Orwellian

[@kylemc0254]

The only thing george orwell was wrong about was the date!

[@Batmanthe3rd]

Covid1984 #DefundtheBBC

[@mg_claymore8611]

Irony is lost on the BBC huh

[@Victory..I]

Big Brother Corporation

[@user-nd5vi2lo8w]

Nowadays the reality has surpassed fiction. Orwell wasn't such a big pessimist.

[@blazednlovinit]

According to the BBC, he lacked vision/imagination.

[@karenrogers]

Today's reality.

[@user-zh3ke3eu3r]

ironic coming from BBC like bro 😳

[@jmundi2002]

It matter so much because We are living in 1984

[@roddychristodoulou9111]

When I used to live in London there was a report on the news that said if you pay a visit into central London your photo is likely to be taken over 300 times .

[@Piratebreadstick]

2 +2 =5, Of course, it is, because the party says so! Oh, the party also says that anyone can be a woman as long as they identify as one.

[@johnfoltz8183]

In America, you watch TV In Soviet Russia, TV watches you.

[@JoaoSoares-rs6ec]

I read the book, a truly concerning and accurate description of what is going on, a warning that every one should read

[@AlanWattResistance]

Now read: "Brave New World". Both books combined describe modern society.

[@JoaoSoares-rs6ec]

@@AlanWattResistance I have read it, recomend Fahrenheit 451, it describes key aspects of modern society very well,

[@inlovehusband]

BBC Needs to rewatch this and learn what they're doing and actually become a media for the people not the governments control narrative!

[@iahelcathartesaura3887]

It matters more than ever now, bc we are living in it! Esp you there in UK 😢😠

[@wheremylifego3790]

And now look ..! 🙈we're fucked BIG TIME

[@Larkinchance]

The world has embraced the smart phone not realizing that the smart phone is a tele-screen that you carry along with you.. They have already laid down the foundation for a police state.

[@diannh2894]

And the U.S. is illegally getting all of it as we speak

[@matthewwalters60022]

ironic when the BBC are talking about 1984

[@MaysamKiani]

BBC = Big Brother Channel