The last time I read the George Orwell's 1984 (which was first published, by the way, in 1949) was in August 2014.
I try to read that book every 3-5 years. I actually have 4 copies, my favourite is a tattered paperback that my wife used in college. The next time I read it, it will certainly be a digital text.
I first read 1984 some 45 years ago ... it seemed like a dystopian fantasy then, and it frightened me to think that such things could actually, some day in the distant future, become reality. Every time I've read the book (and that has been many times), it seems closer to reality than ever. Now, the propaganda and surveillance state (which, by the way, in Orwell's book is perpetually at war) that the book depicts is actually less frightening than what has actually been done since 2001.
For example, part of the state control Orwell described was to have "telescreens" present at all times, even in people's houses ... the object was not to watch everyone, all the time. It was to make everyone know that they could be watched anywhere at any time. It was a mind-control device.
And, today, if you have a cell phone and a smart tv, especially an Amazon Alexa or Google Home device, information about you is being collected. In all likelihood, it will never be used against you (except to make money), but ... it's better keep your ass in line.
Conform. Keep your ass in line. And, I know you do.
So do I. :-)
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