preview

1984 Technology Essay

Decent Essays

From telephones and computers to digital cameras and GPS systems, it is clear that the expansion of technology has developed rapidly throughout the years. Every year there seems to be new and appealing innovations taking over the market. Whether it is a new camera model or a cell phone that fits in the palm of your hand, we notice how much technology can advance in only a couple of years - sometimes even months. It has always been a question if perhaps these new forms of technology are rotting our brains and making us become more dependent on them; it is hard to think where technology will take us years from now. At times, especially with the modern generation, it seems like people do not use technology for its potential for moral …show more content…

Doing so allowed the Party to justify anything done in the future. The novel Nineteen Eight-Four demonstrates the extent of evil technology can be used for if taken advantage of. The Party uses technology to bring fear into the lives of the citizens in Oceania. They not only use forms of physical control to maintain order in Oceania, but they also influence the minds of the people and take away their freedoms of thought and speech. A form of manipulation the Party uses to control the citizens psychologically is through “doublethink”. This form of psychological manipulation allows the Party to convince people to agree with the ideologies and methods of the party. “WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, IGNORANCE IS STENGTH.” (Orwell 6) is an example of one of the propaganda slogans the citizens of Oceania are forced to believe. Everywhere they go, they are also reminded by a sign that reads “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU “(Orwell 3). All the slogans, sayings, and rules condition individuals to think that the Party is right. It escalates to the point where the Party can brainwash and manipulate children. They are turned into “junior spies” – agents responsible for watching over their parents. The fact that children are made to do such harsh tasks shows how pathetic the Party really is. With the right technologies and ideas, the Party is able to treat individuals like toys and keep them by their side

Get Access