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Thread: Sanity is (not) Statistical.

  1. #1

    Sanity is (not) Statistical.

    I just finished 1984 a couple of days ago and I'm still quite confused by what Winston meant by that statement. Before he got re-programmed he said "sanity is not statistical' and then afterwards he said it is. What did he mean by that?

  2. #2
    Orwellian The Atheist's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Homers_child View Post
    I just finished 1984 a couple of days ago and I'm still quite confused by what Winston meant by that statement. Before he got re-programmed he said "sanity is not statistical' and then afterwards he said it is. What did he mean by that?
    He means that even if everyone else is considered "sane" he is not necessarily insane because he thinks differently; i.e. the majority does not decide sanity.

    He is then taught that sanity is conforming - acting like the majority.

    The first premise, of course, is the correct one.
    Go to work, get married, have some kids, pay your taxes, pay your bills, watch your tv, follow fashion, act normal, obey the law and repeat after me: "I am free."

    Anon

  3. #3
    Oh okay, thank you for answering. It definitely makes sense now. Not sure why I couldn't figure that out but now I get it.

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    Ataraxia bazarov's Avatar
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    Orwell is a tricky one, you will use to that.
    At thunder and tempest, At the world's coldheartedness,
    During times of heavy loss And when you're sad
    The greatest art on earth Is to seem uncomplicatedly gay.

    To get things clear, they have to firstly be very unclear. But if you get them too quickly, you probably got them wrong.
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