1984, an exercise in thought.
Hi<br> I'm re-reading it for the first time in decades. Fascinating how the patterns of so-called 'civilization' tend to repeat themselves as archaeological work has begun to reveal.<br> There have been thousands of civilizations, all of which have come and gone after rising to some particular apex. All filled with people of mediocre as well as spectacular intelligence.<br> One of the most subtle things about 1984 and our comparison to our current state of affairs, is to point out that we are both in control and have absolutely no control simultaneously.<br> In a nutshell, it's really up to us.<br> We have control because when we realize it, in spite of what anyone else ever says or does, if we imagine the earth pristine but vacant of any sign, present or past, of humanity, then you realize this, all of this, is just all in the minds of men. It is not a physical thing that is a part of our world, influencing or inhibiting our habitation on this planet. We are imprisoned or freed by our own minds. And our minds - any minds - can be changed - it's just a thought process away.<br> And we have no control because while we cannot change the minds of others when they act out with intentions either good or harmful, upon seeing we cannot mentally 'wish' our good intentions to come true, we give up trying, realize our small stature in the universe, and resume our animal habits of sleeping, eating, working, just treading water as it were.<br> A fascinating exercise in thought!<br>