Thinking OUT louD

Getting prepared for winter, I've neglected my commitment to upload these videos. I will do better and prioritize this work. In the second reading of G.K. Chesterton's book, we go further into his timeless observations of human nature and society.

How does government and family interact in society. What is role of marriage? What does it mean to own private property, and what is liberty. In these chapters, Chesterton beautifully articulates the ideals of society.

I hope you enjoy this brief introduction to biblical knowledge. I intend to read from the Bible periodically as we dig into other pertinent works of literature.

Winston comes to the end of his journey.

The second of three segments, this book is one I read several times a year. It's hard to find a writing as densely packed with wisdom.

As we begin Chesteron's work, let's appreciate that it's written over a century ago. Human nature is fixed, the nature of this world is fixed. Lessons of the past may guide us into the future. Chesterton is a highly influential thinker who shares knowledge and wisdom gained in a distant past. Our job is to apply that wisdom to our time, but first we read.

Ecclesiastes is a very short and equally dense book of the Bible. Join me in dusting off this ancient, human artifact as we resurrect its meaning and value. Preconceived notions, often born of arrogance and ignorance, which deter us from biblical literature also deter us from growth and liberty. The shared heritage of mankind is described and articulated in various forms from many perspectives all within the bounds of the Bible. As times get tough, let us lean on our historical connection with all those who came before us, let us retain and record the valuable knowledge and wisdom that our generations have come to know.

The Ministry of Love begins to strengthen Winston back to his state before being arrested, going so far as to remove his remaining teeth and give him dentures. For what purpose we may reasonably infer is not in Winston's best interest given the fact that they were the ones who knowingly induced the pain which they now seek to repair. This reminds me of the political application of the psychological principles uncovered by Pavlovian research, which was funded by the Soviet governance under Stalin Only two short chapters remain of 1984, as we move into Ecclesiastes and G.K. Chesterton.

Another horrifying Chapter in which Winston endures further interrogation in the Ministry of Love. O'Brien describes the philosophy and ultimate purpose of the party, which he describes as a boot stomping on a human face forever. The individual is but a cell of the overall body of party and may achieve immortality by sacrificing individualism to the collective, eternal party. In O'Brien"s description, there is no future or past, no objective reality at all outside of the human mind. As we finish 1984, I intend to begin reading a book by G.K. Chesterton in which he details the traditional English ideal of a thriving society and the degradation that ensues upon the integration of a progressive ideology.

Winston has finally taken the step, along with Julia to confess to O'Brien their secret hatred for the party and their willingness to work towards its ultimate destruction, to join Goldstein's network of dissidents.

Another amazing read from Orwell's 1984. The longest chapter in the book describes a significant moment in Winston's life. After receiving a copy of Goldstein's book, Winston begins to gain a better understanding of the world around him. The deadly consequences and uncertainty of his rebellion surround him, but he moves boldly forward with nothing to lose.

Definitely the longest and probably the most important chapter in the book to understand. Chapter Seventeen finishes with profound observations and a bit of a cliff-hanger.

At the peak of his enlightenment, Winston is violently interrupted by the Thought Police. He and Julia are about to find out the reality of the long-anticipated consequences of their rebellion.

From the Ministry of Truth to The Ministry of Love, Winston is officially a thought criminal and is beginning to see the true depth of the totalitarian world around him.

Probably the most brutally violent Chapter of the book, Winston endures physical, psychological torture in the Ministry of Love. Difficult as this may be to read, it is important to understand that real evil does exist. We have become quite insulated in modern society, and we must maintain a memory of true evil in order to know when we see it and consciously avoid it.

Winston holds dearly to his sanctuary away from the party while he considers the depth of deception perpetrated on humanity. The party has complete control over society's understanding of past and present, by use of perpetual warfare the totalitarian rulers keep the citizenry in a state of disorienting fear and hopelessness. Winston is alone in his quest for a more meaningful resistance to the powers that be, but has he finally found an ally in O'Brien?

Winston takes the chance to rent a small room above an antique shop for he and Julia to meet on occasion. He accepts his inevitable fate, as he will surely end up in the Ministry of Love (prison) for his crime of individuality and having a romantic relationship outside the approval of the party. We don't have telescreens precisely in today's world, but who is ever more than a few feet away from a 'smart' phone, a TV or computer. We know there is always the possibly of eyes and ears accessing the most intimate parts of our lives. We know that personal activity is monitored and a behavioural model is being always developed in order to anticipate our thoughts, our desires. How far removed are we from Orwell's dystopic hellscape. Maybe the price of liberty is too high, or maybe we are too distracted by the digital reality to see the truth around us.

Winston's rendezvous with Julia, apparently a fellow dissident. He is becoming more fervent in his disaffection for the totalitarian state wherin he lives, and more bold in his acts of rebellion as he has found his female counterpart to guide him through his awakening, or so he thinks.

George Orwell's 1984, Chapter Ten. Every Chapter is another insight into the minds of our benevolent, technocratic overlords as well as the minds of their well_educated captives.

Another reading from George Orwell's 1984. Winston Smith seeks answers from the past, But finds his present confused by a girl from The Ministry of Truth. Is she a spy or lover? In this second half of the book, Winston is seeking answers to the questions that have haunted him.

Digging deeper into Orwell's dystopian vision. This book reads more like a documentary with every chapter.

A further reading into a profound description of the trajectory and destination of socialist totalitarianism, that is Orwell's 1984. The not_so_fictious dystopian future extrapolated and imagined from the mind of Orwell offers useful insights to better understand the world around us. Hopefully this is a useful change from my typical diologue and I want to encourage you to share your thoughts.

Working in the Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith creates pro- government fiction to supercede already published public documents. What's interesting about his role in the propaganda department is the frequent lack of specific instruction. The narrative is generally understood and their knowledge of a dark, bureaucratic system gives them integrity to not stray from the will of Big Brother. Consider how easy his job would be in today's digital environment, how easy to alter reality and the past. Share your thoughts.

Orwell's description of a totalitarian society is profound and timeless. His did the free- thinking citizens feel under the national socialists who siezed power under Hitler, how did they feel under Stalin? Don't drift too far from reality or into fear. "There's nothing new under the sun. " Accept reality as it is and make the best of what's before you. Please pay attention to Orwell's story and share your thoughts.

The second in the 1984 book reading series. In these chapters Winston faces difficulty articulating the subversion of reality that has pinned society under an authoritarian, socialist regime. Important in this progression is the control of language, the destruction of family, and the absolute control of the past as accomplished by this who control the present.