Comparing to George Orwell’s 1984 society and current society, similarities can be found, as the news and facts are altered to make the world look better. In order to control the society, certain information has to be suppressed. Such is the case in George Orwell’s 1984. Similarly in the article Methods of manipulation by Michael Parenti. Frequently manipulation lurks in things that left unmentioned. Often the media downplay or mute an event because the truth is dangerous for the society to handle. Many authorities are adopting new methods to influence public opinion and shape the younger minds. In 1984 and current society, the practise of altering the media, mental manipulation and creating a dominant party image leads to an imbalance of
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An example would be when Winston tries to draw connections from previous informations mentioned by the party. The use of maneuvering the media is shown when a woman appears on the telescreen and says that Big Brother has risen the chocolate ration to twenty grams per week, Winston wonders how has that happened in such a short period of time. He says to himself “And only yesterday it had been announced that the ration was to be reduced to twenty grammes a week. Was it possible that they could swallow that, after only twenty-four hours? Yes they swallowed it” (Orwell 61-62). Thus the citizens of Oceania are grateful and happy that their leader increased the ration. The government is using the media through the mind controlling technique as no evidence to state otherwise. In the article by Parenti, the use of the media and technology is more developed and used in today’s society than 1984. The mind controlling techniques are different for example the CIA-crack exposure. When it began to reach larger amount of people and gain more visibility despite the suppression, the media move from ignoring it to attacking it. This is shown in the articles when it says “Articles in the Washington Post and New York times and reports on network television announced that there was “no evidence” of CIA involvement… and that the public interest in this subject was the real problem, a matter of gullibility” (Parenti).
An example would be when Winston tries to draw connections from previous informations mentioned by the party. The use of maneuvering the media is shown when a woman appears on the telescreen and says that Big Brother has risen the chocolate ration to twenty grams per week, Winston wonders how has that happened in such a short period of time. He says to himself “And only yesterday it had been announced that the ration was to be reduced to twenty grammes a week. Was it possible that they could swallow that, after only twenty-four hours? Yes they swallowed it” (Orwell 61-62). Thus the citizens of Oceania are grateful and happy that their leader increased the ration. The government is using the media through the mind controlling technique as no evidence to state otherwise. In the article by Parenti, the use of the media and technology is more developed and used in today’s society than 1984. The mind controlling techniques are different for example the CIA-crack exposure. When it began to reach larger amount of people and gain more visibility despite the suppression, the media move from ignoring it to attacking it. This is shown in the articles when it says “Articles in the Washington Post and New York times and reports on network television announced that there was “no evidence” of CIA involvement… and that the public interest in this subject was the real problem, a matter of gullibility” (Parenti).