Quote:
Originally Posted by Sliver
Well I'm surprised you guys think it's so harmless to spread baseless lies. It's very counter-productive for society to be blase about the dissemination of misinformation. I think those with facts should push back on stupidity and lies. It is possible for whole groups of people to be wrong (eg Nazis) and allowing untruths to be told is wrong in and of itself, let alone the damage it can cause in extreme cases.
Look at the town hall meetings in the States from a few weeks ago. Stupidity, lies and misinformation are leading to chaotic and dangerous situations in the USA, not to mention the damage to people's lives that will be caused if the States doesn't begin to reform their sub-par medical system. The only thing holding progress back is the outspoken "free speech" of dopes and the inability of the truth to contain lies.
I don't know how lies should be contained, but to deny the harm they cause is naive.
|
[
Winston renders a war hero an "unperson"]
Winston Smith: Rutherford unperson. Substitute Ogilvy. Ogilvy biog details as follows: war hero, recently killed, Malabar front. Today awarded posthumous secondary order of conspicuous merit second class.
[
Winston tapes over Rutherford's face, consigning him to oblivion]
O'Brien: Power is tearing human minds apart and putting them back together in new shapes of your own choosing.
Winston Smith: Does Big Brother exist?
O'Brien: Of course he exists.
Winston Smith: Does he exist like you or me?
O'Brien: You do not exist
Big Brother: THE HOUSE IS SURROUNDED!
Julia: Suppose we may as well say goodbye...
Big Brother: YOU MAY AS WELL SAY GOODBYE! While we're on the subject, here comes a candle to light you to bed, here comes a chopper to chop off your head!
[
the Thought Police arrive]