You often hear 1984's lasting terms in today's society. Big Brother, a television show I've never watched but still an idea hatched from this book is one good example. Then there is The Satellite of Love, off of MST3K, a Satellite that has nothing to do with love but with scientific torture--a direct nod to the book's fictitious government buildings.
A flag of the Ingsoc party as shown in and mov...Image via Wikipedia

There are countless others, and to focus on the terms used in today's buzz worthy society would be exhausting: Thought Police, Double Speak, New Speak, etc. Not only does this book create an appropriate paranoid view of those in power, it's simply good. This book is a masterpiece, no matter the message. The sentence structure of Orwell and his ability to use transparent, fluid language is astounding. It's almost distressing to read such work. How can one ever attain this magnitude of a story?

Conspirators use this book often as a curb to excess government involvement in the public's life. It would be hard to say what Orwell thought about each group groping for quotes for their own advancement, but I think he said it best in the book, when he coupled socialism with its ugly cousin, fascism. I don't think Orwell was denouncing all socialism, but simply stating that it was a vehicle in which many could be abused.
Minor spoiler ahead--one paragraph long:

In reading 1984, I hoped that the story of Winston Smith would end well. I really did. But in hindsight, that would have lacerated the entire idea of the story's message, its warning. Orwell couldn't let us off with a rosy ending because he knew that this world he had created on page, Ingsoc, had no rosy ending. It's quite difficult seeing the character break down like he does, but it sheds the light on any romantic idea of resisting torture.
The abuses of power almost seem comical at times. However they never leave the realm of possibility--it's not a parody of what can come but a frightful prediction.
Favorite lines:
"Socialism assumes that economic status is permanent."
"The thing in room 101 is the most terrible thing in the world." ( )

Hello! My name is '1984'. You probably remember me from that drunken political argument that you had at your friend's party last week-end. You know, when the discussion turned to the current election and the guy with the Converse All-Stars and messenger bag lamented how "Orwellian" the current administration is, and everyone nodded their heads because this guy seemed so astute, while you just stood there and thought to yourself, "Orwellian? That's all you can come up with?! Have you even read a book since you spent $3.95 on the '1984' Cliffs Notes for Mrs. Cliche's sophomore English class?"Yeah...that's me. But, I swear, I'm not just a hackneyed metaphor, I'm actually a really good read. ( )

Orwells' classic 1984 presents a chilling prospect for human society in the face of a totalitarian government and an ignorant populace. With the language growing ever smaller, and the imagination growing ever weaker, people become less and less capable of free, independent thought, which is exactly what the government wants. A small group of individuals, terrified to identify themselves, are still trying to stop the constant degradation of the human ability to think and reason, but perhaps it is too late, and no one, not even an independent thinker, can defeat Big Brother. ( )

It's a classic alright - bit too much talky talky, not quite enough action, but that could just be the frame of mind I'm in this month.

Oh, it's horrible that "Big Brother" is so bad... or is it? Do we really think the world isn't already like it's portrayed in this novel? How would we know anyway? Next time you think you're enjoying your McDonalds, or cut short a visit with a loved one so you can get home to watch your favorite show, think about just how much of your life isn't being controlled by outside forces.

Sure, these forces aren't starving you to death, or making you rewrite books, but that's only because there's more money in selling you food and magazines and gossip about celebrities like it's a matter of life and death to know if Jon cheated on Kate.

Don't believe the lies. Big Brother has already gotten us. ( )

Everyone needs to read this book to see how we are moving ever closer to living in a Big Brother world. ( )