At the time when 1984 was written, totalitarian governments were at their prime in areas such as Russia, Italy, and Germany. Americans were unaware of the terrors and distress caused by a totalitarian government and so Orwell sent out a warning in the form of a novel; 1984. It described how such a way of life could essentially bury any human qualities like individuality, love, and critical thought. America heeded his warning and continued with a democratic government which allowed for individual freedoms.
Throughout the novel Orwell depicts probable outcomes in a totalitarian society in order to warn people of a very real and possible future. This particular government has the ability to control its citizens and take away the fundamental aspects of humanity in many different ways. In the novel propaganda is a key factor for the psychological manipulation that takes place. Numerous posters of Big Brother across the city, announcements on the telescreens non stop every day, and brainwashing children from a young age by forcing them into special camps and organizations. Orwell also predicted the abominable use of pain in order to control people, as shown when Winston is captured and tortured in the Ministry of Love. Technology can also be used in order to control citizens and take away their privacy and natural rights.
Although we are still a democracy and far from any sort of totalitarian government, technology has become a very prominent part of every day life. At a moments notice the government could use these major advancements against the people. Technology has also become a major distraction for people in modern days. With the propaganda through television or the internet people are more concerned with what they're being told instead of figuring out the truth. Much like the novel, technology could be a major weapon in controlling the population.
