Replies

The Cult of The Narcissist Usurper is not yet in a position to make such radical demands on its faithful. But the fact that they feel comfortable in asking their adherents to forgo the traditional expressions of joy in the lives of their extended families speaks volumes about the demands they would make should they succeed in retaining power.

After all, it's only proper Doublethink that The State (in the person of its Dear Leader) that feeds you, gives you medicine, provides for your housing, raises your children and teaches them the "right" way to think should be the real benefactor in your moments of social celebration as well.

"We shall abolish the orgasm. Our neurologists are at work upon it now. There will be no loyalty, except loyalty towards the Party. There will be no love, except the love of Big Brother. There will be no laughter, except the laugh of triumph over a defeated enemy. There will be no art, no literature, no science.

"There will be no curiosity, no enjoyment of the process of life. All competing pleasures will be destroyed. But always — do not forget this, Winston — always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler.

"Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever."

- 1984, George Orwell

Point well taken.

In the amazingly prescient movie "Demolition Man" starring Stallone and Bullock, the character Edgar Friendly played by Dennis Leary has a less elegant but no less telling rant about the Nanny State.

"According to Cocteau's plan, I'm the enemy, 'cause I like to think, I like to read. I'm into freedom of speech, and freedom of choice. I'm the kinda guy that likes to sit in a greasy spoon and wonder, "Gee, should I have the T-bone steak or the jumbo rack of barbecue ribs with the side-order of gravy fries?" I want high cholesterol! I wanna eat bacon, and butter, and buckets of cheese, okay?! I wanna smoke a Cuban cigar the size of Cincinnati in the non-smoking section! I wanna run naked through the street, with green Jell-O all over my body, reading Playboy magazine. Why? Because I suddenly may feel the need to, okay, pal?

I've seen the future. You know what it is? It's a 47-year-old virgin, sitting around in his beige pajamas, drinking a banana-broccoli shake, singing, "I'm an Oscar Meyer wiener."