1972, 1984 and forever

in 1972, i read 1984 when you're fourteen, 12 years seems like the distant future the government could watch your every move horrifying i guess, they can do that now, through our devices what if that government is totalitarian what if reality, as reported in the news, was controlled by marketers, corporations, and politicians manipulating you through your emotions spoon feeding you based on your favorite click bait horrifying what if a leader with totalitarian designs controlled the news when i was a kid, i read other books meant to instill values in young people values such as courage to speak up stand up to threats and violence, willingness to risk your own job or safety for the greater good education not just having your head filled but thinking critically, evaluating your sources scientists versus politicians open, thoughtful, respectful debate being on the lookout for one's own confirmation bias in history, how do countries with totalitarian leaders fare democracy and free press i imagine that as long as there are people there will be totalitarian leaders and totalitarian wannabes and there will always be those same values and battles that never end