shelbyshurtleff

Shelby's


 * "1984" Questions**


 * 2) Identify the ways media is used in Oceania and discuss it's role. Can you think of any similar cases where mass media have been used in similar ways in your country, past or present? Discuss when, where and how.**

Media's role in the city of "Oceania" is very prominent, and can actually be described as the basis of their government organization. It is used as a way of convincing citizens that whatever they are showing is the reality of truth in their world, even when that may not actually be the case. This, in return, helps the government to keep control of their peoples thoughts and ideas so that they may align with their own. Today, media acts somewhat similarly, especially with the prominence of technology during our current presidential elections. There is now a plethora of sources from which information is distorted or twisted, and people will likely come to believe in the "facts" that resemble their own ideas, not knowing what is actual truth. It is used to broadcast every negative things about all candidates, so that they may be persuaded otherwise. It is different from Oceania in the concept of government control though. In Oceania, all or most of citizens believe in the same ideas because their is only one message coming from the government. Now, there are various ideas coming from many sources that may or may not be credible with their information. This creates a divide among the people, as they are being persuaded in many different directions.


 * 3) What is power, and how is it gained and used?**

By definition, power is "the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events". Power is gained by winning the belief of those around you, which in return leads them to follow you and the ideas that you believe. If people believe in your ideas, they will begin to gain trust. With this trust, you can gain influence on others actions and ideas, as they will have faith that you will do what benefits them.

    Abuse of   power by the government can include someone in office or of authority abusing their power for their own benefit. These people would hypothetically be elected with trust from the people that believed they would follow through with the ideas in which they promised, so when they use their power to do otherwise, it becomes very demeaning to the people.    I believe that individuals can change a society IF they are willing to work together to make the change. In our current society with party lines greatly widened and ideas separating us, I think it is important for people to remember that we are all still Americans living in the same country, and that such polar ideas can not lead to anything good for either party. The government does have a lot of power, but without the following of the people they are governing, this power can become faulted.  **6) What are the dangers of a government controlled media?**    The dangers of a government controlled media is very dangerous. It leads to more divided party lines, as discussed above, as people believe what their party is telling them, truth or not. They have the power to greatly alter the truth and what people believe through persuasive entertainment and radical ideas. It leads to the diminished personal thought of people within our country, especially the younger generation that grew up most prominently in the heat of technology and media. Without our own power of thought, we will lose our freedom without even realizing it.         <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">If power Is abused by a ruling group or the government, the citizens in which are being abused by the group or organization are free to voice their opinion and protest what they believe is wrongful. Though no outcome may come from this, it is a right given to them that they may stand with their opinions. It is actually stated in the Declaration of Independence that if the people suspect that the government is abusing it's power, they should either change it or work to overthrow it. <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> ** <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Technology is changing our understanding of privacy in major ways. In this day and age, we are constantly being watched by cameras in stores, schools, etc.. We are most likely always being monitored on the internet sties we visit, the things we post and like and where we are through GPS. We may think we have "privacy", but in reality there is no doubt that if someone or the government wanted to view our every move that they would not have much trouble in doing so. <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> ** <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">9) Can changing language change thought?  ** <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">  <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">You can answer this question by looking back in the plot of 1984. The people of Oceania  <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">have their language modified so that they speak in the simplest terms possible, and everyone speaks the same. This is one of the biggest factors in the loss of freedom among the people and the over arching power of the government. They do not have freedom of speech within the book like we do in our society, and even though sometimes people think they do not have full freedom of their right in our countries, we very much so do compared to other areas.   <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">**10) How do governments balance the rights of individuals with the common good?**  <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> One way in which the government stays balanced while also keeping the rights of individuals and the common good is through elections. The government is nothing without the people, and so in order to keep the peoples following, they must give options that act in their best interest so that responsible decisions are made and people aren't completely displeased.   <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">  <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">This all depends on the views of the person that decides whether or not they stand against or participate in oppression. If it works towards their own personal motives, someone or a group may become oppressive. If someone is feeling oppressed, they may voice their opinion and try to fight it in order to take advantage of their personal freedom. Both ends of this spectrum is one of the greatest divides happing in our country right now, as Americans are shifting to polar ends of society.
 * <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">4) What constitutes an abuse of power by the government?  **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">5) Can individuals change a society? **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">7) What can citizens do if power is abused by a ruling group or the government? **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">8) How is technology changing our understanding of privacy?
 * <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">11) Why do some individuals take a stand against oppression while others choose to participate in it? **