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| RTomens, 2021 |
I've just finished rereading George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four and felt...compelled? Inspired? To use something from it, hence the slogan 'Freedom Is Slavery'. Yes, 'freedom' is a chore, or would be if we actually had it, I suppose. Virtually no-one is free - god is that profound? No. Everyone is 'bound' by something, eh? But, of course, like everything, freedom is relative. Even in lockdown we are freer than those living under oppressive dictatorships where the police would fine you just for taking a leisurely stroll miles from your house...er...hold on...we can't do that. How about a picnic in the park? No. Um...visit friends? No. Oh forget that idea then.
Surely 'Freedom Is Slavery' should be the governmental slogan of all countries locked down by the Chinese virus. But perhaps doublethink is a little too...profound...and let's face it, would confuse us even more than some of these lockdown rules.
Anyway, we went for a walk on Hampstead Heath this morning and whilst returning to our bikes came across a place where George Orwell lived, 77 Parliament Hill. What a coincidence. And there was another. Whilst looking over a bridge on the heath I spied a rat scurrying through the undergrowth. As you know, Room 101 contains 'the worst thing in the world', according to each person unfortunate to end up there. In Winston Smith's case, it is rats. I don't know what I'd find in Room 101...possibly an advert for Grammarly that I can't skip after five seconds but must endure on a loop until I crack and become devoted to Big Brother.
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