I appreciate this piece but I think it worth noting that the dystopia in 1984 was *not* fascist. It was authoritarian and even totalitarian. While fascism is indeed both of those things, Orwell was writing in a world where fascism was no longer the big threat. While Arendt and Adorno were trying to understand fascism more specifically, Orwell was warning about authoritarian regimes more broadly or even more communist.
While this may seem trivial the issue is unlike other regimes fascism is always violent for the sake of violence and definitionally *incompetent*: Fascism literally submits reason to feelings, which makes it irrational. It is a rejection of Enlightenment principals. The incompetence is always present in fascism.
Thanks, Noah. Question: Who runs the Reagan Foundation? His children? If so, I guess we now know where they stand, even if there are people in this world who blindly believe Reagan would have hated 45/47 as the most unAmerican president in history. The Reagan Administration opened the door for corporate raiders, big business dictating policy, dark money… all of it. This coup started with Reagan if it’s the elites taking charge.
I appreciate this piece but I think it worth noting that the dystopia in 1984 was *not* fascist. It was authoritarian and even totalitarian. While fascism is indeed both of those things, Orwell was writing in a world where fascism was no longer the big threat. While Arendt and Adorno were trying to understand fascism more specifically, Orwell was warning about authoritarian regimes more broadly or even more communist.
While this may seem trivial the issue is unlike other regimes fascism is always violent for the sake of violence and definitionally *incompetent*: Fascism literally submits reason to feelings, which makes it irrational. It is a rejection of Enlightenment principals. The incompetence is always present in fascism.
trump's clumsy attempt at building his own Memoryhole has some holes in it. He does, however, rely on Big Brother's Ignorance is Strength decree.
I wish democrats had the messaging know how, awareness, and abilities of the Ontario province. It seems so easy, but dems seem clueless at recreating something as sharp, savvy and penetrating as did Doug Ford. I can see dems trying to do something that shows trump palling around with epstein and maxwell as the low voiced narrator says, as trump and republicans protect pedophiles and child sex traffickers, they continue to put children's lives in danger by ending SNAP and health insurance options. Then have a few republicans saying they are the party of family values as children cry standing in food bank lines and mom trying to make a doctor's appt without health insurance as their child suffers from measles. Dems could do the same with ranchers for trump by showing beef being shipped from Argentina to US as a rancher says he will be filing for bankruptcy. So many opportunities, but dems have sooooo little imagination.
My understanding is that the tariff funds go to the Treasury which seems to be viewed as the orange one's personal account. It also seems that the administration is working hard to crash the economy and make people desperate because desperate people will do just about anything and will be easy to control.
My next door neighbor was spouting his "both sides are corrupt" yesterday. He added that he "just happened to watch Fox News" the night before. "And the night before and the morning and afternoon before" is more like it.
Deepak, thank you for providing the link to Democracy Labs and the discussion of Orwell's "1984." I will have to add DL to my growing list of go-to podcasts. During this time of madness and darkness, it is encouraging that there is an explosion of informative content beyond the soft-pedaling, knee-bending corporate media.
It cracks me up how indignant he becomes if someone else cheats, or someone else lies, or someone else does any of the f’ed up shit he pulls every single day.
Fortunately for us, independent and foreign media, along with the borderless Internet, make it impossible to create the kind of completely closed off world in Orwell’s “1984”. But they’re sure trying.
The Reagan Foundation is now controlled by trumpists, including the idiot sons so this why they blasted Canada for the ad. Reagan was evil but in this case it’s not the original people running it.
This isn’t just policy incoherence. It’s Idiocracy in real time…a satire of a movie that was already a satire.
Tariffs as tantrum. Media as megaphone. Governance as grievance performance.
What we’re watching isn’t fascism with discipline…it’s pseudo-fascism with a short attention span, dressed in nostalgia and weaponized incompetence.
The Reagan reference isn’t about economics. It’s about erasing memory.
The White House destruction isn’t symbolic. It’s behavioral conditioning.
And the media’s servility isn’t accidental. It’s part of the choreography and designed to simulate dissent while absorbing it.
Truth isn’t dead. It’s being outperformed.
And the spectacle isn’t failing. It’s functioning exactly as intended.
— Johan
Behavioral and Foreign Service background
Johan, I always look forward to your words of wisdom and perspective. Thank you.
Thank you!
very well said and concise. thank you for your contribution
Thank you so much!
Republicans stick together even when they’re knee deep in bullshit. 🙄
That’s knee JERK deep …
I appreciate this piece but I think it worth noting that the dystopia in 1984 was *not* fascist. It was authoritarian and even totalitarian. While fascism is indeed both of those things, Orwell was writing in a world where fascism was no longer the big threat. While Arendt and Adorno were trying to understand fascism more specifically, Orwell was warning about authoritarian regimes more broadly or even more communist.
While this may seem trivial the issue is unlike other regimes fascism is always violent for the sake of violence and definitionally *incompetent*: Fascism literally submits reason to feelings, which makes it irrational. It is a rejection of Enlightenment principals. The incompetence is always present in fascism.
Thanks, Noah. Question: Who runs the Reagan Foundation? His children? If so, I guess we now know where they stand, even if there are people in this world who blindly believe Reagan would have hated 45/47 as the most unAmerican president in history. The Reagan Administration opened the door for corporate raiders, big business dictating policy, dark money… all of it. This coup started with Reagan if it’s the elites taking charge.
The children, I believe, are no longer involved. At least, there is no family member on the Board.
Have go back into the Nineteenth Century to find a “Republican” who cares.
Lincoln would be my guess…🤔
Got it in one!
I appreciate this piece but I think it worth noting that the dystopia in 1984 was *not* fascist. It was authoritarian and even totalitarian. While fascism is indeed both of those things, Orwell was writing in a world where fascism was no longer the big threat. While Arendt and Adorno were trying to understand fascism more specifically, Orwell was warning about authoritarian regimes more broadly or even more communist.
While this may seem trivial the issue is unlike other regimes fascism is always violent for the sake of violence and definitionally *incompetent*: Fascism literally submits reason to feelings, which makes it irrational. It is a rejection of Enlightenment principals. The incompetence is always present in fascism.
trump's clumsy attempt at building his own Memoryhole has some holes in it. He does, however, rely on Big Brother's Ignorance is Strength decree.
I wish democrats had the messaging know how, awareness, and abilities of the Ontario province. It seems so easy, but dems seem clueless at recreating something as sharp, savvy and penetrating as did Doug Ford. I can see dems trying to do something that shows trump palling around with epstein and maxwell as the low voiced narrator says, as trump and republicans protect pedophiles and child sex traffickers, they continue to put children's lives in danger by ending SNAP and health insurance options. Then have a few republicans saying they are the party of family values as children cry standing in food bank lines and mom trying to make a doctor's appt without health insurance as their child suffers from measles. Dems could do the same with ranchers for trump by showing beef being shipped from Argentina to US as a rancher says he will be filing for bankruptcy. So many opportunities, but dems have sooooo little imagination.
My understanding is that the tariff funds go to the Treasury which seems to be viewed as the orange one's personal account. It also seems that the administration is working hard to crash the economy and make people desperate because desperate people will do just about anything and will be easy to control.
exactly the plan.
and now we learn his cabinet members are moving onto military bases for protection
the fragile fascists FF are afraid they might come in contact with rational, thinking citizens
My next door neighbor was spouting his "both sides are corrupt" yesterday. He added that he "just happened to watch Fox News" the night before. "And the night before and the morning and afternoon before" is more like it.
Trump’s Thought Police: Straight From George Orwell’s 1984 (Podcast)
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/10/25/trumps-thought-police-straight-from-george-orwells-1984-podcast/
Deepak, thank you for providing the link to Democracy Labs and the discussion of Orwell's "1984." I will have to add DL to my growing list of go-to podcasts. During this time of madness and darkness, it is encouraging that there is an explosion of informative content beyond the soft-pedaling, knee-bending corporate media.
Thanks, Steve. I also interview activists and organizers on Digital Politics podcast. Check it out:
https://digitalpoliticsradio.com/
It cracks me up how indignant he becomes if someone else cheats, or someone else lies, or someone else does any of the f’ed up shit he pulls every single day.
Fortunately for us, independent and foreign media, along with the borderless Internet, make it impossible to create the kind of completely closed off world in Orwell’s “1984”. But they’re sure trying.
The Reagan Foundation is now controlled by trumpists, including the idiot sons so this why they blasted Canada for the ad. Reagan was evil but in this case it’s not the original people running it.
Uh-oh! Do you mean that these famous populists actively seek to injure the populace? I’m shocked … shocked!