The Orwellian World Is Here. Now What?
Gaslit Nation
Gaslit Nation
4.7 ā¢ 4.1K Ratings
šļø 25 March 2026
ā±ļø 52 minutes
šļø Recording | iTunes | RSS
š§¾ļø Download transcript
Summary
As we navigate a world of "alternative facts" and corporate-state surveillance, George Orwell's life, times, and pain, transformed into enduring art, like 1984, show us how to be defiant today. Resistance begins in the mind.Ā
This week, we're joined by British critic Dorian Lynskey, author of The Ministry of Truth: The Biography of George Orwell's 1984, to trace the biography of a nightmare. The Orwellian slogan "2+2=5" was taken from Soviet propaganda. Orwell reviewed Assignment in Utopia by Eugene Lyons, an American reporter who confesses in the chapter "The Press Corps Conceals a Famine," to joining with other influential foreign correspondents in Moscow to label Gareth Jones a liar in their articles in exchange for access to the Soviet regime. Lyons and Orwell are both characters in Andrea's film Mr. Jones.Ā
The trauma of 1984 started during the Spanish Civil War, alongside his wife, Eileen Blair, the unsung hero who saved his life and helped him find his voice as an artist, to break through the lies. In Catalonia, Eileen and Eric Blair watched Stalin-backed communists turn a socialist revolution into a paranoid police state. It was here, nearly killed by the "Soviet myth," that they realized nowhere is immune: lies and conformity keep people complacent as the sadists consolidate power.Ā
Orwell's message is clear for us today: in an era of state-sponsored lies, holding onto your humanity is the ultimate act of defiance.
Join us to celebrate the power of art and defiance at the book launch of Mrs. Orwell, Andrea's inspiring new graphic novel, illustrated by the genius Brahm Revel.
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When: April 13
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Where: PowerHouse Books Arena, DUMBO, Brooklyn
Details here: https://powerhousearena.com/events/book-launch-mrs-orwell-by-andrea-chalupa-in-conversation-with-nomiki-konst/
Patreon Supporters: You and your guests get in free and receive a complimentary book! Just message us through Patreon to claim yours.
Not a member yet? Join our community at Patreon.com/Gaslit. We couldn't make this show without youāsee you there!
Show Notes:
Our opening song was "Ride at Dawn" by Deena Marie. Check out her GoFundMe here to help her produce her next album: https://gofund.me/623a9c9b1
IG: @deenamariedmt
Spotify: Listen here
Apple Music: Listen here
TikTok: @deenamariedmt
YouTube: Watch here
The Ministry of Truth: The Biography of George Orwell's 1984Ā https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/580453/the-ministry-of-truth-by-dorian-lynskey/
Ā
33 Revolutions per Minute: A History of Protest Songs, from Billie Holiday to Green Day https://www.harpercollins.com/products/33-revolutions-per-minute-dorian-lynskey?variant=32210443141154
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Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | One, two, three, four. |
| 0:02.0 | Uncle Lowe had a mission, |
| 0:21.6 | he bought some ammunition, |
| 0:25.6 | loaded it up in his truck, lay one night. |
| 0:31.6 | He smoked, and then he hollered for his fellow, the collar. |
| 0:42.3 | He said we won't be going now without a fire. |
| 0:49.3 | He yelled tonight, we're right out |
| 0:56.1 | Don't |
| 0:57.0 | And where we're going |
| 1:01.0 | You don't even need your mind |
| 1:05.0 | So tell your family |
| 1:09.0 | If you even have one. Now we won't be coming home tonight. |
| 1:24.2 | Our opening clip was Ride at Dawn by Dina Marie, a longtime Gaslit Nation listener. |
| 1:30.8 | So if you want to know who listens to the show along with you, it's a lot of talented, |
| 1:35.9 | defiant people like Dina. |
| 1:38.0 | If you want to listen to more of her music and support the production of her next album, |
| 1:42.7 | check out her GoFundMe in the show notes, along with |
| 1:45.2 | her social media. Thank you, Dina, for your powerful art shining a light in this world. |
| 1:50.2 | Speaking of this week's episode, looks at the history that inspired George Orwell's 1984, |
| 1:56.8 | a book that people refer to today to describe the hellscape we find ourselves in. |
| 2:02.8 | It's well known among Orwell scholars, at least, that Yiviani, his 1921 novel, We lit a fire in Orwell to write 1984. |
| 2:16.3 | But art is composting, grief, rage, pain, the hopes for a better world, |
... |
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