Currently reading ....

[wurzel]

1984 George Orwell.

All the clichés aside about how prescient this book is, there's no parallel for militant religion in there & his totalitarian society's prudish views on sex are at odds with those of today's world.

His society wasn't based on any existing system, as was Animal Farm, but was an extrapolation based on his experience of socialism of the time.

Well, that's what it said in the intro, anyway.

So, I think we're a little way off the establishment of a Ministry of Love in which someone like Hazel Blears will attach electrodes to one's bollocks for not towing the party line.

[OwlHoot]

1984 George Orwell.

All the clichés aside about how prescient this book is, there's no parallel for militant religion in there & his totalitarian society's prudish views on sex are at odds with those of today's world ...

Most modern totalitatian regimes are very prudish about sex.

Also, in some ways even "free" Western societies including the US still are, for an example an age of consent of 18 or even higher (in some US states?).

Also, what about those French proposals to ban prostitution? That must be practically unprecedented in history.

[Gittins Gal]

Most modern totalitatian regimes are very prudish about sex.

Also, in some ways even "free" Western societies including the US still are, for an example an age of consent of 18 or even higher (in some US states?).

Also, what about those French proposals to ban prostitution? That must be practically unprecedented in history.

Hmmm... Inneresting.

I'd have thought that the encouragement of promiscuity would have helped to undermine the family unit - something that most totalitarian regimes want replaced by themselves.

I wonder what the attitude towards sex was in the old Eastern Bloc countries? Paging Mos - assuming you're not a sockie and you're old enough to remember.

[SpontaneousOrder]

Hmmm... Inneresting.

I'd have thought that the encouragement of promiscuity would have helped to undermine the family unit - something that most totalitarian regimes want replaced by themselves.

I wonder what the attitude towards sex was in the old Eastern Bloc countries? Paging Mos - assuming you're not a sockie and you're old enough to remember.

In 1984 the prudishness was a tool to keep the party members pent-up, frustrated and agitated so that they focus those kinds of emotions towards whever the boogy man of the time was; Relaxed happy men seek more for themselves - repressed men seek to vent their anger at a common enemy.

In real life today family is a tool - people tend to be very reluctant to risk bringing scandal and shame on their families. Family is also one of the few things that many men will value over their own wellbeing.
There is alot of leverage & control to be gained by encouraging the maintenance of the family unit. Totalitarian regimes don't aim to replace family with themselves - they just aim to make the state the man of the house.

[doodab]

I have 5 Iain M Banks books to get through. Currently on use of weapons.

[evilagent]

The Character of Rain by Amelie Nothomb (reading for second time)

[OwlHoot]

Just read A Spy By Nature by Charles Cumming (2001)

Absolutely brilliant - If you want to know what working for the security services is like today, from interview to tradecraft and the personal and professional challenges they face, I've no doubt this must be among the best books to read.

The only downside of coming across this book in a charity shop last week is that now I'll now have to buy and read several more of his espionage novels that have appeared over the last ten years!

[original PM]

I have 5 Iain M Banks books to get through. Currently on use of weapons.

Is Excession on your list - one of his best imho....

But at the moment mostly reading trashy free scifi on my Kindle...

[doodab]

Is Excession on your list - one of his best imho....

Yes, that's probably next.

I have the 5 to get through cos I've read all the others

[eek]

would highly recommand the first 15 lives of Harry August.

The Martian by Andy Weir isn't bad either