Latest news with #WinstonSmith
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Putting trigger warnings on George Orwell's 1984 is the most stupid, 1984ish thing ever
' Orwell will be turning in his grave,' read one of the online comments posted in response to yesterday's piece about 1984 getting a trigger warning. 'Turning'? I think it's more likely he'll be laughing. What, after all, could be more of a validation, a rubber-stamping, and an 'I told you so' – delivered through a megaphone – than a thoughtcrime conviction for a futuristic cautionary tale… about thoughtcrimes, published 76 years ago? In the introductory essay featured in the new 75th anniversary edition, US novelist Dolen Perkins-Valdez describes the book's protagonist, Winston Smith, as 'problematic'. So much so that it may once have led to her abandoning the book, she admits. Warning modern readers that they may find his views on women 'despicable', she writes: 'For example, we learn of him, 'He disliked nearly all women, and especially the young and pretty ones.'' Whoa, wait a minute, Orwell. There's so much to unpack here. First, that with everything currently going on in the world – you know, the rise of modern totalitarianism, technology spying on us and all that – Winston Smith's view of women should be the main area of focus. Second, that word 'problematic', which almost always precedes something cretinous, but in this context was genuinely baffling. Name one successful novel, TV show or film that doesn't feature a 'problematic' character, and I will show you something I have no interest in reading or watching. Do you know anybody who enjoys reading about nice, blameless people going about their nice, blameless lives? I don't. Also, by all means, find Smith's views of women despicable – when you start reading the book, but not before. If and when you are appalled by his behaviour, let that not be off-putting, but a jumping-off point for meaty discussions; an opening up of your mind to human complexities. Someone who has been eloquent on this subject is the British Museum's brilliant new director, Nicholas Cullinan. Asked recently whether he agreed with the idea of trigger warnings and apologies on museum labels, Cullinan replied: 'Labels should be accurate, not partisan or political or conforming to a contemporary fad.' For me, the most extraordinary aspect of trigger warnings has always been their pomposity: the implicit conviction that in 2025, our view is not only more enlightened than any view that came before, but the final word on the subject. Unlike Orwell's, I suspect that those words will look embarrassingly outdated in just a couple of years.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Yahoo
Woodbury teen killed in Washington County crash Friday night
A 17-year-old Woodbury teen was killed in a car accident in West Lakeland Township Friday night, according to the Washington County sheriff's office. Shortly after 4 p.m. deputies were called to a two-car crash on Stagecoach Trail North and 10th Street North in West Lakeland Township. Deputies and personnel from the Bayport Fire Department and Lakeview EMS attempted life-saving measures, but one of the drivers, Elizabeth 'Libby' Radecki, died at the scene. The other driver was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. There were no passengers in either vehicle. The Minnesota State Patrol is helping investigate the crash. Authorities say it appears that weather Friday night was a factor in the crash. Crime & Public Safety | 2021 police shooting of Winston Smith justified, Hennepin County attorney says Crime & Public Safety | St. Paul Neighborhood Safety director sues Met Council over discipline at previous Metro Transit police job Crime & Public Safety | Two men who died in St. Paul garage fire ID'd Crime & Public Safety | Looking for love this Valentine's Day? Don't fall for Instagram romance scams Crime & Public Safety | Washington County to embed crisis telecommunicator in 911 dispatch center
