Blog #36: Alexander Begelman: Period 7: 5/18/20

Blog #2 Sophomores 2020

Alexander Begelman

Period 7

5/18/20

Aim: How and why does Winston manage to resist the manipulative power of language and mob mentality?

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Do Now: To begin, I want you to observe 3 citizens and write everything they do and what you believe they are thinking. Do not let them know you’re watching them! You have 5 minutes!

Steven: Staring blankly at the screen

Probable Thoughts: I woke up 5 minutes ago, not really sure what’s going on

Ethan: Seemingly laying down, motionless

Probable Thoughts: I’m quite tired, but I have a responsibility to take part in this activity

Talha: Sitting with hoodie strings pulled 90% off the way, phone camera slowly slipping out of frame

Probable Thoughts: It’s cold in here and my microphone on my computer doesn’t work

30 points were awarded to Talha for telling “Big Brother” that Anthony was fidgeting and staring blankly, basically rewarding him for snitching.

10 points were deducted from Harry when he said something positive about Stella that “Big Brother” did not appreciate. 

This activity was based on the ideas from the book 1984 where Big Brother has systems in place to manipulate people’s responses and speech with the rewards/punishments system.

Once people realized points were rewarded for snitching on others, other people such as Athena hopped on the train to snitch on other people to flatter “Big Brother.”

Steven then commented on the corrupt nature of this method, which would definitely have gotten him [REDACTED] by the Thought Police.

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A core idea in 1984 is that the government believes that if you have a limited vocabulary, you have less words at your disposal to commit thoughtcrime, thoughtcrime being the action of thinking something that the government doesn’t want you to think.

Activity: Imagine you’re the Mayor for NYC. Create 3 slogans/mottos for NYC, which you believe exemplify doublethink (contradictory/opposing statements.)

• Loud is good.
• Staten Island is a real borough.
• Late train no big deal.

Takeaways from today’s lesson:

• Language is very powerful, but it can be manipulated
• What people think is not so easily manipulated
• Those in power can use corrupt tactics/rules or instill certain mindsets in people in order to further their agenda.
• (Through the systematic brainwashing of the people)

Refer back to the aim:

How and why does Winston manage to resist the manipulative power of language and mob mentality?

• Writes in a diary for himself
• Falls in and out of the mob-mentality sporadically when in the Auditorium of Hate
• Motif of dreams - his dreams help to explore parts of his thought process that were closed off before
• Writes about O’Brien in his diary (the man he saw in his dreams)
• Doesn’t know whether or not to trust the idea of O’Brien

Student Reflection of the Lesson:

• What did I learn?

I learned that a government can be very manipulative in its methods, especially with controlling what people say or do, so that’s why it’s very important to question things if necessary, as an ignorant population will only lead to subjugation and oppression.

• Why did I learn it?

I learned this, as it’s important to stay informed as a population. No governing body should ever get too much power, as then they will act in their best interest, and not for the people. It is essential that any whiffs of corruption are nipped in the bud.

• How will I use what I learned?

If I ever see anything questionable, whether government-policy related or not, I will be sure to contact others and get a second opinion, and also to follow through with the necessary action to further inquire if things aren't how they are supposed to be. With the social media tools available to us today, it is very easy to put a message out there, whether for change or for reversion to a previous state.

Blog Content:

• What is it like working from home?

Working from home is very interesting, as I’m starting to understand the amount of things that can actually be done digitally instead of in-person. Obviously there are certain things that cannot be compensated for digitally,  but working from home has given me a lot more flexibility in terms of the hours that I work and how I can manipulate my day.

• What are the updates around the world/community regarding the virus?

I watch Governor Cuomo’s news briefings everyday regarding the Coronavirus, and I mainly look at the statistics of the spread, as there was a very steep incline in infections at the beginning of March, but ever since the peak was reached, the decline has been very slow and steady. Obviously the economy cannot go on forever without people working, so they are implementing a phased reopening of the economy, with businesses that pose a smaller risk and are fairly essential being reopened first. No one knows how long it will take until everything reopens and business is as per usual, but it doesn’t seem like it will be in the immediate future. However, the testing capacity of New York has increased dramatically, so now that more people can get tested it will probably be easier to control the spread of the virus.

• Your own personal feelings and thoughts about what is happening right now.

Personally, I miss going to school and seeing everyone. I think that a lot of us took for granted going to school, and I can see the unrest among my friends from being cooped up in the house for almost 2 months now. Online school isn’t terrible, but there’s definitely some challenges, as no one is constantly reminding me about my assignments other than Google Classroom, and it has been very difficult to stick to a schedule when every day consists of some classes in the morning and then I’m left to my devices for the rest of the day. Hopefully this will all end soon, even if just partially for the time being.