Tom Gregg
Tom Gregg
Nov 6 · 1 min read

That’s quite true. Journalism as an institution is no more trusted than any other institution. Whether it deserves the people’s trust is another question. I would say not, given the arrogance, bias and general ignorance that most journalists display. But, as you note, skepticism of the institution empowers celebrity journalism: not only Hannity & etc. but frivolous TV comics like Samantha Bee and John Stewart. The celebrity culture corrupts journalism no less than politics.

Nineteen Eighty-four is indeed a terrifying novel, but its torture scenes are the least of that. In its portrayal of the mental atmosphere of a totalitarian society Orwell’s fictional dystopia truly terrifies. Imagine gaslighting raised to the level of state policy: that’s the essence of it. To disbelieve the evidence of your eyes and ears, to not only say that 2+2=5 but to believe that it does, and all because the omnipotent Party requires it, is a thing more horrible than physical torture.

    Tom Gregg

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    Tom Gregg

    I write & publish on Medium short stories, poetry, essays, commentary, reviews & more.