After not-so-subtly referencing 1984 the other day, I realized that I have never actually read it, and I probably should. I found the first 30 pages or so on google books and read those. It's freaky, but not in the same way Brave New World was freaky. The spy kids were especially scary. I'll have to pick up a copy the next time we're at the library so that I can finish it. (Hey, Amazon, if you're looking for someone to give a free Kindle to for review, I'd be perfect. Really.)
One thing that got me thinking was the Two Minute Hate. I thought the character's observations during the Hate were worth taking note of. He notices that it's difficult not to join in. It kind of grabs you, no matter what your rational thought says. It's not focused, though. One minute he hates the Enemy, the next he hates Big Brother. Then he decides to hate the woman sitting behind him.
That's really the way it is with anger, hate and contention. It is very contagious, even if where you focus it is different than the person you caught it from. Have you ever had a really hard time walking away from an argument, even when you know the other side will never be convinced, no matter how clever what you have to say is? And it is clever. And the more you argue, the more passionate you become in your beliefs?
Or maybe you're sitting around with your friend, and one of you says, "You know what I hate?" And you go back and forth, and it builds and builds.
Okay, maybe that last example was a little lame, but it's something to think about. And while you're thinking about it, you can head over to Sprite's Keeper to see what other bloggers have to say about hate in this week's Spin Cycle. (Side note: Did you know that "bloggers" is not in the Blogger spell checker? Ironic.)
7 comments:
I never thought of it that way but you're right; hate can be contagious and it builds.
Interesting.
Great Spin! You're completely right. Hate is contagious and very easy to catch. Probably easier than Swine Flu. :-)
You're linked!
It can totally be contagious. I have examples from life where it has been (not to me, but to other around me). I think it's also something left to adults to NOT bring children in to this mix. Ok. I'm digressing. Great Spin!
I agree with the contagiousness of hate. If you surround yourself with hateful people then you will be hateful too. If you surround yourself with loving supportive people, then you can loving and supportive also. I think that is why there is so many churches.
Very, very true. I think right now is a particularly important time to talk about hate this way. With all the unemployment and comparisons of have and have not, there is a huge potential for hate to grow, and there are people who will exploit that.
Great spin.
Good point---it is contagious! (Sometimes I catch that disease...) Thanks for the spin!
Reading this reminded me of something else I hate. Aurguments with my husband. Thank God they are few and far between!
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