Christopher Hitchens on George Orwell (3/7)

[benthejrporter]

I doubt if the opening sentence of 1984 was an encoded tribute to the USA. Orwell might have been disturbed at the rise in the use of the 24-hour clock. I'm a Hospital Porter and there are practical reasons for a hospital running on the 24 hour clock, but it seems to appear in all kinds of places where it never used to appear before now.

[vashna3799]

I think Orwell was put off with America mainly with its "carnivorous capitalism " way of life and saw the country as the lesser of two evils compared to Russia , but had he lived another 10 years he might have had a more sympathetic view, but we can only speculate.

[callisto8413]

@vashna3799 I wonder what he would think of China right now - it seems to have taken capitalism and started running with it at a speed that seems dangerous even to people in the USA.

[vashna3799]

@callisto8413 Quite. Unless China seriously controls its overpopulation and becomes more enviromentaly aware they'll soon take over the US as the worlds biggest polluter. (capitalism, I've noticed is very anti-green )

[bongoloid77]

Omniscient as ever

[carsanookdotcom]

Thank you

Bangkok Johnny

Royaume de Thailande

[BernietheWombat]

at 1:44, does hitch almost vomit?

[username200203]

@BernietheWombat No, he has a frog in his throat, and his voice is almost failing. thats why he cleares his throat. typical for smokers.

[diceyLee]

first comment >>> oh yeah