Christopher Hitchens on George Orwell's 1984 (1/2)

June 8, 2009. Christopher Hitchens on NPR: Talk of the Nation. For more videos, updates and info on Christopher Hitchens, please visit http://www.dailyhitchens.com

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• 2009
• Christopher Hitchens
• NPR
• George Orwell

[DailyHitchens]

The pictures I've used are from google images or picsearch, simple as that. I haven't bothered to investigate where or when they were taken.

[QuasiRandomViewer]

Check out the link on the DailyHitchens website to the December 2009 C-SPAN2 After Words program where CH spends an hour talking Orwell with author George Packer. This time CH is the host!

[DailyHitchens]

Good, Thanks. I forgot to mention that.

[yRegal]

No I believe those pictures were taken of him as he was conducting the interview. After he discovered handsfree telecommunications he does all interviews this way. It's a great way to stay in shape but if you live in the DC area you better watch out.

[hcantsin]

The pictures are from an article he wrote about some of the more ridiculous laws in New York City. I think he's pictured above breaking the one where you can't ride your bike with your legs out. It might be a Vanity Fair article. I can't remember.

[DATCMOTO]

@jhvscs Yes, Orwell understood the nihilistic consequence of this truth, which is why the book (and not the film) ends on such pessimistic note: Smith is completely defeated and awaits only destruction.

But, before O'Brien begins the line of questioning we are discussing, he asks Smith; " do you believe in God?" and Smith responds; "No." to me, it is as if he must get that obstacle out of the way before he begins.. Please read the passage again and consider it.

All the best, toodle pip!

[jhvscs]

@DATCMOTO I don't have the text at hand, so I can't read read around your quote properly. I think the quote is much simpler, and suggests that morality is terminated along with the death of the human. 1984 seems if pertaining to anything numinous an argument against theocracy

[DATCMOTO]

@jhvscs But WHO'S morality? Jesus'? Hitlers? yours? mine? If the party destroys everyone (and ALL trace) of those who disagree with them, then that morality is destroyed.. BUT, if morality is not subjective, but objective (resides within an Eternal Being) then it cannot be destroyed.

[jhvscs]

@DATCMOTO not sure about that. Surely the statement implies that morality exists in the human

[americaisbacktrump]

@MattyGkid Brainwashed Marxist sociobot

[MattyGkid]

@americaisbacktrump Fascist crackpot.

[phinny5608]

This is a fantastic interview.

[DATCMOTO]

1984 is a succinct argument for the existence of God: O'Brien asks 'where does morality, spirit etc exist if we destroy all evidence of it/you?'

If there is no God then he is right.

[zillahnoir]

@hcantsin breakin the law!! :D



[HenryAcker]

R.I.P. Christopher Hitchens :(