Olivia, you are one of the brave ones; I have SO much respect for you. You both articulated so many excellent points...about isolation, about how movements take time...People don't invest time in much these days! The most frightening part of 1984 was, indeed, the mind control, which they perfected with technology. The most frightening sentence in this interview: "Civil society always makes the choice"; I fear that our society is passively making a horrific choice. I look forward ,(if you can call it that), to seeing this film. Thanks to both of you for all you do.
Thank you so much for listening to the conversation. I understand the caveat before watching, haha! Please let me know when you do get a chance to watch it. I would love to hear what you think.
That conversation was so awesome ...Thank you Olivia for your choice of guest, Raoul Peck summed up everything so concisely and every word was so relevant to the World we live in during these testing times.
The "erosion of the truth" has been with us since the Mohawk Valley formula in the '30s and the constant demonization of any collective effort as socialism or communism. It ratcheted up under Reagan and rose to insane new levels under Trump/MAGA.
1984 was popular because it was based on a realistic, predictable scenario.
Restraining powerful people is the biggest problem facing civilization.
Saw this on Saturday (though sadly had to leave 10 minutes early bc my friend was not feeling well, so missed the last 10 min as well as Raoul's Q&A.). What a great job of hammering home the fact that in so many ways, these are NOT completely unprecedented times we're living in. Bone-chilling Nazi footage, juxtaposed to Musk's salute, the marching, and of course, the lies. Soul-crushing really, especially when so much of our nation is tuned out and apathetic. The current urgency, of course, is that not only is all this going on, but our institutions are caving in ways they never have. And the technology is advanced enough to accomplish what Orwell predicted. Olivia, thank you again for being one of the brave ones. I intend to be on my feet on Oct. 18th.
"History has always taught us that real change never takes place from the top on down. It always occurs from the bottom on up. It occurs when ordinary people get sick and tired of oppression and injustice—and fight back." -- Bernie Sanders in Common Dreams, 10/2/25
Olivia, I've followed you since you warned us about what you witnessed in the 1st DT term. I admire your bravery, truth telling & legit compassion for our country. You are an example of a true public servant. It's comforting to know we still have intelligent people out there doing the right thing. You're an inspiration. Thank you for all you do. I'm hoping this documentary is available for everyone to watch at some point soon. I truly feel there's more people waking up to what is happening in America. We need to be louder with truth telling to drown out the lies! I believe there's more good people than bad. We need to encourage eachother to continue to resist in the many ways we have been. Protests are being suppressed on legacy media and social media which is all owned by a handful of oligarchs.
Fascinating. In Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground, the narrator rails against the tyranny of "twice two equals four" -- which he takes to be an affront to his personal freedom. IMO something similar underlies MAGA. People feel imprisoned by facts and logic. They're rebelling against it. The resentment has always been there, masked by traditional standards of rationality in public discourse. Only let someone come along who is willing to openly mock facts and deride logic, and they will flock to his standard. Trump is the Spartacus of irrationality.
Olivia, you are one of the brave ones; I have SO much respect for you. You both articulated so many excellent points...about isolation, about how movements take time...People don't invest time in much these days! The most frightening part of 1984 was, indeed, the mind control, which they perfected with technology. The most frightening sentence in this interview: "Civil society always makes the choice"; I fear that our society is passively making a horrific choice. I look forward ,(if you can call it that), to seeing this film. Thanks to both of you for all you do.
Thank you so much for listening to the conversation. I understand the caveat before watching, haha! Please let me know when you do get a chance to watch it. I would love to hear what you think.
After 50 years my memory of the book (except for the sexy parts!) had faded. Wanted to consume it as quickly as possible so got it in Audible.
Chilling.
"Oranges and lemons say the bells of St. Clemens..."
Thank you both, I cannot wait to watch the film!!
That conversation was so awesome ...Thank you Olivia for your choice of guest, Raoul Peck summed up everything so concisely and every word was so relevant to the World we live in during these testing times.
Thanks Olivia. I’m going to have to check this out. 2+2=5
Orwell. Saw this coming 1984 Animal Farm. Genius.
Thank you. You’re the best. I got in the que. I will let you know my observations when I watch it.
Thanks so much for the enlightening interview, Olivia. I look forward to seeing the film.
Sounds like a wonderful film that I would love to see! If change is up to US then it's up to US!
The "erosion of the truth" has been with us since the Mohawk Valley formula in the '30s and the constant demonization of any collective effort as socialism or communism. It ratcheted up under Reagan and rose to insane new levels under Trump/MAGA.
1984 was popular because it was based on a realistic, predictable scenario.
Restraining powerful people is the biggest problem facing civilization.
Saw this on Saturday (though sadly had to leave 10 minutes early bc my friend was not feeling well, so missed the last 10 min as well as Raoul's Q&A.). What a great job of hammering home the fact that in so many ways, these are NOT completely unprecedented times we're living in. Bone-chilling Nazi footage, juxtaposed to Musk's salute, the marching, and of course, the lies. Soul-crushing really, especially when so much of our nation is tuned out and apathetic. The current urgency, of course, is that not only is all this going on, but our institutions are caving in ways they never have. And the technology is advanced enough to accomplish what Orwell predicted. Olivia, thank you again for being one of the brave ones. I intend to be on my feet on Oct. 18th.
"History has always taught us that real change never takes place from the top on down. It always occurs from the bottom on up. It occurs when ordinary people get sick and tired of oppression and injustice—and fight back." -- Bernie Sanders in Common Dreams, 10/2/25
Olivia, I've followed you since you warned us about what you witnessed in the 1st DT term. I admire your bravery, truth telling & legit compassion for our country. You are an example of a true public servant. It's comforting to know we still have intelligent people out there doing the right thing. You're an inspiration. Thank you for all you do. I'm hoping this documentary is available for everyone to watch at some point soon. I truly feel there's more people waking up to what is happening in America. We need to be louder with truth telling to drown out the lies! I believe there's more good people than bad. We need to encourage eachother to continue to resist in the many ways we have been. Protests are being suppressed on legacy media and social media which is all owned by a handful of oligarchs.
Fascinating. In Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground, the narrator rails against the tyranny of "twice two equals four" -- which he takes to be an affront to his personal freedom. IMO something similar underlies MAGA. People feel imprisoned by facts and logic. They're rebelling against it. The resentment has always been there, masked by traditional standards of rationality in public discourse. Only let someone come along who is willing to openly mock facts and deride logic, and they will flock to his standard. Trump is the Spartacus of irrationality.