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⚫ {{redirect|Crimethink|the anarchist organization/experiment|CrimethInc.}}
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⚫ {{redirect|Crimethink|the anarchist organisation/experiment|CrimethInc.}}


In the ]n novel '']'' by ], '''thoughtcrime''' is the criminal act of holding unspoken beliefs or doubts that oppose or question the ruling party. In the book, the ] attempts to control not only the speech and actions, but also the ]s of its subjects. Unacceptable thought is known as '''crimethink''' in ], the ideologically purified dialect of the party.<ref>{{Citation |last=Orwell |first=George |last2=Rovere |first2=Richard Halworth |title=The Orwell Reader: Fiction, Essays, and Reportage |page=409 |year=1984 |origyear=1956 |location=San Diego |publisher=Harcourt, Brace |isbn=0-15-670176-6 }}.</ref> In the book, ], the main character, writes in his diary: "Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime ''is'' death." In the ]n novel '']'' by ], '''thoughtcrime''' is the criminal act of holding unspoken beliefs or doubts that oppose or question the ruling party. In the book, the government attempts to control not only the speech and actions, but also the ]s of its subjects. Unacceptable thought is known as '''crimethink''' in ], the ideologically purified dialect of the party.<ref>{{Citation |last=Orwell |first=George |last2=Rovere |first2=Richard Halworth |title=The Orwell Reader: Fiction, Essays, and Reportage |page=409 |year=1984 |origyear=1956 |location=San Diego |publisher=Harcourt, Brace |isbn=0-15-670176-6 }}.</ref> In the book, ], the main character, writes in his diary: "Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime ''is'' death."


== Thought Police ==<!-- This section is linked from ] --> == Thought Police ==<!-- This section is linked from ] -->
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{{Quote|Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it; moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard. There was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment. How often, or on what system, the Thought Police plugged in on any individual wire was guesswork.|Part I, Chapter I, ''Nineteen Eighty-Four''}} {{Quote|Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it; moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard. There was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment. How often, or on what system, the Thought Police plugged in on any individual wire was guesswork.|Part I, Chapter I, ''Nineteen Eighty-Four''}}


At times, it seems as if the telescreen is constantly watching each citizen. Winston Smith recognizes that he has no idea who is behind the technology, watching him or anyone else. At times, it seems as if the telescreen is constantly watching each citizen. Winston Smith recognises that he has no idea who is behind the technology, watching him or anyone else.


{{Quote|If you made unexpected movements they yelled at you from the telescreen.|Part III, Chapter I, ''Nineteen Eighty-Four''}} {{Quote|If you made unexpected movements they yelled at you from the telescreen.|Part III, Chapter I, ''Nineteen Eighty-Four''}}
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== See also == == See also ==
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
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== References == == References ==
⚫ {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

⚫ {{reflist}}


== Further reading == == Further reading ==
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* Cunningham & Cunningham, Inc. "''''". * Cunningham & Cunningham, Inc. "''''".
* The Essayist, "''''" July 24, 1998. * The Essayist, "''''" 24 July 1998.
* Evenson, Brad, "''''". National Post, February 8, 2003. * Evenson, Brad, "''''". National Post, 8 February 2003.
* Peabody, Michael "," Liberty Magazine, March/April 2008. * Peabody, Michael "," Liberty Magazine, March/April 2008.
* Reuters, "'': U.S. Toughens Child Pornography Law''". October 2, 1996. * Reuters, "'': U.S. Toughens Child Pornography Law''". 2 October 1996.
* ''Guardian'' report: July 25, 2000. * ''Guardian'' report: 25 July 2000.
* New York Post, "''''". March 3, 2012. * New York Post, "''''". 3 March 2012.




Revision as of 08:33, 28 August 2012

"Crimethink" redirects here. For the anarchist organisation/experiment, see CrimethInc.

In the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, thoughtcrime is the criminal act of holding unspoken beliefs or doubts that oppose or question the ruling party. In the book, the government attempts to control not only the speech and actions, but also the thoughts of its subjects. Unacceptable thought is known as crimethink in Newspeak, the ideologically purified dialect of the party. In the book, Winston Smith, the main character, writes in his diary: "Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime is death."

Thought Police

Main article: Thought Police

The Thought Police (thinkpol in Newspeak) are the secret police of the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. It is their job to uncover and punish thoughtcrime. The Thought Police use surveillance and psychological monitoring to find and eliminate members of society who challenge the party's authority and ideology.

The Thought Police of Orwell and their pursuit of thoughtcrime were based on the methods used by the totalitarian states and ideologies of the 20th century. They are a satirical expression of Orwell's "power of facing unpleasant facts" and his willingness to criticise prevailing ideas, which brought him into conflict with others and their "smelly little orthodoxies".

The term "Thought Police", by extension, has come to refer to real or perceived enforcement of ideological correctness.

Technology and thoughtcrime

Technology played a significant part in the detection of thoughtcrime in Nineteen Eighty-Four—with the ubiquitous telescreens which could inform the government, misinform and monitor the population. The citizens of Oceania are watched by the Thought Police through the telescreens. Every movement, reflex, facial expression, and reaction is measured by this system, monitored by the Ministry of Love.

Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it; moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard. There was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment. How often, or on what system, the Thought Police plugged in on any individual wire was guesswork.

— Part I, Chapter I, Nineteen Eighty-Four

At times, it seems as if the telescreen is constantly watching each citizen. Winston Smith recognises that he has no idea who is behind the technology, watching him or anyone else.

If you made unexpected movements they yelled at you from the telescreen.

— Part III, Chapter I, Nineteen Eighty-Four

Because of this system of surveillance, the Thought Police and the Ministry of Love become universally feared by any member of the Outer Party or any one of the 'Proles' who is capable (or felt by the Party to be capable) of thoughtcrime.

See also

References

  1. Orwell, George; Rovere, Richard Halworth (1984) , The Orwell Reader: Fiction, Essays, and Reportage, San Diego: Harcourt, Brace, p. 409, ISBN 0-15-670176-6.
  2. McCormick, Donald (1980), Approaching 1984, Newton Abbot, Devon, England: David & Charles, p. 21, ISBN 0-7153-7654-3.

Further reading

  • Kretzmer, David (2000), Kershman, Hazan Francine (ed.), Freedom of Speech and Incitement Against Democracy, The Hague, Netherlands: Kluwer Law International, ISBN 90-411-1341-X {{citation}}: Missing |editor1= (help).

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