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“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”

George Orwell

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Simplified Meaning:

The idea here is that whoever has power now can shape how we remember history, and this can affect what happens in the future. When a group or person in charge changes history's story to fit their needs, they can influence how people think and act going forward. For example, if a government rewrites school textbooks to make past leaders seem like heroes, people might be more willing to follow that government in the future. This control over information gives them the ability to guide future decisions and beliefs. It shows the importance of being aware of who is telling us about our history because that narrative can steer where we go next. By understanding this, we can strive to seek out the truth and not just accept what we are told without question.

Related tags
1984 Authoritarianism Control Dystopia George orwell History Manipulation Philosophy Power Totalitarianism
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