Complete control of your mind. All thoughts and actions are monitored, and anything that goes against the party is immediately a criminal offense, and something to be shameful of. The government controls what we can feel, think, and believe. These are the harsh conditions set inside the famous 1984 by George Orwell. However these conditions seem increasingly relevant today, as we notice the degradation of free thought and the ability to speak our minds. 

The most glaring example of course, would be the political polarization we face today, and the lack of empathy and nuance when discussing politics freely. Especially online, misinformation can help for millions not grounded in reality, making it harder to reach common ground, or even be informed about possible policy proposals or changes. The media plays into this, often making our social media platforms places that are an eco chamber of only our thoughts, leading us to believe that everyone thinks the way we do. This in turn causes even more frustration as we’ve never had to challenge our own beliefs, and thus often struggle when trying to defend them. In this way, our social media controls what we think and believe, by only sending us things we already agree with. The more time we spend scrolling, the more extreme our opinions become. Without an active effort to interact with content or creators we disagree with, we risk falling into groupthink, and the ability to feel confident questioning those in authority. 

Another is the consistent censorship of books, including any deemed “too woke” or “inappropriate” to be read, even starting middle school. These books are often torn down not because of a genuine concern of graphic or sexual content, but simply because they host diverse characters and storylines. Ironically, classics like 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 have both been on the list of books to ban, again showing that bannings are more spontaneous efforts to control the American public than actually to protect kids from harmful content. By censoring books from diverse authors, we effectively lose out on representation for a large chunk of the American public. This also helps suppress topics that might be controversial, like having books with multiple moms or dads. Without a wide range of books to read, kids miss out on truly understanding the wide variety of people out there, and again are stuck in their own echo chamber. 

Finally, the problem of freedom of thought lies within us, and the actions we take everyday. When we find someone we disagree with, do we immediately write them off because of their views? Or do we try to engage in good faith discussions and understand their logic and reasoning? Without a culture of open communication and conversation, we find ourselves at risk of associating with just those like us. We should all be constantly looking for people that showcase a diversity of thought, values, and beliefs. By stepping outside of our comfort zone, we choose what we believe in, and we ensure we can define our position if we get the chance. Don’t let the government decide for you what you should believe, or who you should be friends with. Engage with people who disagree with you. Read books from diverse authors. Follow people you disagree with. Choose what to believe, and make sure you’re the reason, not anyone else.