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The Original Big Brother Came Much Earlier Than The Reality Show. George Orwell Described a Police State Society Which Bears Frightening Similarity to the USA Today.

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The original Big Brother reality television show premiered on the CBS network during the summer of 2000.

Since the initial program, reality television programs have flooded the airwaves, distracting Americans from substantial issues of today.

In that case, Big Brother was the network as it monitored and edited the tape created from the numerous cameras stationed around the house and in the yard, recording every movement, statement and breath of the contestants.

In reality TV, the director of the first season of the reality show would be the original Big Brother of the entertainment world.

The term came from the popular novel written by George Orwell called 1984 and written in 1947-48 (published in 1949 before his death).

In the book, Big Brother was the image of the public face of the government ruling over the country of Oceania.

A totalitarian regime, they controlled and monitored everything that the people of Oceania did or even thought of doing.

It was impossible for the people to think otherwise as the phrase “Big Brother is Watching You” was everywhere.

CBS made use of the term to garner the attention of the masses forced to read the book during their respective school days.

In the literary world, Big Brother was the creation of author and socialist democrat George Orwell.

In reality, meaning real world reality, not the pseudo television version, the original Big Brother would have to be the inspiration behind Orwell’s novel. Joseph Stalin.

Stalin ruled in a totalitarian style of regime over the Soviet Union.

Being an avowed socialist democrat, Orwell wanted to illustrate, in a rather perverse way, a perception of society under a Stalin like rule.

While Stalin could be called the first Big Brother, the world may be in danger of seeing a more powerful version being created right in front of us.

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The Future?

A central character in the novel gives a rather eerie prediction for the future:

“There will be no curiosity, no enjoyment of the process of life. All competing pleasures will be destroyed.

“But always do not forget this, Winston always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler.

“Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless.

“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face… for ever.”

– George Orwell’s novel, 1984.

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Analysis

Orwell was a strong political activist and wrote often about what he thought the political future might be.

Looking back at that description of the future, one cannot help but wonder if Big Brother, Orwell’s creation, has become reality.

Power seems to be the drug of the day as the rich continue to garner more and widen the gap between themselves and the poor.

The original Big Brother may have been Stalin, but the modern corporation may soon be taking over.

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