Page 3 | Sometimes I feel like this is George Orwell’s 1984

Namechangeforobv · 2021-05-20T13:36:20+00:00

Name change as my last thread attracted a lot of attention. Anyway, am I the only one that feels like freedom of speech is slowly dying?! If my opinion or views differ from the ‘woke’ then it is clearly not valid! For example I voted to leave the EU, I chose this because leaving benefitted me more than staying. My personal circumstances, my personal choice. Conversation starts at work about it, I was asked what I voted and immediately discussion closed because it was so “wrong” that I had voted this. YABU for “no your wrong” YANBU for “yes I agree”

Theworldisfullofgs · 20/05/2021 16:07

The world is weird.

Apparently trading with Australia is better than trading with the EU. Tiny market vs large market. Other side of the world vs next door. Historucally : We export a tiny amount to them vs they export loads to us and it will do the farmers what they've done to fishing.

But if Frost doesn't even know what the benefits are then why would anyone else.

PPE, Daniel Morgan inquiry, historical child abuse inquiry, covid in general etc etc ...but they got lucky with vaccinations and gave people furlough £££ so everything is OK, isn't it.

freakyfridays · 20/05/2021 16:07

@Namechangeforobv

I said Brexit benefitted me personally, this is not something that should be questioned or discussed to be honest as it’s private information. I’m guessing I’m being questioned as you can’t possibly fathom leaving as being a good thing in your opinion?

I am sorry, are you the one starting a thread complaining about the lack of "discussion"? 🤦

user1471453601 · 20/05/2021 16:07

You have a right, of course, to your opinion.

The thing that stands out in your post to me, is the fact that the decision YOU made was because it benefited you and your current circumstances.

You appear to have no consideration for society as a whole,independently of what benefits you.

Is that a true reflection of your feelings?

If so, do you feel others should be free to behave in similar way? So,for example,I want what you have (your money, your home, your children, your paartner). Wouldn't I be equally justified in just taking those things?

If you think I shouldn't do that, shouldn't you consider the impact of your vote to leave on others, who unlike you,may not "benefit" leaving the EU?

If you think I would be justified in taking things from you that I would like, please pm your address and let me know when you will be out.

boobot1 · 20/05/2021 16:08

@Mousetown

Are you being persecuted for talking about your views?

I usually find when people use words like “woke” and say “freedom of speech is dying” what they actually mean is that people are challenge their views and they don’t like it.

But thats the point they don't challenge, they cancel. Everyone seems so extreme these days on both sides. Censorship has been taken to extreme levels, it's quite frankly frightening. Civilisation is in rapid decline.

Original poster

Namechangeforobv · 20/05/2021 16:12

I think everyone’s opinion is valid. Don’t agree with cancelling or censoring views that are different from the majority. Also agree with gender segregated toilets

OP posts:

ChaBishkoot · 20/05/2021 16:13

Who has cancelled or censored your views???

Refusing to speak to you is exercising MY freedom of speech. It's not cancelling you or censoring your opinion.

BlitheringBlathers · 20/05/2021 16:13

Conversation starts at work about it, I was asked what I voted and immediately discussion closed because it was so “wrong” that I had voted this.

I don't know if it's just me/my family, but I was raised to think it's rude to ask someone how they voted, it's private!

ChaBishkoot · 20/05/2021 16:14

And I don't think everyone's opinion is valid. If you think people who are non white are inferior, I am sorry that's not a 'valid' opinion. That's an opinion, and a racist one.

I don't need to engage with someone who believes that. And it is ABSOLUTELY my right to walk away from such a discussion.

Original poster

Namechangeforobv · 20/05/2021 16:14

@user1471453601

You have a right, of course, to your opinion.

The thing that stands out in your post to me, is the fact that the decision YOU made was because it benefited you and your current circumstances.

You appear to have no consideration for society as a whole,independently of what benefits you.

Is that a true reflection of your feelings?

If so, do you feel others should be free to behave in similar way? So,for example,I want what you have (your money, your home, your children, your paartner). Wouldn't I be equally justified in just taking those things?

If you think I shouldn't do that, shouldn't you consider the impact of your vote to leave on others, who unlike you,may not "benefit" leaving the EU?

If you think I would be justified in taking things from you that I would like, please pm your address and let me know when you will be out.

I feel that everyone should vote for what feels right for them.

OP posts:

Chanjer · 20/05/2021 16:14

I think everyone’s opinion is valid

I think everyone should have a chance to air then but that's not the same as every opinion being a valid one

Badyboo · 20/05/2021 16:15

Have you been eaten by rats, shot like a dog in the street, been continuously monitored by a camera in your house?

No? Then it's not really like 1984 at all is it? Just some of your colleagues think you're a bit of a dickhead, that's all

Mousetown · 20/05/2021 16:16

But thats the point they don't challenge, they cancel. Everyone seems so extreme these days on both sides. Censorship has been taken to extreme levels, it's quite frankly frightening. Civilisation is in rapid decline

A pp has posted a helpful explanation on what freedom of speech is and isn’t. You might like to read it.
Civilisation is not in rapid decline because someone does not want to engage with you on something, or because a private business does not wish to host views that go against their T&Cs.

Sunflowers095 · 20/05/2021 16:16

@Namechangeforobv

I said Brexit benefitted me personally, this is not something that should be questioned or discussed to be honest as it’s private information. I’m guessing I’m being questioned as you can’t possibly fathom leaving as being a good thing in your opinion?

So you come here moaning the discussion was cut short but you're the one saying you don't want to discuss this? Wtf?

Most people who voted Brexit voted without educating themselves on what this means and/or their vote was a reflection of their xenophobia. While a lot of people will claim that's not true, often it is.

The fact that you voted Brexit but can't/won't discuss why tells me quite a lot as it is and I'm not surprised people don't want to engage in debates with you.

Embroideredstars · 20/05/2021 16:16

@Flyonawalk

Definitely right OP.

You know the last line of 1984 is ‘He loved Big Brother’. Substitute ‘He loved lockdown’ and you have the pandemic’s final destination.

Interesting...

I too think we are sometimes in "1984" and another sorry by EMForster called "The Machine Stops" where everyone lives alone in a room where all their needs are met by a machine. They don't communicate in person, only is machines, they don't go outside, they breathe fresh air and they don't see living things grow.

I wonder what will become of us all and increasingly think this is turning into a world I don't want to live in

ChaBishkoot · 20/05/2021 16:16

You can vote whatever way you want. I can find your political views abhorrent, tell you you are wrong and not speak to you. You can then post about it on the internet, tell other people at work, complain to your family.
No one has censored your views or cancelled them.

If you can't deal with people telling you that you are wrong, then I fear that you may have both misunderstood freedom of speech, and you are somewhat too delicate.

Sunflowers095 · 20/05/2021 16:17

@Badyboo

Have you been eaten by rats, shot like a dog in the street, been continuously monitored by a camera in your house?

No? Then it's not really like 1984 at all is it? Just some of your colleagues think you're a bit of a dickhead, that's all

😂😂

BarbarianMum · 20/05/2021 16:18

Freedom of speech includes the right to challenge people's opinions OP. So you dont get to, on the one hand, get the hump because people dont agree with you and on the other, whine on about losing freedom of speech . It means everyone, not just you!

Susannahmoody · 20/05/2021 16:19

I do sometimes feel like I'm only talking to robots

Everyone is so guarded

KinseyWinsey · 20/05/2021 16:20

Too complex a concept for the op! 🤣

Dustinto · 20/05/2021 16:21

If it is 1984 you’re on the side of Big Brother.

All the tabloid newspapers, who have significant influence in the UK, and lots of the press were on the Leave side so you’re not being different or rebellious voting for it.

Perhaps people are annoyed at having their rights removed as a result of your choice

Embroideredstars · 20/05/2021 16:23

For what it's worth too (although this shouldn't become a discussion about Brexit) I'm a remainer and don't use terms like "woke" but I think people don't apply critical thinking to a lot of situations. I also think the current trend for social media clickbait and snappy headlines means people make snap judgements and decisions on very little solid evidence.

I'm always saying to my dc to be wary about what they read and see but particularly on places like tiktok where it is just one person's view of the world and they may have very little knowledge on the subject they're speaking about.

ilovesooty · 20/05/2021 16:24

@Orf1abc

If my opinion or views differ from the ‘woke’ then it is clearly not valid!

When you use the term woke as a means of offence, it's no wonder that people don't wish to engage with you. If you can't be respectful to others, you shouldn't be surprised when people don't pay you the same courtesy.

I agree. I hate the sneering use of "woke" anyway.

Original poster

Namechangeforobv · 20/05/2021 16:26

@BarbarianMum

Freedom of speech includes the right to challenge people's opinions OP. So you dont get to, on the one hand, get the hump because people dont agree with you and on the other, whine on about losing freedom of speech . It means everyone, not just you!

When did I get the hump?! I just don’t think I have to explain myself as to why I voted leave for my reason to then be discredited or belittled because you may not agree

OP posts:

Isitsixoclockalready · 20/05/2021 16:28

@Mousetown

Are you being persecuted for talking about your views?

I usually find when people use words like “woke” and say “freedom of speech is dying” what they actually mean is that people are challenge their views and they don’t like it.

Yeah, I'd tend to agree with that. That's the difference between being genuinely willing to engage with an opposing view and just disagreeing with the right of someone to have an opposing view. It's kind of back to that rather tedious "you're a fascist v you're a lefty liberal" argument.

freakyfridays · 20/05/2021 16:29

Badyboo