In an Orwellian twist, the word “Orwellian” has been misused so much over the decades that it’s essentially lost its meaning. But George Orwell, author of the classics Animal Farm and 1984, was very clear in his beliefs. While he was progressive and prescient in many ways, he wasn’t without his flaws. This week, Sean Illing explores the real George Orwell wi ... Show More
Today
Is America a gerontocracy?
What does the country lose when one generation refuses to yield power? In this episode, Vox host Jonquilyn Hill talks with Idrees Kahloon, staff writer at the Atlantic, about why he believes America has become a gerontocracy – a government whose rulers are older than the rest of ... Show More
47m 7s
Oct 26
Inside the secret race to build artificial intelligence
What is happening behind the scenes of America’s largest AI companies? How could the squabbles, ideologies, and goals of their CEOs and engineers shape our future? In today’s episode, guest host Christine Emba sits down with technology journalist Kevin Roose to discuss his new bo ... Show More
44m 14s
Oct 23
What makes a life good enough?
What does it mean to have a good life when so much feels wrong? In this episode of The Gray Area, guest host Jonquilyn Hill speaks with Vox journalist Rachel Wilkerson Miller about her forthcoming book, The Nice Life. Rachel argues that even when we feel anxious or unsettled, we ... Show More
44m 4s
Jul 2020
1984 Explained | George Orwell
<p>George Orwell depicts what a world could possibly look like under an authoritarian regime in his dystopian novel 1984, coining neologisms such as Big Brother, Thoughtcrime and Doublethink. </p>
<p>Published in 1949, it remains highly influential in popular cu ... Show More
11m 12s
Sep 2015
Ep 132 - 1984, by George Orwell (Bonus Episode)
There's a reason why words like "Orwellian" and "thoughtcrime" have stuck in the public consciousness for more than 65 years, and that reason is George Orwell's 1984. A denser, more complex read than Orwell's also-famous Animal Farm, 1984 is a story about systemic government oppr ... Show More
1h 5m
<p><strong> </strong></p><br><p>For many, he is the greatest writer in the history of the English language. </p><p>Outside the UK, he is known as the author of two of the most important political fiction books in history: Animal Farm & 1984.</p><p>Learn about the amazing life ... Show More
