Sanity is not statistical.

I just finished reading 1984 by George Orwell and I have to admit it belongs to the best books I've ever read.
Just imagine a world, in which you seem to be the only one being aware of what is really going on, but where at the same time people who resist the government's insane system vanish and whether never come back, or they are made to change their world-view. And no, not exactly by having a few good arguments.

This is the world in which Winston, the main protagonist finds himself, in a love-banning and power-seeking world, a cold utopia reigned by hate, ignorance and censorship. Big Brother's Party controls everything, the past the present and the future simply by re-writing history. It also tries to be in charge of people's thoughts and feelings. If the Party says two plus two makes five it becomes a fact people aren't allowed to doubt. That's why Winston comes up with his own definition of freedom:

Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.

But seeking 'otherness' isn't a safe thing in a world like that. Sooner or later Winston finds himself arrested and imprisoned behind the secretive walls of the Party's prison, the Ministry of Love.

This is also where one of the book's key scenes takes place; Winston is talking to O'Brian who is about to torture him and despite the obvious circumstances Winston still feels attached to his old friend who has betrayed him in the worst way possible. Nevertheless, he is thankful that O'Brian seems to understand his feelings, sometimes even better than Winston himself, and for this Winston just can't escape his former friend's influence.

O'Brian has his own way of maximising the party's principles, by saying:

'Obedience is not enough. Unless he [the individual] is suffering, how can you be sure he is obeying your will and not his own?'

However, the Party knows it can't win against humanity. The fight against it is an inherent part of their policy, despite being very much aware of how the world is going to look like without it:

'It will be a world of terror as much as a world of triumph... Goldstein [the enemy] and his heresies will live forever. Every day, at every moment, they will be defeated... - and yet they will always survive.'

The Party knows that there will be always individuals fighting its system, hence its main aim is to make heretics love the Party and "Big Brother" whose principles form the golden laws of this cruel society. After braking people's personality their 'victims' either want to die or they get killed anyway. Nevertheless, Winston is still fighting for his own ideas, he does his best to cling to his last, what he considers as a sane, idea

'To die hating them, that was freedom.'

This seems to be nothing, but in the end he fails to reach this seemingly small goal.

To sum it up, 1984 is shocking and touching at the same time, and the story does hurt. Especially the last chapter.
So, if you really want to read an excellent book then I can recommend it to you. It's a real masterpiece.

EDIT: I couldn't help noticing that the vast majority of people who end up reading this post in the first place googeled the words 'sanity is not statistical meaning'. So to please them, to me the tittle of this post means that other people can only say what they think is right or wrong. Let's take the famous example of Galileo Galilei. He was forced to deny his theory of the Earth rotating around the sun, although he and we know he was right. So to put Orwell's quote into Galilei's words: 'In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.' That's what Orwell was trying to say, and actually said.

News.

I'm sorry for this very non creative title, but that's really what I'm writing about: News.

I think I haven't post a link to Matt Smith old Cannes interview yet, so here it is. The beginning is a bit weird...

Oh, and maybe you haven't come across this one. There were a few rumours about a new Doctor Who movie, and the BBC has announced recently that David Tennant would like to put on the legendary brown coat for a last real Doctor Who adventure.

Life the Universe and Everything

Hi froods out there.

This is going to be one of those posts about pretty obvious things:
Tomorrow is the annual Towelday, one of the most important days of the year.

So, have a nice day and don't forget your towel! You may need it.

And those who think I'm just writing about some kind of mind boggling nonsense: let me direct you to this link.

Yes, but not if we're going into a nightmare.

Two weeks ago, we were all glued to our idiot's lanterns and watched "Planet of the Dead" [PotD]. Ok, that's an exaggeration, as there were more people watching "Britain got Talent" than Doctor Who... but who cares. I bet those who stumbles across this blog belongs to the "PotD" minority. 

So, what was this eagerly awaited episode all about. Firstly, I need to say it was one of Russel T Davies' [RTD] best episode we've ever had. Only "The Runaway Bride" has been better in my opinion. But maybe that's only me, because I'm a Donna fan, and because I like having a "real" villain on the screen. But I'm glad the PotD's "swarm" wasn't put down as "simply bad".

I know Lawrence Miles' famous "PotD" review. I wished he wouldn't delete his posts constantly, although this time he sailed really close the wind. If it were still available I would have posted a link. But it's not. Not yet. He's going to write a new one, although I always like the first version more, it's more spontaneous.

So, here is my first objection. I'm sorry, but the Tritovores were.... pointless. They didn't look great or interesting, or is it that they just don't fit? Don't get me wrong. I liked them in a very non terrestrial way, but "Planet of the Dead" is the wrong episode to appear in for them. I wonder if the producers of "The Fly" will take the BBC for copyright infringements to court. 

Talking about pointlessness. Are humans really like those passengers behaved? I don't think so. Maybe I'm living in an area with really extraordinary people, but just have a look at your accompanion on the public transportsysthem in the morning... what do you see? Are we really this shallow? 

I have to admit there have been also a few positive aspects about "PotD", elsewise I haven't written that it was RTD's second best episode. I loved Edward' Lee performance. Malcolm was a great character, a typical genius. Chaotic, loyal and just with the right portion of craziness. I hope this hasn't been the last time Malcolm appeared on our screens. 

>So, what about the others. There isn't a lot to say about David Tennant that hasn't already been said many times by many others. We already know he's magnificent and we'll still going to miss him. After waiting three month for the next episode I almost got used to the idea him stepping out of the TARDIS. But now I still can't believe it. Then: Michelle Ryan did a great job. Cathrina de Souza was an amazing character, and she and the Doctor were an incredible good team. She was one of the few sensible characers with whom the Doctor worked with, although she wanted to follow him after all. Her answer to the Doctor's "Allons-y" - "Oui, mais pas si nous allons vers un cauchemar. [Yes, but not if we're going into a nightmare.] should be hanging in a frame on the wall of the TARDIS, reminding the Doctor's companions of what's so obvious. But this nightmares are exactly the reason why we love this show. 

The next nightmare "The Waters of Mars" (The Wars of the Master/ or Hamster Software) looks really angsty. We've had an amazing cliff hanger, and I bet, Russel T Davies will spoil the last episode by writing a final a la Russel T Davies: with pointless dialogues, with an unrealistic storyline, and yes, I do know that Doctor Who is a science - fiction show, so nothing is really impossible, but I'm just asking the main writer to concentrate a little bit more on the word "science" than on "fiction". Thank you very much. 

I hope he won't bring Rose back, but again, it's RTD we are talking about. I don't feel like wanting another "Journey's End" fiasco. And that's exactly what RTD's finales usually are.

RTD's desirable Utopia

Only three very effective words: I'm shocked! If you haven't heard the recent news, just have a look at this.

I know we're facing an economic crisis and that because of this development the government spends less money on culture, just the same way every one else do. But I think they are wrong when they don't fund children's television anymore. RTD says:

"They're our children, they're the most vital and precious resource you could ever find. It is more important than industry, it is more important than the economy, it is more important than food and education."

Maybe he isn't the most innovative script writer (I'm sorry, that's my honest opinion), but if there's one thing he's really adapted in, then it's children's television. You don't need to be an expert to be able to say "he knows his job". Because of him "Doctor Who" became the show we know and love today. Before him it was something for "real" sci-fi fans, or it was considered as "children's stuff" (although I really love the old episodes as well). But he made it popular. And it's his "fault" that today millions of fans can't wait until Easter because of the next special.

And I also do know, the article isn't about Doctor Who but other programs (e.g. Sarah Jane's Adventures) although they don't want to raise too much money for the special effects anymore, but it's just the same. Right, they won't cancel one of their most successful programs. 

But we're living in the 21st century, and I really hoped we'll do a better job than 80 years ago... Cutting culture to a minimum has never been an effective way of facing and fighting, or rather defeating an economic crisis. We shouldn't only notice the economical potential of the entertainment industry, but that it can motivate people to achieve their goals, even defeating a crisis. And taking the money away from our children is certainly a step into the wrong direction, especially as parents don't seem to have too much time for them (thanks to the economic crisis), so our children deserve at least some kind of quality entertainment. No, I'm exaggerating. 

What I'm trying to say is: entertainment is an important part of every child's life. And if the government doesn't care about a child's spare time (as no matter how engaged one's parents are, there are always a few "spare" hours left), then others will do. And I think the government should rather invest some money into children's television now, than into drug-rehab-clinics in the future.

A Few Sentences About the Greedy Beeb

Yesterday I've been curious how long it would take to find someone uploading the whole Comic Relief to a video-sharing site, in other words to YouTube, giving all the non-British fans the chance of watching the show. Almost 24h after the original programme has started, I've found this. It's not complete yet, but I think it's getting there ;)
 

And for those who understand Lawrence Miles' humour, here's a short but pregnant rewiev of the whole story. Don't take it to seriously, although I have to agreee with some points...
 

I only want to show a few Utopian people the disadvantage of living abroad. Our "brave new world" isn't as up-to-date as the media wants us to believe. Today the French revoltion's slogan "Liberte, Egalite, Fratalite" hasn't reached the media's every-day life yet. To those living abroad, it can be pretty difficult to keep well informed, and it would be a great help if the beeb had a more open information-policy, especially when it comes up to some charity events.