1984 has passed. The Cold War is over. The collapse of oppressive totalitarian regimes leads to the conclusion that these governments, by their nature, generate resistance and are doomed to failure. The fictional world of George Orwell's novel 1984 is best described as desperate; a nightmarish dystopia where the omnipresent state enforces perfect conformity among members of a totalitarian party through indoctrination, propaganda, fear and merciless punishment. In the aftermath of the fall of capitalism and nuclear war, the world was divided between three virtually identical totalitarian nation-states. A state of perpetual war and poverty is the rule in Oceania. However, this is just a backdrop, far from the most terrifying aspect of life in 1984; a complete loss of individual freedom, thought and privacy in exchange for false security and obedience to a totalitarian government. Was Orwell describing something he had seen in his own life, or was he projecting a warning of things to come? How relevant is 1984 to modern society? Most Americans don't want to live in an Orwellian society under the close surveillance of Big Brother, but we do. Like it or not, we live in a society that accepts virtual strip searches at airports; surveillance cameras; “discount” cards that record our purchasing habits; barcodes; “cookies” and spyware on our computers; online access to satellite technology that can image our backyards; and microchip radio frequency identification devices already implanted in our family dogs and soon to be integrated into our groceries, credit cards, cash and new underwear. It is possible that, in the not too distant future, our newborn will be "chipped" before leaving the... middle of paper ...... The fact is that the tendency towards violence is only us let us become stronger and we become blind to the injustices committed by our government in the name of freedom. As we focus on Iraq and our adversaries become more ambiguous and blind, we must ask ourselves: "Who is the real enemy?" » Yes, 1984 is behind us. Big Brother may not really exist, and it has been said that 1984 fails as a prophecy because it succeeded as a warning; Orwell's terrible vision has been avoided. Is America gradually sliding towards an Orwellian society? Maybe not, but no nation is indestructible. It is imperative to note that his name is everywhere. Big Brother isn't really watching. He doesn't need it. We are monitoring him. This is why George Orwell's 1984 remains a relevant work of social and philosophical commentary more than fifty-five years after its completion...