Doublethink, manipulation and creativity

Doublethink was a concept introduced by George Orwell in his novel 1984, one of the most visionary and original works of science fiction. In its essential meaning it has to do with a manipulation mechanism by which people come to think two contradictory things at the same time, without realizing it.

Many artists have taken up the concept of doublethink, but no longer as a device to manipulate, but as a creative resource. From ideologies it is possible to make someone think in absurd terms, but from poetry, and for another purpose, the same effect can also be achieved.

Therefore, The concept of doublethink is a weapon to generate control or to dream, breaking with the limitations imposed by logic.. It could also be said that it is a tool of totalitarianism, or a liberating path. Depends.

Doublethink: what does it consist of?

in the novel 1984 the link between language is masterfully exposed and power. Doublethink as such is part of a form of social indoctrination in the work. In this case, the objective of power is to get people to admit as true what is false, or vice versa.

Likewise, people accept two contradictory ideas at the same time, as if no such contradiction existed. Many times the contradiction occurs between the memory and the real event; or between the obvious meaning of some fact and another completely opposite one that has been dictated by power.

Although it is a work of fiction, the truth is that it applies perfectly to reality and remains valid today. An example of doublethink would be the very common case of “cleaning” the biography of figures who are considered “heroes” by a certain regime. In that narrative, Their feats and successes are exalted, and their errors or crimes are minimized or kept silent at the same time..

The essence of doublethink

In the work of George Orwell the concept of doublethink appears through a pseudo-character called Emmanuel Goldstein, whose work, Theory and practice of oligarchic collectivism, the characters read. In that context, this practice is literally defined like this: “doublethink means the power, the faculty of holding two contradictory opinions simultaneously, two contrary beliefs held in the mind at the same time”.

Other condiments are added to this essential idea, such as: The essential act of power consists in “the use of deception awarewhile preserving the firmness of purpose that characterizes authentic honesty.”

To do this, Orwell’s work says, lies must be told and “sincerely” believed in them. Also, forget what is not convenient to remember and only bring it from the memory chest when it is convenient. Furthermore, “denying the existence of objective reality without stopping for a moment from knowing that the reality that is being denied exists.”

As you can see, they are all actions associated with words and, in some cases, with memory. Therefore, The word as such is a terrain of power and the derived narratives can become ways of manipulating. Perhaps those who are followers of “conspiracy theories” and similar topics should think about it. When investigating the origin of these ideas, we usually find totalitarianism.

Creative doublethink

Holding a contradiction with grace is also possible. In fact, it is not only possible, but In many cases it helps reveal some truth that is not so obvious or that has great significance.. Around this, works such as The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quijote of La Mancha. Her doublethink revealed a desire to see beyond the world of the ordinary.

The paintings of Magritte or Escher fulfill a similar role. Even quantum physics has found that reality does not work in a mechanical way and that sometimes paradox is perfectly possible. This is what happens, for example, with the famous Schrödinger’s paradox, in which it is plausible that a cat is alive and not alive at the same time under certain circumstances.

Art has that magic that is not there to be controversial, but to be perceived and felt. Instead, power should always be discussed, as it has the potential to generate deception and manipulation.. That’s the lesson of doublethink.

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