When does 2+2≠4?

I watched "Orwell: 2+2=5" recently and I can't get it out of my head.

The documentary goes into the life and career of George Orwell and how his political observations are still relevant in the present day, particularly the lessons from his novel "1984".

One of the ways authoritarianism works is by narrowing what we think is possible.

- There is only one acceptable answer
- There is only one way to see things
- To stop imagining alternatives

Creativity does the opposite.

Every time we imagine something that doesn't exist yet, we're proving reality isn't fixed. Every story that reframes a problem, every unexpected visual, every "What if...?".

These are acts of resistance.

Orwell wrote fiction that helped people feel what totalitarianism would be like. That's the power of creative work.

The work of designers isn't about decoration or aesthetics.

The work of designers is political work when choose to see the world differently, question assumptions, or imagine alternatives.

This is why I love the Solarpunk mindset. This is why we need stories of abundance instead of just doom.

Imagination is at the heart of this. If we can't imagine it, we can't build it.

Authoritarianism wants you to accept 2+2=5.

Creativity reminds you that 2+2=4.

BTW, I love Raoul Peck's work. Add him to your "Must Watch" list .