Thoughtcrime and Precrime

Which kind of crime is committed when thinking about it? Isn’t just a thought? Could the law punish us for something that we haven’t even done yet? Well, it is common knowledge that the only place where we can be really and absolutely free is in our minds. But what happens if the ruling power control our thoughts? It may sound impossible, but to control thoughts has to do with shape people’s minds more than having a technological machine to make us a kind of all-obeying zombie. In words of Smith: 

“One of Orwell’s astute observations about politics and society that forms the axis around which his novel 1984 is that the media have an incredible degree of influence with respect to  shaping thought”. (Smith, 2012)

In terms of economy or publicity, for example, big companies know how to “force” us to buy something we don’t need by shaping the way in which society is perceived, making us think that we will be happier or fit better in the world by having this amazing product that you can absolutely prescind from. Or the government makes us think that something is good or necessary - in terms of their programs for health, education, etc. -to live better when there is evidence that is not. Well without going deeper into the examples, that is what Orwell’s try to evidence in 1984.

“Orwell’s point in Nineteen Eighty Four is precisely that Big Brother’s rhetoric exerts pressure on the consensus” Shaping our concept of reality is the way in which Big Brother control people. (Kenner, 2004).

Now, this made me think about a quote from the novel where Syme says to Winston:

"Don't you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it. Every concept that can ever be needed will be expressed by exactly one word, with its meaning rigidly defined and all its subsidiary meanings rubbed out and forgotten." (Orwell, 1949)

Suppressing the vehicle for thought (language), the Big Brother aims to suppress “crime” (rebellion). They shape the way in which world is perceived and make it look like if it were something nice or a good initiative. But, is it okay to shape people's minds? Is it good to determine crime within a simple thought? Weren't our minds our safe place to be, our place to be free?

Well, this situation made me recall a movie called “The Minority Report”, starred by Tom Cruise. Here is the trailer: Precrime - Minority report trailer

 The plot is very simple but at the same time very deep. In a future, thanks to highly advanced technology and the help of three clairvoyant, the police department would be able to foresee a crime before it happens by merging these two elements (the seers and technology). Of course, the question is evident. “Can we choose?” Maybe all of the feelings and intentions of a certain person are inclined to kill someone, but if this person repents before doing anything? What if a person decides to change the course of actions and do something different?

Well, if you watched the movie you know that Tom Cruise (John Anderton in the movie), goes through this situation by being accused of killing a man he doesn't even know. Fortunately he tells that he can change his future by making a choice, therefore he makes the predicton of the clairvoyants false. So, the important question is: Is it fair to punish someone if he/her hasn’t actually done anything? Or at least, not yet? Where is the limit of what the ruling powers are allow to do in order to keep the peace? Is it okay to control our minds in order to have control? 

Just check this video called "we'll be watching you", this is the short version of 4 minutes but there is another one a bit longer of half an hour called Big Brother is watching you: thoughtcrime is illegal talking about new implementations that might help predict if a person is about to commit a crime. (Check out the 'V' for Vendetta's mask at the beginning ;) )

I think that this is the question that Orwell asked to himself and captured in 1984 so that we can be critical about the people we let lead us, think about it to keep our minds as free as possible.

Can you think in other books or movies where the plot makes us think about these limits?

References

Kenner, H. (2004). Hugh Kenner on Language, Art and Politics. In H. Bloom, Bloom's guide. George Orwell's 1984: comprehensive research and study guide. (pp. 82-85). New York: Chelsea house. Retrieved November 14, 2014

Orwell, G. (1949). Nineteen Eighty-four. Retrieved from http://www.george-orwell.org/1984/index.html

Smith, N. (2012, January 17). Article Myriad. Retrieved November 14, 2014, from http://www.articlemyriad.com/role-media-society-1984-george-orwell/