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Orwellian Clock

Posted by michael on from the funny-as-a-heart-attack dept.

thrig writes "I was wondering the feasibility of setting up an "Orwellian Clock," similar to the "Armageddon Clock" which arrived shortly after Nuclear Devices showed up on the scene. That way, eroded rights could be tracked, as we (possibly) march towards the vision set forth in 1984... " I like it. Considering that none - none - of the U.S. Presidential candidates are running on any sort of liberty-enhancing platform, it's only going to get worse. The 12 o'clock position would, of course, be occupied by "1984". Anyone up to the challenge?

3 comments

  1. neat idea... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Seems fraught with difficulties, though. Part of it, of course, is that it's always going to be just one group's opinion. This is unavoidable, of course, but you have to be aware it does mean that you're likely to run into a great deal of dismissive criticism - from both sides. There are those, after all, who argue that we're overdue for armed revolution in the US, and those who argue that anyone who complains about their "freedom" is a crackpot.

    As for the "always one minute to midnight" problem...I think that may be endemic to such clocks. After all, if you don't constantly trumpet the horrible dangers just around the corner, it'll sound as though you're saying things aren't really that bad, and people will stop paying attention to you...

    Nonetheless, the whole thing bears thinking about.

  2. Hours by Ray+Dassen · · Score: 1
    The 12 o'clock position would, of course, be occupied by "1984".

    In true 1984 style, it should be the 13 o'clock position of course (we're already at 12 o'clock).

  3. Media notice by Seth+Finkelstein · · Score: 1
    It would have to be done by an organization which gets media notice, otherwise no-one will care.

    Also, avoid the always-one-minute-before-doom syndrome.

    -The Boston Lunatic