The Deception of Positivity

A constant theme in these two works, one that I don't believe is addressed enough, is that the masses need something that makes them think things are better off than they really are. Specifically, in Nineteen Eighty-Four, Winston's job involves altering data to make it appear that conditions and quality of life is improving, while he acknowledges that it is a blatant lie. And in The Truman Show, the fans of the show are made to believe that life is as good as it appears within the show (how else could one tolerate sitting in a bathtub all day??). These forms of deception, making the present appear better than it is through misleading data or misrepresented depiction, are just as prevalent in America as in the book or movie, and contribute to the morale and support of the government, the entertainment industry, and many corporations.