For a guy who's been dead for nearly 70 years, George Orwell has never been hotter.
Sales of his dystopian novel, "1984," surged to the top of Amazon charts after President Donald Trump's inauguration. And with every administration appeal to "alternative facts," or claims that "truth isn't truth," or attempts to call uncomfortable facts "fake news," Orwell raises his head again, as in this quote from "1984": "The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
It doesn't help that Trump instinctively -- but unintentionally -- echoed that exact line from a rally stage back in July. "What you're seeing and what you're reading is not what's happening." Yes, Orwell seems to be a man for all seasons right now. As we confront a rise in nationalism at home and abroad, Orwell helpfully reminds us that "nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism."
