The Soviet Union

This essay is based off the book 1984 by Orwell and refers to big brother from that book CHOOSE ONE (1) of the two topics, not both: 1. Some argue that 1984 was written to warn against the dangers of the Soviet Union, but because the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991, this book is now irrelevant. Do you agree? Should high school students still read 1984?  OR 2.   Is our technology taking us closer to or farther away from the world of Big Brother? (Here are some things to consider when discussing this topic…of course, you have your own ideas, too: • Facial recognition software • Artificial Intelligence (AI) • Cellphone tracking and data collection • Computer and cell-phone hacking • The “Internet of Things” (computer-controlled devices such as smart speakers, thermostats, refrigerators, even lightbulbs) • Data encryption with “backdoors” for the police • Surveillance cameras • Surveillance drones (some of them armed) • Privacy on social media • Internet memes and fake news (this is related to propaganda) • “Deepfake” video (this technology can make an incriminating video from just a selfie)  • Internet bots