Uploaded January 2022 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
Click here to sign up for free and the first 200 people to sign up get 20% off an annual subscription: brilliant.org/freedominthought
ABOUT THE VIDEO
_
In this video, I talk about 1984, George Orwell, totalitarianism, authoritarians, and truth.
Throughout his novel 1984, Orwell maintains that in order to protect yourself from the authoritarian, you must never abandon the truth. The authoritarian wants absolute power over you, and one of the things they need to achieve this is for you to abandon the truth. How does holding on to the truth protect you from the authoritarian? That’s what I’m interested in exploring, and as always, I’m gonna explore this idea through a dialogue.
When you abandon the truth, you stop being able to learn. And when you stop being able to learn, you become less able to take care of yourself. And when you become less able to take care of yourself, you become more dependent on others. And the authoritarian uses this dependence to gain absolute power over you. But by holding on to the truth, educating yourself, and becoming independent, you become a threat to the authoritarian. You undermine the source of their power, which is dependence, and you become capable of liberating yourself, and others, from their control as well.
OUR COURSES
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Coming soon. Sign up to my newsletter to be notified when they release.
OUR MERCH
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Coming soon. Sign up to my newsletter to be notified when they release.
OUR BOOKS
_
Follow No One comes out December 2022. Sign up to my newsletter to receive an e-mail when it comes out and read exclusive essays from the book: bit.ly/3mu7VGM
OUR FAVOURITE TOOLS
_
Shortform. The best non-fiction book summaries (unlimited access for 5 days and 20% off an annual subscription when you use my link): bit.ly/3bmSXwy
Adobe. The software I use to make my videos:
Epidemic Sound. Where I get my music: bit.ly/3FrStmh
RELATED VIDEOS
_
Practical Philosophy Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5faAYlGYYoF7rgKH4oo_B81n4wE1n2xP
CONNECT WITH US
_
Instagram: instagram.com/freedomintht
Twitter: twitter.com/freedomintht
CONNECT WITH ME
_
Instagram: instagram.com/justintht
Twitter: twitter.com/justintht
Personal Youtube: bit.ly/32rJ9QB
PODCAST
_
Freedom in Thought Podcast: bit.ly/3mS76YT
FURTHER READING
_
1984 by George Orwell: geni.us/iaUfg
NOTES
_
(1) Videos are just my opinion, for entertainment and informational purposes. Just some things to think about—not advice.
(2) Some of the links in the description are affiliate links which I get a kickback from—at no extra cost to you.
Click here to sign up for free and the first 200 people to sign up get 20% off an annual subscription: brilliant.org/freedominthought
ABOUT THE VIDEO
_
In this video, I talk about 1984, George Orwell, totalitarianism, authoritarians, and truth.
Throughout his novel 1984, Orwell maintains that in order to protect yourself from the authoritarian, you must never abandon the truth. The authoritarian wants absolute power over you, and one of the things they need to achieve this is for you to abandon the truth. How does holding on to the truth protect you from the authoritarian? That’s what I’m interested in exploring, and as always, I’m gonna explore this idea through a dialogue.
When you abandon the truth, you stop being able to learn. And when you stop being able to learn, you become less able to take care of yourself. And when you become less able to take care of yourself, you become more dependent on others. And the authoritarian uses this dependence to gain absolute power over you. But by holding on to the truth, educating yourself, and becoming independent, you become a threat to the authoritarian. You undermine the source of their power, which is dependence, and you become capable of liberating yourself, and others, from their control as well.
OUR COURSES
_
Coming soon. Sign up to my newsletter to be notified when they release.
OUR MERCH
_
Coming soon. Sign up to my newsletter to be notified when they release.
OUR BOOKS
_
Follow No One comes out December 2022. Sign up to my newsletter to receive an e-mail when it comes out and read exclusive essays from the book: bit.ly/3mu7VGM
OUR FAVOURITE TOOLS
_
Shortform. The best non-fiction book summaries (unlimited access for 5 days and 20% off an annual subscription when you use my link): bit.ly/3bmSXwy
Adobe. The software I use to make my videos:
Epidemic Sound. Where I get my music: bit.ly/3FrStmh
RELATED VIDEOS
_
Practical Philosophy Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5faAYlGYYoF7rgKH4oo_B81n4wE1n2xP
CONNECT WITH US
_
Instagram: instagram.com/freedomintht
Twitter: twitter.com/freedomintht
CONNECT WITH ME
_
Instagram: instagram.com/justintht
Twitter: twitter.com/justintht
Personal Youtube: bit.ly/32rJ9QB
PODCAST
_
Freedom in Thought Podcast: bit.ly/3mS76YT
FURTHER READING
_
1984 by George Orwell: geni.us/iaUfg
NOTES
_
(1) Videos are just my opinion, for entertainment and informational purposes. Just some things to think about—not advice.
(2) Some of the links in the description are affiliate links which I get a kickback from—at no extra cost to you.
