Why You Need to Read/Watch Certain Things

All societies have there ‘references’.   In ancient days, before most people could read, there were folk tales that were passed down the generations.   This gave people ‘reference’ points so that one word would refer to a complex situation.   The society had the same basics so that everyone knew what everyone else was talking about.

When more people began to read, the books available extended the ‘reference points’.   ‘Everyone’ read a specific novel and one could pluck characters or situations from the novel to use as examples.

Motion Pictures and Television extended the reference points.

I have mentioned books, movies, television programs that one needs to know.   Western culture, especially American, constantly references particular characters and events, and if one doesn’t know them, one is left out.

For example, today, the book 1984 by George Orwell is quite topical.   It is a dystopian novel; a future world, in which people are controlled.   There is the Ministry of Truth which spreads lies.

In 1984  last week the ration was two ounces of chocolate per person.  This week it is one and one half ounces. The Ministry of Truth will go back, change last week’s figure to one ounce and say that this week it has been raised to one and one half ounce.

Although you might remember buying two ounces last week, because of the process of ‘doublethink’ because of the constant propaganda, you know better than to say so.

The images of Trump’s inauguration prove that there was one third the crowd of Barack Obama.  But Trump tells you there was more.  So you are to believe there was more, and label all images of less as ‘Fake News’.

If you are unfamiliar with 1984 you would not be alert to the facts that you are being manipulated.  That Trump is practicing ‘doublethink’.

When it comes to television, the Twilight Zone was very important as it created a number of concepts which were later taken by other presentations.

Star Trek has passed into the lexicon and so if one is unfamiliar with it, so many references would be missed.

When it comes to motion pictures, the term ‘Gaslighting‘ comes from a very old presentation called ‘Gaslight‘ in which a husband tried to drive his wife insane.

In every society there are presentations which are taken into daily speech and thought.  If you don’t know them you are left confused, that is, if you even pick them up.

This is why I use the term ‘must’.

Even if you only glance at synopsis or one episode,  you need to be on par with others who know.