1984

1. a classic science fiction novel written by British writer George Orwell (real name Eric Arthur Blair) that was written as a warning of how governments can manipulate every aspect of citizens' lives (including the media) to brainwash them into becoming loyal complacent citizens (sheep) and use created situations as an excuse to deprive the populace of their freedoms and civil liberties and human rights. It was written in 1948, so Orwell was using the recent war and the totalitarian fascist and communist regimes that were defeated, as well as said type regimes that would soon be established. This book should be required reading in school, in order that the shit that has occurred since the end of the Cold War at the end of the 80s won't be happening again. History doesn't have to keep repeating itself. 2. adjective to describe something as "totalitarian", "sieg heil" or "Big Brother" or "Orwellian". 3. a hit album by Van Halen. Kept from the #1 album position by Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in early 1984. 4. a song by David Bowie that appeared on his 1974 album.