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From: alfke@csvax.caltech.edu
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: BRAZIL
Message-ID: <1488@caip.RUTGERS.EDU>
Date: Tue, 11-Mar-86 01:14:46 EST
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Posted: Tue Mar 11 01:14:46 1986
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From: alfke@csvax.caltech.edu

In his review of "Brazil", Mark Leeper writes:
> The book [1984] was his prediction from the viewing
> point of 1948 of what the next 36 years could bring.  It is a moot
> point how accurate his prediction was, but the book is still a
> valuable yardstick for measuring our current world.

Orwell was describing things that already existed in the world of 1948
and making them more obvious, not trying to predict 1984.  To view it
as prophecy makes it seem safer, but that wasn't his aim.

> All the technology in the world [of "Brazil"] is
> refinements of inventions that were around at the end of World War
> II.

Yes, I liked that, and it's also one of the things I liked about the
recent film of 1984.

> One exception, I think, is the Fresnel lens . . .

The Fresnel lens was invented by Messr. Fresnel sometime in the 19th
century (although he didn't use plastic, of course!).  But the TVs
being magnified by those lenses are too small to not contain transistors,
and those weren't invented until 1948, and not miniaturized until later.
It's a wonderful idea, though, looking at those tiny TV's through
magnifying lenses ...

Conclusive comment:
** Everyone go out and see "Brazil" as soon as possible **

					--Peter Alfke
					  alfke@csvax.caltech.edu