Two Minutes Hate

In George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, the citizens of the superstate, Oceania, have to participate in a daily event known as the Two Minutes Hate. Here’s the description according to Wikipedia:

The Two Minutes Hate is the daily, public period during which members of the Outer Party of Oceania must watch a film depicting the enemies of the state, specifically Emmanuel Goldstein and his followers, to openly and loudly express hatred for them. The political purpose of the Two Minutes Hate is to allow the citizens of Oceania to vent their existential anguish and personal hatreds towards politically expedient enemies: Goldstein and the enemy superstate of the moment. In re-directing the members’ subconscious feelings away from the Party’s government of Oceania, and towards non-existent external enemies, the Party minimises thoughtcrime and the consequent, subversive behaviours of thoughtcriminals.

Does this sound familiar?

It eerily reminds me of the Trump supporters that stormed Capitol Hill last week. They’ve been brainwashed from the Trump adminstration to direct their anger towards the system itself, while chanting USA and calling themselves patriots.

The 24 hour new cycle and social media is a modern day Two Minutes Hate, but instead of two minutes we are bombarded 24/7.