Reader Reactions to DOUBLETHINK

We want to know what you thought about the book. Did the story capture your attention? Did it change how you see anything? What kinds of conversations did sharing the book generate?

Personal Responsibilty

This is a term that is bandied about constantly. Let's talk about what it does and should mean.

Other Sites or Books of Interest

What other websites or books do you think the readers of Doublethink might find interesting? Creators of these are also welcome to call attention to their own work. Note: these references are suggested by the people posting them and no endorsement or agreement is implied by Raise the Bar Press or the author of Doublethink.

Immigration

This is an incredibly complex and difficult issue. It does not seem like there are direct correlations between one's political affiliation and a pro or con position on any of the sub-issues. Can we find the opportunities for common ground?

Taxes

Why are taxes so bad? What government service that you or your extended family receive today (public schools, good roads, Medicare, Social Security, etc.) would you be willing to give up to reduce your tax bill? If you could tell Congress where you wanted your tax dollars to go (i.e. military vs. social programs), would it make paying them more palatable?

Health Care

In the first post will be the questions posed in the study guide. Let's see if this framework helps foster a thoughtful discussion of this complex web of interconnected issues.

Doublethink in action

Doublethink: In his dystopian classic, 1984, George Orwell defines "doublethink" as the "power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously and accepting both of them." Where do you see examples of the practice in this novel? In your life? In the media?

Saying What's On Your Mind

As Joe listens to the speech by the re-elected President, he admits to himself where he disagrees with the administration’s policies. Why do you think Joe won’t tell most people what he really thinks? Is this something you see a lot of people do as well?

Suggestions for the Sequel

The author is in the process of writing a sequel to Doublethink. In this work Maria will emerge as a prophet, a new political movement—the Common Sense Party—will form, and Americans will question whether we are on the right course. If you would like to make suggestions for issues to be included, please indicate them here with links to supporting sites and articles.

Married to the Man

This funny political commentary is about what it's like to be married to a guy who looks just like Dick Cheney. Our first micro-video to promote the book is a collaboration between Raise the Bar Press and GGFilms.