Motives

Something that I find very true coming from both Didion and Orwell is their admitting of writing as an act of manipulating one’s mind. Whether a piece of writing is informative, aesthetic, or straightforwardly persuasive, all writing is meant to be read by someone. I liked Orwell’s story a lot more; although I have a bias from reading and thoroughly enjoying 1984.

Orwell stated that motives for writing usually fall under four different categories, and it is hard to tell which ones influence us the most sometimes. However, he admits that he knows which one ‘deserves to be followed’, which is writing with a political purpose. I personally welcome the idea of changing hearts and minds through writing or other means—it can be powerful, and its effects are at times immeasurable. I also think that egoism is always a motive in almost everything that people do, whether it is weak or strong. It doesn’t always have to be in expected ways, such as gains in approval, reputation, or recognition—it could be to make oneself wiser, to test ones limits, or to be a part of something bigger than ones self.
Just the thought of Orwell reminded me of a comic I bookmarked a while ago, which can really make you think if you haven’t thought about it too much before: http://www.recombinantrecords.net/images/2009-05-Amusing-Ourselves-to-Death.png

Orwell also mentioned his upbringing, and how his loneliness as a child attributed towards some of the reasons why he welcomed writing as a medium. I think that it is interesting, just reflecting on my life, how a lot of the negative instances in my life had more of a positive impact than all the good things that have happened. In fact, a lot of good things that happen to me have some negative consequences that go with them. I think that there is some kind of slippery slope effect that starts at ones childhood and can stick with them for the rest of their life. A lot of important development happens then, and it really can define us in that sort of way.

side note: I was suppose to post on Monday, but I went into this week thinking that Wednesday was the day for me to post (looked at 3/14 instead of 2/14.)