Anthem Essay
The article “North Korea announces ban on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube,” published on The Guardian, illustrates the extent in which the government regulates control of citizens privacy. On April 1, 2016, North Korea had officially banned many social media sites, such as Facebook and YouTube, “in a bid to further control access to outside information” (Talamadge). An estimated two million North Koreans had found that access to social media sites had been denied, while others experienced warning notifications. “The new restrictions will make it more difficult for visitors or the small community of foreign residents in North Korea to post real-time information about the country to the outside world, and will further limit the ability of North
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Koreans with internet access to view information about their country posted elsewhere.” (Talamadge). North Korea has also warned that hackers, or anyone who tries to login in an “improper” way, would be subject to punishment under North Korean law (Talamadge). Anthem, Ayn Rand’s dystopian fictional novella, contains many equivalent ideas to that of the North Korean Government.
Anthem is written in the format of a diary of Equality 7-2521, a young man living in the future in which all sense of individualism is lost. All aspects of the citizens are controlled by the “Council”, and everyone “strive(s) to be like all [their] brothers, for all men should be alike” (Page 7). The Council appoints each citizens to their jobs, and are told to “not choose in your minds the work you would like to do when you leave the Home of the Students. You shall do that which the Council of Vocations shall prescribe for you.” (Page 20). Equality 7-2521 finds himself in a constant struggle with the attempts of his society to force his individuality and strives to break the bonds of collectivism set by society. Like Anthem, the North Korean government aims to oppress citizens rights by blocking media outlets, and the concept of “Freedom of Speech.” As the ban on media relieves the opportunity “of residents in North Korea to post real-time information about the country to the outside world, and will further limit the ability of North Koreans with internet access to view information about their country posted elsewhere.” (Talamadge), it can also be concluded that North Korea and the Collective Government in Anthem solely implements measures for the security of the government, not for the welfare of the people. The government in Anthem, secluding the
concept of individualism from the citizens, sought to exterminate the “Unspeakable word,” or “I”, from society to prevent the inhabitants from distinguishing themselves from others, and possibly feeling superior to them.
Koreans with internet access to view information about their country posted elsewhere.” (Talamadge). North Korea has also warned that hackers, or anyone who tries to login in an “improper” way, would be subject to punishment under North Korean law (Talamadge). Anthem, Ayn Rand’s dystopian fictional novella, contains many equivalent ideas to that of the North Korean Government.
Anthem is written in the format of a diary of Equality 7-2521, a young man living in the future in which all sense of individualism is lost. All aspects of the citizens are controlled by the “Council”, and everyone “strive(s) to be like all [their] brothers, for all men should be alike” (Page 7). The Council appoints each citizens to their jobs, and are told to “not choose in your minds the work you would like to do when you leave the Home of the Students. You shall do that which the Council of Vocations shall prescribe for you.” (Page 20). Equality 7-2521 finds himself in a constant struggle with the attempts of his society to force his individuality and strives to break the bonds of collectivism set by society. Like Anthem, the North Korean government aims to oppress citizens rights by blocking media outlets, and the concept of “Freedom of Speech.” As the ban on media relieves the opportunity “of residents in North Korea to post real-time information about the country to the outside world, and will further limit the ability of North Koreans with internet access to view information about their country posted elsewhere.” (Talamadge), it can also be concluded that North Korea and the Collective Government in Anthem solely implements measures for the security of the government, not for the welfare of the people. The government in Anthem, secluding the
concept of individualism from the citizens, sought to exterminate the “Unspeakable word,” or “I”, from society to prevent the inhabitants from distinguishing themselves from others, and possibly feeling superior to them.