Animal Farm
George Orwell
48 people recommended it in 22 threads, 2007–2026.
2 commenters pushed back on it — worth reading the threads.
What people on Hacker News said
It was the first time I realized books could be dangerous, subversive, and truly educational as well as simply informative or entertaining.
The anti-capitalist parts are fairly self-evident, at least to me: that's the rather brutal system the farmer has imposed on the animals at the start. Booting the farmer out and starting again with the animal-owned collective sets the story up for the real message, which is that power corrupts and it is very easy for anyone attracted to power to co-opt legitimate grievance for their own ends.
Over the years, the big impact of Orwell to me has been how readily people can look at systems that they consider to be Other than their own and critique them while eagerly ignoring the implications for their own situation.
This is arguably the best piece of satire I've read that is also fun and easy on the brain. It flows like water.
Why do you think your bosses get business travel, no limit credit cards, RSU, big bonuses and neat double digit monthly pay check. It is for YOUR sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples.
Where it comes up
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