You Are Being Brainwashed - Duncan Trussell

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.

In 'Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth,' R. Buckminster Fuller investigates the great challenges facing humanity, such as survival, automation, individualization, and resource utilization. He questions the concept of specialization, advocates for a design revolution of innovation, and offers guidance on guiding 'spaceship earth' toward a sustainable future. The book emphasizes the importance of managing Earth's finite resources sustainably and critiques pollution and other threats to human survival. It was first published in 1969 following an address given to the American Planners Association in 1967.