People are not like sheep; they are sheep. Where the masses go, the individuals follow, consciously or not. All of society's values, morals, and views are influenced by the "consensus of our community." It's evident from events throughout history, books, and individual experiences. The various "witch hunts" that have occurred throughout history are famous for the mob mentality they've fostered. In 1984, the government trains the masses to be homogenous followers. While the United States government is not as domineering, pop culture provides for a lot of modern examples of homogeneity.
             Witch hunts like the ones in the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as the Salem witch trials and the communist hunts in the 20th century exploit human fears to condemn innocent victims. People were accused of being witches, or of being communists. Before the accusations, no one would have considered it even remotely possible, but afterwards, the accused were as good as severed from society. In the McCarthy era, people who were accused would be blacklisted, even if they were never found to be guilty of anything. Many of the people who did the accusing, though definitely not all, truly thought their victims were guilty. Their intention was to make society better, and now we see that their goal was far from accomplished. Some science fiction novels explore what happens when a government tries to force all its citizens into a particular mode of thinking.
             1984, by George Orwell, is the story of Winston Smith, a man who tries to rebel against society, but ultimately gives in to the Party. He represents how all members of his society eventually fall to the government's will. It is our perception of reality that declares their society to be wrong. To them, we are the dissidents whose ideas and actions will cause chaos and disorder. It is because we value ideas such as individuality, truth, and love, that we would criticize their government.
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