> Some of the ideas he partially helped popularize like the concept of language shaping how we think has been pseudo-scientific nonsense that is still actively

> Some of the ideas he partially helped popularize like the concept of language shaping how we think has been pseudo-scientific nonsense that is still actively harming society today. Except instead of being applied by authoritarian regimes it is political activists that waste their energy on useless battles trying to police language. The childish idea that we could change society by changing how we speak is just too tempting . You're probably reversing cause and effect on this one. Orwell would have included Newspeak because he saw how other people were using it. H is reflecting reality, not leading it. Trying to control the linguistic parameters of the debate is just part of any argument. Political activists do like to take it into the realm of the silly it isn't just them doing it.