From The Guardian Blog

[faustus]

SF used to be optimistic.
Now it is pessimistic.
It should be optimistic again.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2008/sep/24/science.fiction.fantasy.horror

Better insights in the comments

Comments

[buffysquirrel.livejournal.com]

What is he, 12? You only have to look at the modern-day UK to see how much notice was taken of Orwell's warnings.

[drasecretcampus.livejournal.com]

To paraphrase one of the comments -

All-pervasive CCTV and a faceless enemy we will fight forever (until they become our friend and our friend becomes an enemy).

Nah, it could never happen.

[buffysquirrel.livejournal.com]

We have always been at war with I/r/a/q Iran.