The chilling dystopia depicted in George Orwell's *Nineteen Eighty-Four* resonates even more powerfully in the age of ubiquitous machine learning. While Big Brother's omnipresent surveillance was a product of totalitarian control, today's data-driven world presents a different, yet equally pervasive, form of monitoring. Algorithms track our online behavior, influencing everything from the advertisements we see to the news we consume. This constant data collection raises concerns about privacy and the potential for manipulation, echoing Orwell's warnings about the erosion of individual freedom. However, the impact of technology extends beyond the digital realm. The family unit, once considered the bedrock of society, is also undergoing a transformation. The rise of artificial intelligence, while offering conveniences such as smart homes and automated childcare assistance, simultaneously challenges traditional family structures. Increased screen time and the constant accessibility of digital devices can lead to social isolation and strained family relationships, replacing face-to-face interaction with digital communication. This shift, although different in its specifics, parallels the Party's systematic dismantling of family bonds in Orwell's novel, weakening the potential for dissent and independent thought. Orwell's insightful observation on the interplay between state control and the erosion of personal freedoms holds a striking relevance today. While the methods may differ – subtle algorithmic manipulation versus overt oppression – the underlying principle remains the same: the gradual but inexorable diminishment of individual autonomy. The anxieties surrounding the future of privacy and the evolving nature of the family unit in the digital age reflect, in a modified form, the dystopian vision portrayed in *Nineteen Eighty-Four*. Understanding the historical context of Orwell's work, therefore, provides a crucial lens through which to analyze and engage with the complex challenges of the 21st century.
1. According to the passage, what is a key similarity between Big Brother's surveillance in *Nineteen Eighty-Four* and the current data-driven world?
2. How does the passage characterize the impact of artificial intelligence on the family unit?
3. What is the main purpose of the passage?
4. The phrase "inexorable diminishment of individual autonomy" suggests: