If George Orwell wrote 1984 as a warning, what is it that he warns us about?

In 1984, George Orwell warns his readers of mankind's potential to destroy what makes us human. This destruction of man's humanity is accomplished by different means:

• Totalitarianism

One a socialist, Orwell became disillusioned with this ideology after living the life of a wandering socialist. When he witnessed what occurred under the Stalin regime, Orwell felt he should alert people to the dangers of the oppression that communist regimes wield. 

The proles are examples of the poor people who are virtually thrown away. The others are watched by Big Brother. Big Brother also exemplifies Orwell's concern that technology could be used against people's individual freedoms through spying on and recording words and actions. 

• Control of Information and History

Having witnessed how Nazi and Communist regimes used propaganda to disseminate misinformation and control ideas, and how history was revised to suit the ruling ideologies, Orwell warns against the death of truth. In 1984, Doublespeak, propaganda, and brainwashing are used to accomplish the death of truth. For instance, when Winston finally agrees 2+2=5, his brainwashing is complete and he no longer recognizes truth.

• Language as Thought Control

By eliminating words and changes in the structure of ideas, the government of Orwell's 1984 narrative controls thoughts that are not in accord with its ideology. This is much like today's political correctness that vilifies those who violate it, as well as efforts on university campuses to allow only one political side of thought in classrooms or with speakers. Moreover, in the world that Orwell constructs, there are no words for dissenting thoughts. Therefore, little dissension exists, so the government is able to control people.

By diminishing individual thoughts, disseminating propaganda, creating constant conflicts, and controlling information, the government of 1984 steals people's humanity from them. Orwell feels this scenario can, indeed, become a reality, and wrote 1984 to warn of this danger.