What is thoughtcrime?

Thoughtcrime is a concept that originates from George Orwell's dystopian novel, "1984." In the novel, thoughtcrime is the criminal act of holding unspoken beliefs that contradict or are deemed unacceptable by the ruling party. In the totalitarian society of Oceania, citizens are constantly monitored by the Thought Police, who punish individuals for harboring dissenting or rebellious thoughts.

Thoughtcrime is considered a serious offense in the novel, as it is seen as a threat to the Party's control and power. The enforcement of thoughtcrime serves to suppress independent thinking and maintain the Party's grip on society.

The concept of thoughtcrime has since become a widely used term to describe the act of punishing individuals for their beliefs or thoughts, particularly in authoritarian or totalitarian regimes. It has also been used to critique censorship, surveillance, and violations of free speech.