I read George Orwell's "1984" in high school and it gave me nightmares for weeks. I was so terrified of "thoughtcrime" that I would mentally censor everything. I knew it wasn't possible but I was still nervous about the future.

Could they go back in time and arrest me for my previous thoughts? Should I preempt them and turn myself in? What is okay to think about?

It sounds absurd now but back then I was sure the Thought Police were out there.