Asimov's own predictions weren't always that great (no positronic brains or atomic powered everything yet), but I think he finally explained to me why I felt so depressed and angry reading 1984 with, "Orwell forgets the virtues human beings have." Most dystopian sci-fi is fun to read precisely because it has the very real aspect of "brave men and women who have withstood the tyrants..." That's inspiring. 1984 was valuable, but depressing.

But, why are we talking so much about 1984? This is an article about Animal Farm :-)