1984 vs. Brave New World
These two books have been talked about in modern context as societies that we are starting to see in our world unfolding around us.
Most people refer to 1984 as the state which we are being driven towards but what are the differences?
What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a preoccupied and trivial culture. As Huxley remarked in Brave New World Revisited, the civil libertarians and rationalists who are ever on the alert to oppose tyranny "failed to take into account man's almost infinite appetite for distractions." In 1984, Orwell added, people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure.
In short, Orwell feared that what we fear will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we desire will ruin us.
Unfortunately I see the Brave New World around us. The majority of people are happy as they are, unaware of what is going on in their governments. Happy to accept whatever deplorable acts their leaders do, too busy playing with their new ipod, watching the latest movies and spending their money on ridiculous trivialities in the endless attempt to keep up with the jones'.
Our world may just be in serious trouble.
Most people refer to 1984 as the state which we are being driven towards but what are the differences?
What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a preoccupied and trivial culture. As Huxley remarked in Brave New World Revisited, the civil libertarians and rationalists who are ever on the alert to oppose tyranny "failed to take into account man's almost infinite appetite for distractions." In 1984, Orwell added, people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure.
In short, Orwell feared that what we fear will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we desire will ruin us.
Unfortunately I see the Brave New World around us. The majority of people are happy as they are, unaware of what is going on in their governments. Happy to accept whatever deplorable acts their leaders do, too busy playing with their new ipod, watching the latest movies and spending their money on ridiculous trivialities in the endless attempt to keep up with the jones'.
Our world may just be in serious trouble.
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