Huxley v. Orwell

Though Orwell's vision of the future world has some relevance, fairly minute, to today's society, huxley's was a much more accurate predicition. POstman's assertion that Brave New WOrld is a better reflection of today's society than 1984 is definite.

It is relatively simple to see parallels between many of the things we see every day and many of the things Huxley foresaw in his novel. The massive expanision of technology and scientific development coupled with society's emphasis on leisure and convenience are prominent indicators of a modern world similar to that of Huxley's vision, though Huxley's vision is taken to the extreme. The governmental oppression comprising Orwell's 1984 is not nearly as easy to relate to as the oppression stemmed from a love for "the technologies that undo their capacities to think" (Postman). Though to some degree there does exist a level of governmental censorship, especially in regard to certain violations of free speech such as the Patriot Act, it is foreign to that of Orwell's prediction. The prohibition of learning and knowledge is not a reality to society today but "man's almost infinite appetite for distractions" is (Postman).

Since the 1950s, society has generally lost much of its work ethic as science and technology have paved the way for laziness and leisure. Things ranging from mathematics to cotton-picking can be done infinitely faster and more easily thus draining the need to use one's brain and increasing the amount of time available for sheer leisure. Stem cell research, if used for the wrong reasons, can be a dangerous prelude to the "baby manufacturing" depicted in Brave New World. In addition, the instant gratification concept displayed in Huxley's novel is much more prevalent today than in the 1930s society in which the book was written.

Sexual culture has evolved almost beyond recognition since Huxley's time as sex and promiscuity have become much more commonplace and socially acceptable. In this, Huxley's theory of instant gratification can be seen clearly. The growth and accessibility of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs is another dangerous prelude to the society ruled by soma in Brave New World. Drugs ranging from antidepressants to male enhancement and energy boosting pills are a reality in today's world. It is easy to see such drugs becoming a gateway to the drug soma depicted by Huxley.

Without a doubt, Huxley's Brave New World vision can be seen in modern every-day life. Orwell's radical governmental dictatorship, on the other hand, is not nearly as applicable, at least to U.S. society.