Amusing Ourselves to Death: Huxley vs Orwell

Originally posted on RecombinantRecords.net

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SirBill (2) March 24, 2013

Why cannot both be equally right? Although this makes many good points to elevate the level of concern that Brave New World is fairly prophetic, it does not discount the many good examples we have of an intrusive Orwellian government also in the rise.

Indeed, if you think about it the Orwell side is the danger from government, the Huxley side is the danger from capitalism…

But here’s a question I would posit to see how badly off we really are. Do you see this as a problem in your own world, or a problem you imagine for society in general? I ask because I most people I know strike a reasonable balance between electronic distraction and more healthy things like exercise, reading, doing things outdoors, etc. It’s very easy to image all sorts of people we do not personally know having issues that we are concerned about, while the real problem occurs at a lower rate than we imagine.

Why cannot both be equally right? Although this makes many good points to elevate the level of concern that Brave New World is fairly prophetic, it does not discount the many good examples we have of an intrusive Orwellian government also in the rise. Indeed, if you think about it the Orwell side is the danger from government, the Huxley side is the danger from capitalism... But here's a question I would posit to see how badly off we really are. Do you see this as a problem in your own world, or a problem you imagine for society in general? I ask because I most people I know strike a reasonable balance between electronic distraction and more healthy things like exercise, reading, doing things outdoors, etc. It's very easy to image all sorts of people we do not personally know having issues that we are concerned about, while the real problem occurs at a lower rate than we imagine.

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@SirBill Reply
- Aldous Orwell (1) July 8, 2013
  
  You nailed it. Both are right. I just finished reading both books. Huxley was right about our endless distractions. (Facebook, twitter, television, sex, laughing at others). Orwell was correct as well with the government constantly waging war and watching us, (the NDAA, Constant global wars and conflicts, 911 false flag attacks to spur patriotism, fear of imprisonment…). They work together, but both author were writing about contrasting sides. BOTH were invariably correct.
  
  You nailed it. Both are right. I just finished reading both books. Huxley was right about our endless distractions. (Facebook, twitter, television, sex, laughing at others). Orwell was correct as well with the government constantly waging war and watching us, (the NDAA, Constant global wars and conflicts, 911 false flag attacks to spur patriotism, fear of imprisonment...). They work together, but both author were writing about contrasting sides. BOTH were invariably correct.
  
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  @Aldous Orwell Reply
fastpoose (2) February 2, 2013

A shallow piece… Orwell hasn’t written just one book as most know. Just ask the people of North Korea if Orwell was wrong…

A shallow piece... Orwell hasn't written just one book as most know. Just ask the people of North Korea if Orwell was wrong...

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@fastpoose Reply
- WhateverDunce (2) October 28, 2014
  
  Orwell described North Korea. Huxley Described Western Civilization.
  
  Orwell described North Korea. Huxley Described Western Civilization.
  
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  @WhateverDunce Reply
- devildogtrip (0) March 25, 2013
  
  Totalitarianism has been enslaving people since dirt was new. Self-enslavement is only a problem for societies that have reached the top of Maslow’s hierarchy. We have seen the enemy and he is us.
  
  Totalitarianism has been enslaving people since dirt was new. Self-enslavement is only a problem for societies that have reached the top of Maslow's hierarchy. We have seen the enemy and he is us.
  
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  @devildogtrip Reply
Kiesha Jean (1) March 27, 2011

fuck me that’s GREAT!

fuck me that's GREAT!

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@Kiesha Jean Reply
WhateverDunce (2) October 28, 2014

Orwell described North Korea, Cuba and Iran. Huxley described Western Civilization.

Orwell described North Korea, Cuba and Iran. Huxley described Western Civilization.

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@WhateverDunce Reply
BrightBlueNumeral (1) November 25, 2013

Actually, I think Ray Bradbury nailed it.

Actually, I think Ray Bradbury nailed it.

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@BrightBlueNumeral Reply