Carter 1

Benjamin Carter
Mrs. Taylor
AP Language
5 January 2017
Huxley vs. Orwell
In both Aldous Huxleys Brave New World and George Orwells 1984, dystopian futures
exist under different influences. Neil Postman, a contemporary social critic, asserts that the
vision within Huxleys novel is more relevant in todays world than is Orwells. Orwells 1984
cautions a society oppressed by systematic oppression, government surveillance, and the
alteration of the past itself. On the contrary, Huxley warns of a society frittered away, as
Thoreau once said, by distractions, pleasures, and complacency. Although 1984 is surely relevant
in todays world, Postman is correct in his assertion that Brave New World envisioned many of
modern societys problems.
It cannot be denied that the horrors of 1984 exist in the modern world. In the United
States, per Edward Snowdens classified document leak, the National Security Agency, Central
Intelligence Agency, and Federal Bureau of Investigation hold peoples lives by a thread. Per
Snowden, the United States government can infer disturbingly personal, usually noncriminal,
statistics and numbers about its citizens. If one connects to the internet on an average smart
phone, the government knows ones location, interests, battery percentage, daily activity,
gyroscopic orientation, browsing history, and a whole host of Orwellian nightmare fuel. As we
approach 2017, we see our government expand its sphere of influence into our lives for our own
protection. Contrary to Postmans statement, Orwells warning is certainly coming into effect,
possibly more so than is Huxleys Brave New World.

Carter 2
Although the argument for 1984s modern relevance is hugely important to human rights
and personal freedoms today, todays society has become engrossed in having the world at its
fingertips. Every day, people use phones and laptops and tablets to access news, communicate
with acquaintances, enjoy games, and more to satisfy needs and wants. What society tends to
overlook is the complacency with which it accepts simple pleasures and conveniences provided
by technology. Thus, Huxleys fear of mans infinite appetite for distractions is clearly being
assisted by the rise of computer technology. Through my presence in numerous social media,
Twitter and Snapchat and Instagram and Reddit, to name a few, I have witnessed firsthand the
prevalence of fake news misleading unsuspecting consumers, no oppressive government
required. By devouring news, often embellished or exaggerated, we seek pleasure. This desire
for ease and accessibility continually brainwashes society. Human interaction, real, in-person,
face-to-face experience, is increasing difficult as we indulge ourselves with digital interaction
and stimulation. Society is failing to witness its self-inflicted transition into a captive culture,
devoid of any individual judgment. Despite warnings from Huxley and Postman, we are
witnessing a gradual transformation into the collective passivity outlined in Brave New World.
Today, there are numerous subjects we advocate for. However, we do not often consume
the most readily available source of information. While fake news is certainly a danger to
society, it is not quite as prevalent as one-sided, heavily biased news. A supporter of fossil fuels
will likely consume conservative outposts such as Breitbart and Fox News, while a staunch
believer in climate change will often elect to read solely liberal media such as ThinkProgress and
The Huffington Post. As society allows itself to indulge in biased, unchallenged news sources,
humanity becomes increasingly disengaged from a concept of individuality, self-reflection, and

Carter 3
debate. Postmans assertion, that Huxleys nightmare, Brave New World, is surely relevant more
so than 1984 today, is becoming increasingly true.
In conclusion, while both works are extremely critical to todays society, Postmans
assertion that Aldous Huxleys Brave New World is more relevant than George Orwells 1984 is
true. While nations such as North Korea and China oppress their citizens in Orwellian style, the
self-deception in modern society seems clear. Huxleys world, where society essentially
brainwashes itself, is a means by which 1984s prophecy could come to fruition. If we, as a
society, continue to self-deceive and take the easy way out on issuesbe it government
surveillance or climate change or world hungerwe will surely fail as a culture.