Orwell's and Huxley's Visions of the Future

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In contrast to Orwell’s dystopia dominated by a totalitarian government in 1984, Huxley’s interpretation of the future consisted of a corrupted world in which comfort and techonology has overpowered what was once considered important and admirable. Both internal and external conflicts have been masked in Huxley’s society, where human beings are blinded by the pleasures that are presented to them. As asserted in the passage by social critic Neil Postman, Huxley’s vision of the future can be analyzed as far more relevant than that of Orwell’s to today’s materialistic world; pleasure has become the foundation and a contorted necessity of society.

Huxley’s projection of the future shows a society which views life merely as an enjoyable experience, where people have been deprived of their autonomy and intellect. Education and truth have been obliterated by the unsurpassable wave of pleasure and is no longer held as a significant importance as it had in the past. In the novel, technology is related with every aspect of their community in one way or another, and it is the ultimate source of their stability and happiness. Similarly, intelligence and knowlege are being less appreciated and acknowledged by the contemporary community. Beauty and convenience has become the main focal point, and meaningless products have become the best sellers around the world. With the continuous advancement of technology, people are less reliant upon their own intelligence and energy, and are frequently centering their concentration on inventions such as videogames, television, cellphones, and so on. Technology has begun to have a firm hold on both young and old, and people’s capacities of thought are continuously degenerating. While the amount of impact a...

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...ual content can be seen and heard all around the media, such as television shows and music lyrics, where children could easily access them. What was once considered unjust and offensive, is now looked upon as normal and inspiring. If the society continues to go in this direction, it will lead to the lack of emotions, the elimination of true relationships, and the corruption of the nation.

While modern society has many benefits and conveniences, we must realize how easily it can become distorted and out of control. Through the continuous advancement of technology comes the risk of losing part of our capacities to think. The main objective of life should not be to just gain pleasure, however, but we should focus on other aspects of life as well. Now is the time where it is crucial to take notice and heed Huxley’s warning; for it may be what we love that will ruin us.

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