The 1984/Brave New World Stand-off

While both Huxley and Orwell offered their own predictions of the quality of life in the future, Orwell’s prediction is more reflective of recent events. While Orwell’s prophecy has not happened in the United States to the extent that he forewarns, it has managed to manifest itself in many aspects of society, as well in the society of neighboring countries. While Postman would argue this, the evidence pointing towards the coming-true of Orwell’s prediction is overwhelming.

Although Brave New World does hold some relevance in the world of today, the similarities of cloning, gene engineering, and general openness are not enough to outweigh the similarities found in Orwell’s 1984. Postman claims, “We were keeping our eye on 1984. When the year came and the prophecy didn’t, thoughtful Americans sang softly in praise of themselves. The roots of liberal democracy had held.” While it seemed at the time that America’s roots had held strong while the roots of other countries began to rot away, the disease soon reached the US.

The United States is run by a democracy, one that was designed to put the power in the hands of the people and to ward off corruption. Yet some Orwellian prophecies managed to sneak through. As Postman points out, “Orwell feared those who would deprive us information” and he “feared that the truth would be concealed from us”. As Americans, we would like to think that our government does not keep any secrets from us, or that our information in free from censorship, but it is not. Everyday the information fed to us is tediously picked out of a mass of events, and the only ones to reach our ears are the ones that are chosen, or the ones that leak out. This can be most clearly seen in history text books, where the bias is laid thick, and the history white outs are numerous. If you are not familiar with history text books, then what about the happenings at area 51? Only those few permitted to work there actually know what goes on. Classified as ‘top secret’ the American public is left in the dark for their so called ‘own protection’. But what is scarier than not knowing what goes on in your own country?

Other countries have fared out far worse than our own. Take, for example, the country of North Korea. The people of this country have become victims to Orwell’s prediction. “Overcome by an externally imposed oppression” (Postman) they have become subjects to extreme isolationism, deprivation of information, and control by fear by their dictator Kim Jong-il. People of North Korea are not allowed to communicate with people outside of their country, much like how in 1984 workers from different areas were not allowed to talk to each other. The lack of communication only makes the dictating force stronger, and the people weaker. In the Middle East, it is common for the governmental system to use torture as a way to control its citizens. Not to long ago, Saddam Hussein ruled by brute force, torture, and his secret ‘night men’. Using pain and death as a control, Hussein was able to bend the people to his will and convince his people that anyone different is bad, or dangerous. This sort of control has also been seen in China (Hu Jintao), Cuba (Fidel Castro), Africa (Mobutu Sese Seko and child armies), Germany and Poland(WWII and Hitler). Even the United States has used torture as a device to control and to break the will of its captives.

Unlike Brave New World people today are not warned against having time by themselves, in some aspects people are encouraged to have time to relax. Yet even when we think we are alone and un-attended we are mistaken. Cameras and security have become like second nature to us. We are constantly being monitored, whether it be walking in school, shopping in the mall, boarding a plane, or even in some places, entering the bathroom. Privacy is something of the past. Much like the telescreens in 1984 the Wii, was well as computers with cameras allow people to view each other from different rooms, houses, or countries. The tapping of phone lines has also become common place, as the government attempts to keep its citizens safe, even while abusing their rights to privacy and free speech.

“Orwell feared that hate will ruin us” (Postman), hate both from the internal and external aspects of society. The disease of hatred, power, control, and dominance, lack of privacy, and ignorance of rights has already plagued this world. We are not a ruled by “the feelies, the orgy porgy, and the centrifugal bumblepuppy” (Postman), but by oppression, fear, and our need to feel a part of something, no matter how horrible that something is. Orwell’s foreshadowing of civilization ruled by technology, fear, hatred, and secrets has finally come true.