1984 superiority

Two of the most terrifying novels or prophesies of the world could come to are still 1984 and Brave New World. Although these were both written many years ago, they are both very relevant in today’s society. In Brave New World, Huxley believes that the sensual pleasures people lead their lives in will eventually take control of everything, where as Orwell says in 1984 that a governmental power will eventually fear this world into submission. Even though the year of 1984 has past, as Postman says, “We, at least, had not been visited by Orwellian nightmares.” However, this just because the year has come and gone does not mean that the reality of 1984 will never come true. Since a time line has actually been placed to one of these novels, the general public seems to believe that only one holds an impending doom over society, where as it is clear we are closer to the 1984 society than Brave New World’s civilization.

First, if one takes into perspective the idea of doublespeak, it seems that we already have seen this ability to speak around what we are trying to say in order to lull the public into a false sense of security. If one listens to a political speech, no matter the affiliation, it is clear that there are certain words used in order to bamboozle the general population into believing one idea rather than another. Words are powerful, and one in power, such as a high political office, can use this to their power, just like in 1984. When dealing with an illiterate, incompetent population, history will tell you that it is easy to be an absolute ruler, but when you educate the masses, the task to have complete control becomes more difficult. This seems to have lead to more and more elitists throughout the world, needed to make them sound more intelligent in order to fool the masses of now educated peoples. “What Orwell feared were those who would ban books.” (Postman) This is clearly an example of our society because in order to create an absolute power in one place, education and the ability to acquire knowledge would have to be cut off completely. Simply believe that “…There would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.” would not make any sense since most of humanity is educated.

Another point that Orwell had correct was the idea of complete government control without our knowledge. Although my knowledge of government secret procedure is not very lengthy, I am aware that some of the technology they have has enabled they to listen to and track nearly everything one says or types. This type of control with “Big Brother watching” clearly shows that there are many secrets in governments the general public does not know about. “Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information.” Evidently, this has happened is we are all not given every piece of information that could affect things such as our civil liberties.

Huxley did make some relevant points in his idea of the future regarding the expansion of science and the love of pleasure that the public feels. However, Orwell’s somewhat paranoid idea of the control that the government can have, without society even knowing this control is happening, has taken precedence in the world we live in today where power is what nearly all strive for, in their own unique ways.