Huxley Vs. Orwell
This blog’s reader reflectionephemeral passes along this cartoon précis of the late Neil Postman’s “Amusing Ourselves To Death,” in which Postman advances the thesis that Aldous Huxley, not George Orwell, was right about our dystopian future. Example: What Orwell feared was those who would ban books; what Huxley feared was that there would be no reason […]
This blog’s reader reflectionephemeral passes along this cartoon précis of the late Neil Postman’s “Amusing Ourselves To Death,” in which Postman advances the thesis that Aldous Huxley, not George Orwell, was right about our dystopian future. Example:
What Orwell feared was those who would ban books; what Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who would want to read one.
We don’t live in a “Brave New World” dystopia, but it is perfectly clear that Huxley was far, far closer to the mark than Orwell. Anyway, the cartoon is a good way to introduce the comparison. “Amusing Ourselves To Death” is here; I haven’t read it in ages, but seeing this cartoon makes me think it bears re-reading.
