Brave New World and 1984
As I read Brave New World and 1984, I noticed how some of Aldous Huxley and
George Orwells prophecies are becoming true. As science and technology progresses,
we have the opportunity to alter few aspects of our lives, even though our freedom and
privacy may be in jeopardy.In Brave New World, science allows babies to be artificially produced in a
laboratory.
Nowadays, parents who cannot conceive children are also able to artificially
produce their children with the help of science and the genes of both parents. As science
advances, the parents may even be able to reform the genes of their baby in order to have
that perfect child. In addition, through the Bokanovskys Process, ninety-six identical
twins can be produced with one bokansovskified egg. Recently, cloning has allowed us to
produce identical mammals. If cloning is possible, it will not be surprising when we
produce ninety-six identical twins with one egg, like in Brave New World, in the future.The Brave New Worlders take soma whenever they feel troublesome, depressed
or angry.
The soma makes them feel pleasant and comfortable. Nowadays when one is
having a bad day or does not feel good, he may result to something much like soma such
as alcohol or drugs to produce that same pleasant feeling.The government of the World State conditions its citizens at a very young age.
The people are controlled by repeated phrases in their sleep. Even though it is not as
extreme as in the Brave New World, I feel that we are also being conditioned.
It is more
obvious now. When we watch commercials on television, we are conditioned to buy the
products and believe that by buying that particular brand of clothing we will look better
and be well liked. The ads are harmless as long as we do not sacrifice the important idea
that we genuinely want the product and that we are still making the decision to buy it.A similarity between Oceania, in 1984, and our country today is that the caste
system still exists. Most of the power belongs to the rich, or the Inner Party. The middle
class, or the Outer Party, are trying to become part of the higher class.
While the poor, or
the Proles, are working hard in order to make ends meet and just want to be left alone.
Like Orwell, I feel that the caste system will always exist.Also, the citizens of Oceania are constantly being monitored by the government.
We are also being monitored.
There are cameras everywhere, even though most of the
time we are not aware of it. When we go to the store, the surveillance cameras are there
to make sure we do not steal anything. When we go to the bank, cameras are watching us
make our transactions. In some cities, cameras may also be watching us as we cross the
street or get into our car. What is next? Cameras in our homes?
It is surprising how alike our world is today compared to the World State and
Oceania.
I feel that the future is promising if the advancement of science is used only to
help mankind. And, as long as we still have the freedom to be able to say that 2+2=4.Words
/ Pages : 544 / 24
