Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World

What happens when society’s greatest love becomes the ultimate threat? A few years ago Neil Postman wrote a preface about the media’s effects in which he suggests that Aldous Huxley’s predictions in Brave New World come to pass. Postman reiterated Huxley’s points saying that our society might eventually turn into a version of Brave New World. Some may argue that Postman’s theory is incorrect but with further consideration it is more likely to be true. In Aldous Huxley’s book, Brave New World features Bernard Marx who questions the aspects of the society that he lives in. His society is controlled through happiness; he attempts to change the culture but despite his efforts to rebel he fails. Thus, reinforcing Huxley’s foresight. Postman and Huxley reveal three striking parallels to today’s society. To begin with, pleasure is viewed more important than relationships. Moreover, drugs cloud one’s reality and ultimately cause one to become a slave to drugs. Lastly, relying on technology causes one to sacrifice independence, which gives governments more control. Huxley fears that the things civilization loves will ruin civilization; his fear may soon become reality.

Firstly, indulging in lustful activities is one of the greatest weaknesses of humanity. In Huxley’s Brave New World, pleasure is used to control society. The leader, Mustapha Mond, knows by providing ultimate pleasure he can control the general populace. Subsequently, Mond has the society revolved around pleasure. He creates a saying, “everybody belongs to everyone else”, this proverb creates equality so everyone one will be pleasured. He has children exposed to sexual pleasure at a very young age, women are portrayed as objects, and he obliterated the family. The rule of ...

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...pondences to the current society of today. Primarily, relationships are obsolete because pleasure is considered more important. Furthermore, drugs distort reality ultimately causing one to be imprisoned to narcotics. Lastly, as technology advances, governments acquire more control over society. Postman and Huxley are right to fear that what humanity loves will ruin civilization; “For the love of [power] is the root of all evil.” 1 Timothy 6:10.

Works Cited

Huxley, Aldous . Brave New World. Great Britain: Vintage Canada, 1932. Print.

The Holy Bible ESV: English Standard Version : containing the Old and New Testaments.. 2001. Reprint. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Bibles, 2007. Print.

Not, Available. "Alcohol Statistics." Drug Rehab Alcohol Drug Rehabilitation Addiction Treatment Programs. N.p., 3 June 2012. .