1984 and Brave New World

Brave New World and 1984

As I read Brave New World and 1984, I noticed how some of Aldous Huxley and

George Orwell’s 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 Bokanovsky’s 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