Is the world today more like George Orwell's "1984", or Aldous Huxley's, "Brave New W

[grandmama]

I read Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death" a couple of weeks ago, and the book has opened my eyes. I know all of you would enjoy the book. I've attached a link that is a clip explaining the premise of Postman's book. I hope you all will check it out. It's only 150-170 pages, and is well written. Postman did not use computers or type writers to write his books. He thought that if one wrote a book via hand, that they would choose their words more carefully; hence the length.

Enjoy friends:
YouTube - Neil Postman - [Foreword to] Amusing Ourselves to Death

[grandmama]

A lot of the book talks about the differences between Huxley and Orwell's prophecies.

[grandmama]

Postman: “What Orwell feared were 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 wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture, preoccupied with some equivalent of the feelies, the orgy porgy, and the centrifugal bumblepuppy. As Huxley remarked in Brave New World Revisited, the civil libertarians and rationalists who are ever on the alert to oppose tyranny ‘failed to take into account man’s almost infinite appetite for distractions.’ In 1984, Huxley added, people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure. In short, Orwell feared that what we hate will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we love will ruin us.”

[flarendep1]

Sounds interesting GM,

Not to get too religious but one might also conclude that these saturations of pleasure are the work of the devil. I think the bible mentions that prior to judgment day the devil will have his way for a period. Maybe that time is now, who knows.

[flarendep1]

GM,

I saw the movie, "The Book of Eli" with Denzel Washington. Check it out and see what you think.

[grandmama]

Sounds interesting GM,

Not to get too religious but one might also conclude that these saturations of pleasure are the work of the devil. I think the bible mentions that prior to judgment day the devil will have his way for a period. Maybe that time is now, who knows.

Flare, it's funny you mention religion. There is a chapter in the book that talks about the effects the techno world we live in has had in regards to religion. I know this book is right up your alley. The chapter is called: Shuffle off to Bethlehem.

[grandmama]

GM,

I saw the movie, "The Book of Eli" with Denzel Washington. Check it out and see what you think.

I will my friend.

[flarendep1]

Flare, it's funny you mention religion. There is a chapter in the book that talks about the effects the techno world we live in has had in regards to religion. I know this book is right up your alley. The chapter is called: Shuffle off to Bethlehem.

Cool, I am not a freak about religion but keep an open mind and believe there has to be a higher force than us.

[grandmama]

Cool, I am not a freak about religion but keep an open mind and believe there has to be a higher force than us.

i agree with you on that notion.