Saturday, July 21, 2018

What is the relevance of Brave New World today?

Huxley's Brave New World remains relevant in today's society because this fictional civilization, in many ways, parallels America's affinity for sex, science, and pharmaceuticals. In Huxley's future society, promiscuity is considered healthy, while monogamous relationships are taboo. Since having a child is considered a dirty affair, birth control is prevalent, and women immediately have abortions when they learn they are pregnant. In today's society, casual sex is increasingly accepted, and women also have access to birth control. Huxley also satirically examines the increasing dependence and reverence for science. In Brave New World, Henry Ford is revered as a deity in the society that values efficiency, production, and consumerism. Babies are also mass produced in an elaborate cloning process, and technology is applied to nearly every facet of life. The increasing reliance on technology in today's society and devotion to science resembles Huxley's fictional society. Huxley also explores the prevalence of pharmaceuticals, particularly emotional stabilizing medications, which is currently an issue in today's society. In the fictional society, citizens take a drug called soma, which relieves negative emotions. Soma resembles many different benzodiazepines, which are used to treat anxiety, panic disorder, seizures, or sleep disorders. The brilliance of Huxley's work is evident in his ability to accurately predict many of society's current trends. 

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