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It's fascinating that you see it as a caricature of the left, given that Huxley was a left-leaning pacifist who even today would be far to the left of at least
by xiaoma 10y ago
It's fascinating that you see it as a caricature of the left, given that Huxley was a left-leaning pacifist who even today would be far to the left of at least the last 4 Democratic presidential candidates on quite a few issues.
Sadly, the entire western world is just a lot more authoritarian than it was during Huxley and Orwell's time.
- pmoriarty 10y agoThere's nothing about sympathizing with or even being on the left that prevents criticism of the left. The left is infamous for the amount of internal bickering, denunciations, and recriminations that go on. That said, Huxley's critique of the left (if it can even be called that) didn't seem like one based on any left-wing principles or ideas. I really don't know where he was coming from on that. It really felt like it could have been written by some cheap right-wing tabloid. Maybe that's why it was so popular.
- xiaoma 10y agoThis is sadder still. You're saying you feel pacifism and anti-war sentiments are no longer a part of the left? Huxley was critiquing Hitler and especially Stalin. Is that your idea of "the left"?
- pmoriarty 10y agoNo. Not in the least. I wish I had I had a copy in front of me, so I could give you specific examples. It's been a long time since I read it.