4 ms·

Is it though? My reading of Brave New World was that it was at least consensual. I’m after reading Seveneves and I see some parrallels between these societies.

by rusk 8y ago

Is it though? My reading of Brave New World was that it was at least consensual. I’m after reading Seveneves and I see some parrallels between these societies. In context it really doesnt seem so much sinister as a way for humanity to survive. 1984 was despotic.

rglullis 8y ago
Today you are one of the lucky 10000: https://biblioklept.org/2013/06/08/huxley-vs-orwell-the-webcomic-2/ https://biblioklept.org/2013/06/08/huxley-vs-orwell-the-webc...
- latexr 8y ago
  > Today you are one of the lucky 10000 For those who might not get the reference: https://www.xkcd.com/1053/ https://www.xkcd.com/1053/
- rusk 8y ago
  Yes indeed, but I am not actually “wrong”. Cute cartoon though!
- GoblinSlayer 8y ago
  I don't think there was much of a difference. Effectively BNW=1984+drugs, but because there are no such drugs, 1984 is the only implementable option, pseudo-BNW is unsustainable, doesn't solve their problems and so is just a detour, because they couldn't go 1984 directly due to technical problems.
  - rusk 8y ago
    I don’t belive 1984 is sustainable either. Its too rigid to withstand external events. BNW on the other hand, has tacot consent of all involved and is self reinforcing.
  - mises 8y ago
    Both are similar in premise: the proletariat is distracted and kept down by something. Think of the sort of content that is produced in 1984; in Brave New World it is simply drugs instead. It makes you wonder about the spread of video games, instantly accessible entertainment, increased drug use, etc.
  - jfk13 8y ago
    > because there are no such drugs ISTM the advertising, entertainment and social-media industries are aiming to fulfil much of the role of BNW's drugs, and the pharmaceutical companies can probably cover most of the gaps.
cjrp 8y ago
"Engineered consent" perhaps
- rusk 8y ago
  Yes engineered but under what pretext. The assumption is always that its totalitarian but this is never stated. Could just as easily be steady state.
  - pmlnr 8y ago
    BNW is set 400 A.F, so we're into ~110 years now. I believe 1/4th of the book is hard reality. Give it 300 more years. It doesn't need totalitarian gov. at all.
GoblinSlayer 8y ago
Drugged into consent :)
- rusk 8y ago
  Haha - gimme soma dat
filesystem 8y ago
It was consensual because the populace was bred and genetically altered to conform to their roles in society. I think that is an important distinction.
drb91 8y ago
Well, manufactured consent at least.

by rusk 8y ago

rglullis 8y ago

Today you are one of the lucky 10000: https://biblioklept.org/2013/06/08/huxley-vs-orwell-the-webcomic-2/ https://biblioklept.org/2013/06/08/huxley-vs-orwell-the-webc...

latexr 8y ago
> Today you are one of the lucky 10000 For those who might not get the reference: https://www.xkcd.com/1053/ https://www.xkcd.com/1053/
rusk 8y ago
Yes indeed, but I am not actually “wrong”. Cute cartoon though!
GoblinSlayer 8y ago
I don't think there was much of a difference. Effectively BNW=1984+drugs, but because there are no such drugs, 1984 is the only implementable option, pseudo-BNW is unsustainable, doesn't solve their problems and so is just a detour, because they couldn't go 1984 directly due to technical problems.
- rusk 8y ago
  I don’t belive 1984 is sustainable either. Its too rigid to withstand external events. BNW on the other hand, has tacot consent of all involved and is self reinforcing.
- mises 8y ago
  Both are similar in premise: the proletariat is distracted and kept down by something. Think of the sort of content that is produced in 1984; in Brave New World it is simply drugs instead. It makes you wonder about the spread of video games, instantly accessible entertainment, increased drug use, etc.
- jfk13 8y ago
  > because there are no such drugs ISTM the advertising, entertainment and social-media industries are aiming to fulfil much of the role of BNW's drugs, and the pharmaceutical companies can probably cover most of the gaps.

cjrp 8y ago

"Engineered consent" perhaps

rusk 8y ago
Yes engineered but under what pretext. The assumption is always that its totalitarian but this is never stated. Could just as easily be steady state.
- pmlnr 8y ago
  BNW is set 400 A.F, so we're into ~110 years now. I believe 1/4th of the book is hard reality. Give it 300 more years. It doesn't need totalitarian gov. at all.

GoblinSlayer 8y ago

Drugged into consent :)

rusk 8y ago
Haha - gimme soma dat

filesystem 8y ago

It was consensual because the populace was bred and genetically altered to conform to their roles in society. I think that is an important distinction.

drb91 8y ago

Well, manufactured consent at least.