

Episode 110: Brave New World vs. 1984 (round table discussion)
Jun 24, 2025
Join Vaden Masrani, a savvy commentator, David Wainwright, a literature-loving teacher, and physicist Sam Kuypers as they delve into the contrasting worlds of Orwell's '1984' and Huxley's 'Brave New World'. They explore the implications of happiness versus freedom and the psychological insights from each dystopia. The trio sheds light on the dangers of conformity, the relevance of these novels today, and how suffering can bring meaningful joy. Discover how pop culture plays a role in shaping our understanding of these themes and the political landscape.
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Contrasting 1984 and Brave New World
- 1984 depicts control through fear and pain, while Brave New World uses genetic engineering and distractions to pacify.
- Orwell's work is rooted in socialist and Stalinist critiques, whereas Huxley critiques a society distracted by convenience and comfort.
Clear Target Makes 1984 Stronger
- Orwell's 1984 has a clear target: totalitarianism, making it artistically superior and more relevant today.
- Brave New World feels vaguer with a focus on convenience and pseudo-eugenics, complicating its critique of society.
Meaning Requires Risk and Suffering
- Brave New World offers the right to be unhappy and choose suffering as expression of freedom.
- Meaning involves risk and vulnerability; comfort without challenge lacks depth and relationship meaning is lost.