Episode 110: Brave New World vs. 1984 (round table discussion)

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy. The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom. The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State. The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom.

In this book, Christopher Hitchens addresses a hypothetical young reader, offering advice on how to cultivate a contrarian mindset. He draws on historical examples of dissenters like Émile Zola, Rosa Parks, and George Orwell to illustrate the importance of questioning authority and challenging consensus. The book covers a range of topics including politics, economics, and religion, and encourages readers to seek out argument and disputation as a means of intellectual growth. Hitchens also critiques various forms of dogma and advocates for a life of critical thinking and moral courage.

Written in 1958, 'Brave New World Revisited' is a collection of essays where Aldous Huxley examines the validity of his earlier novel's predictions about a dystopian future. Huxley discusses various social problems, including overpopulation, over-organization by 'Big Business' and 'Big Government', and the dangers of mass media and propaganda. He argues that the world is moving faster towards the dystopia he described in 'Brave New World', characterized by non-violent totalitarianism and the manipulation of people through subconscious persuasion and chemical control. The book concludes with a call for reeducation in individual liberty and democracy to prevent the erosion of personal freedom.