William Ramsey Investigates Orwell & Huxley, Part 1 on Vyzygoth's Clubhouse. From the Vyzygoth Archives.
Nov 28, 2025
John Bonanno, a Huxley enthusiast and commentator, contrasts totalitarianism with Gordon Comstock, who advocates for Orwell's vision. They debate which author more accurately predicted today’s societal challenges, focusing on themes like geopolitics and the role of media. Bonanno warns of rulers using violence and drugs for control, while Comstock highlights the risks of a pleasure-driven populace. They also explore how both philosophies appear in modern life and discuss the potential for societal collapse, linking past ideas to today's elite strategies.
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Two Valid Dystopian Visions
- William Ramsey frames the debate: Huxley foresees pleasure-driven control; Orwell foresees surveillance and eradication of freedom.
- The panel agrees both visions can apply depending on place and context.
Counting Prophetic Matches
- Gordon Comstock counted 33 parallels in 1984 and 19 in Brave New World to modern realities.
- He uses 9/11 interpretation as a litmus test to prefer Orwell or Huxley.
Geopolitics Versus Pharmacology
- Gordon argues Orwell better predicted geopolitics: three power blocs echo 1984's structure.
- Huxley better predicted scientific and pharmaceutical social control.