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Essay / The Complete Review of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
In the science fiction novel Brave New World, Aldous Huxley shows a “revolution of revolutions” resulting from technological advancements. He does this by describing a future BNW corporation that is supposed to be perfect in every way. Everyone is happy. Everything exists in perfect order. Huxley, however, takes pains to warn the reader of problems that might develop in the future, such as promiscuity, lack of privacy, and so on. This future is indeed a “revolution of revolutions” as societal norms undergo a radical change to become completely innovative, but sometimes corrupted, forms. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay This revolution is the direct result of a “Nine Years' War”: a war so devastating that it almost extinguishes life on earth. Towards the end of this period, humanity as a whole becomes tired of war and destruction and therefore decides to seek answers through other means. The answer lies in advanced technology. Crediting its new founding to industrial entrepreneur Henry Ford, BNW began to take shape. Its motto becomes “community, identity, stability”, and anything that promotes social disorder is quickly eliminated. This element excludes individuality and will later incite conflict. Everyone thinks the same, acts the same, and generally lives the same way in their respective classes. This is made possible through developmental conditioning. From the moment of conception, a human being is subject to technological conditioning which continues throughout his life. All their thoughts and actions are conditioned according to an established pattern. Two techniques for instituting this are those of Pavlov and Skinner. The BNW company takes advantage of their discoveries to modify the behavior of all people through various stimuli, response systems, rewards and punishments. One example is electroshock treatment of babies, which trains them to hate and avoid flowers. As adults, they will then avoid nature and therefore contact with people from the lower classes. Another ongoing process is the use of Sigmund Freud's hypnopedic method. This “sleep teaching” conditions people to think a certain way for the rest of their lives. They are brainwashed. The most important tool to achieve this revolution is genetic engineering. During embryonic development, individuals are “made with distinct characteristics to maintain the stability of society.” Essentially, a person's social class and intellectual ability are predetermined at birth. Their likes and dislikes are already programmed. Individual thought and freedom are therefore non-existent. The main goal is compliance and stability. Everyone gets what they want, which is also scheduled, and everyone is happy. If the opposite ever happens, “there is always soma”. This drug addiction is the ultimate source of instant gratification and evokes a “quick fix mentality.” It satisfies the senses, provides happiness and therefore promotes stability. John the Savage, however, hates every aspect of this revolution. Having been raised on the Reserve, he is not brainwashed by BNW conditioning. On the contrary, he has individuality, free choice and imagination. He recognizes these precious gifts of life and is surprised when he encounters civilization. John also realizes that “if you are different, you are necessarily alone”. That's how he feels after a while in the city. He can't stand the lack of relationships.