Huxley made various predictions regarding the world in his book, Brave New World. An interesting prediction proposed by the book includes the influence of the media. As per the Huxley’s prediction, media assume a central position in influencing people’s way of life in the modern society. Besides the important role of media, few people take time to look well into the matter (Paul 7). For example, some of the information received from televisions and other media is often based on personal opinions. This means that such information might be biased; however, few people seek to understand whether the information is based on facts or opinions. Huxley’s work may be viewed as a strategic guide for predicting the future. The paper discusses some predictions made in the book while analyzing their viability.
In the book, the State bases most of its endeavors in trying to make people happy. The State does not take time to establish people’s concerns to address them accordingly. The State’s perception is that the happiness of the people will translate to a happy society. Officials insist that people are supposed to “like their inescapable social destiny” (Huxley 36). In the modern day, politicians are focusing on making the masses happy to warrant their actions. In consequence, most politicians invest in programs, which they hope will make the society happier. However, this acts as a blindfold to the social injustices that the same politicians perform.
In Brave New World, citizens are kept in a “cool state” using a drug called soma. It makes the user feel relaxed by making driving them away from reality. The drug prevents a person from wanting to seek the truth about them. In essence, the politicians have designed the idea of the “cool state” to fool the masses. The drug inhibits spite and anger to create a peaceful society and generation. The society in the modern world also uses antidepressants in a similar way. Whenever a person wants to calm their nerves, they take pills that make them relaxed. Essentially, modern politician use “drugs” or scheming arguments to drive the society from visualizing the reality by developing a false feeling of being cool. This is similar to the case in the Brave New World where soma is used to inhibit “malice and bad tempers” (Huxley11).
The society in Brave New World expresses joy for the deaths of the older generation. The society in the book’s world considers individuals who are above 60 as not economically viable. These members are considered less productive at the work places; thus, a liability to the young generation. In today’s society, are often sent to die a painless death. The environment is thought to provide a peaceful resting place where people can die. In the modern world, individuals can request for a peaceful death for themselves especially those suffering from terminal illnesses (Huxley11). Patients in hospitals can claim their right to die which is similar to the situation expressed in the book. Some strategists suggest that voluntary euthanasia should be legalized to reduce the suffering that characterizes old age. This suggestion is similar to practice in the Brave New World.
In the book, members of the society are discouraged from having many children. The society is advised to use contraceptives and give birth to few children. The authorities argue that this strategy is essential in ensuring that the human population is maintained at less than two billion. Leaders claim that there are scarce resources in the world, and it is disastrous to have the human population rise above two billion (Huxley11). In the modern society, some governments have issued the acceptable number of children that each family should have. Families that give birth to more children than the set number have their children taken away from them. This happens to balance the human population with the world’s scarce resources.
Huxley also predicts that family is likely to lose its relevance as an important unit in the society. The family unit is not viewed in good light as it is termed to be demanding. In this case, promiscuity is encouraged because not much time is required in building a relationship in such instances. The leaders mock the family as an institution where life is restricted (Paul 15). In coherent with the Huxley’s prediction, the idea of family as an institution and family-hood is becoming insignificant in the modern world. Claims identify family as an institution where women and children are abused; thus, discouraging young women from raising families. Statistics show that the number of people who prefer living alone rather than living as a family has increased. Single mothers prefer raising their children alone in fear of being abused in families.
In conclusion, the book Brave New World gives a prediction of a society, which in 1932 would seem fictions, but a true depiction of the modern world. The media today acts as the main source of information and people believe it without consulting further. The family institution is losing its relevance in today’s world. In this context, it is apparent the predictions made at that early time are true for the modern society.
Works Cited
Huxley, Aldous. Brave new world. New York: Harper & Bros., 1946. Print.
Paul, Warren. Huxley's Brave New World. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1999. Print.
