Are We Moving Into a Brave New World as Described in Aldous Huxleys Brave New World? (Term Paper Sample)

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Are we moving into a brave new world as described in Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World”?
With his novel “Brave New World”, Aldous Huxley outlined his vision about the future of humanity. Although in the early stages of its release the book was considered as an attempt to idealize the future and envision a utopia, it was very quickly crystalized that the book was in fact a warning about the darker aspects and dangers that were implied or promised by the advancements in technology (Kass 51). Today, about eighty years after the book was first published, “A Brave New World” has come to be more relevant than ever. Indeed, considering the many parallels that can be drawn between modern society and the one that is described by Huxley, we can say we have come dangerously close to his morbid vision of the future (Barr 849). Considering that modern mankind is already well underway in performing many of the things that were described by Huxley such as mastery over biological processes, using psychotropic substances to control human behavior and fight negative feelings and emotions, and using technologies to keep human beings in a constant state of entertainment, happiness and sexual liberation, it is the thesis of this paper that we are already well on our way into this “Brave New World”.
The main argument that we can make regarding the fact that we are moving towards Huxley’s world is that in recent decades humans have gained significant mastery over the human body and biological processes in general (Ball 339). In his book, Huxley describes the future as a place where people are cloned and born in special incubators. We can draw a parallel with existing efforts in science, where there have already been successful attempts at cloning animals. In addition, scientists have mastered the ability to allow women to be artificially fertilized, therefore giving them second chances at having children. In some of Huxley’s correspondence letters with other writers, he responded to the inquiries of H.G. Wells that in this envisioned future society, people would handle unwanted children by first introducing loose rights and freedoms to perform abortion, and then outright legalizing it (Coren 1995). This has been the precise case in many western countries. The fact that new breakthroughs in science, especially biology, are reported very regularly, is a strong indication that Huxley’s future is arriving.
Another important element in the book is the use of psychotropic drugs that regulate people in various ways. Namely, in Huxley’s society everyone is swallowing pills called “soma” that are readily available everywhere (Spiering & Van Houtum 899). Although it is not clearly indicated in the book, the pills are an obvious reference to such drugs and medications as anti-depressants. A great deal of people in modern societies today are heavily using various prescription drugs which have various purposes, such as making people happier, less nervous, and more confident. Just as the pills are abundant and encouraged everywhere in Huxley’s world, so have today’s prescription drugs become such an accepted norm that they are easily prescribed to people that may not even truly need them (Miller 2011). Many people find it normal to take doctors-approved drugs which can in extreme cases completely change the personalities and behaviors of people. Of course, there are people who actually need and benefit from these kinds of medicines, but there is also no doubt that the usage and popularity of such drugs is becoming more frequent and widespread than it probably should.
Another important aspect about Huxley’s society is that it is very hedonistic. In other words, the described society places huge importance and value on comfort and pleasure (Ball 338). People are figuratively shoved into enjoyable experiences that are facilitated by the advanced technologies. In addition, Huxley’s society is very liberated in terms of sexuality, and most people are in open polyamorous relationships. Again, we can distinguish some important parallels with today’s society. The 1960’s were considered the era of the sexual revolution, and we have indeed seen significant evolutions and acceptances regarding many sexual practices and orientations. In addition, the emergence of the video game industry and the development of mobile and internet technologies has completely revolutionized how we consume entertainment. Huxley attempted to warn his readers that technologies could easily seduce people into a reality that, although attractive and enjoyable, was perilous to the human spirit in the long run (Miller 2011). A common complaint that we can hear today is that people spend too much time on their electronic devices, preferring to socialize with other people over virtual networks and realities rather than in real life.