Amusing Ourselves to Death

[What Would Durruti Do?]

Thought this was pretty cool:

http://fatpita.net/images/image%20%281952%29.jpg

[Raúl Duke]

This is pretty much true, one could say, in the "1st world" capitalist nations. But the stick (i.e. gun, threat of pain-death) is still there, just in the background only to be used when needed (i.e. Kent State shootings, DNC/RNC/WTO/G8 police actions, etc) and then dressed up by the media.

[What Would Durruti Do?]

This is pretty much true, one could say, in the "1st world" capitalist nations. But the stick (i.e. gun, threat of pain-death) is still there, just in the background only to be used when needed (i.e. Kent State shootings, DNC/RNC/WTO/G8 police actions, etc) and then dressed up by the media.

Yep, obviously Orwell's vision has a lot of truth to it as well it just appears that in modern western society Huxley's vision does seem to be more accurate. Orwell based his predictions off of big government fascism and totalitarianism that was more prevalent in his day while Huxley had more influence from American capitalism and consumer culture so I disagree with the idea that Huxley was right and Orwell wasn't as they are both definitely relevant.

[New Tet]

Both Orwell and Huxley are right. The biggest problem I find with both of them is that they leave unanswered Winston Smith's question:

I understand 'how: I do not understand 'why'.

[Manifesto]

I think that Huxley was closer for the general population.

[Manifesto]

Both Orwell and Huxley are right. The biggest problem I find with both of them is that they leave unanswered Winston Smith's question:

I understand 'how: I do not understand 'why'.
The why seems pretty obvious. So that the government can stay in power and the people will do nothing about it because they are afraid or unknowing.