Introduction
People are ready to accept the most absurd ideas in their attempts to find effective ways to improve living conditions. Instead of relying on real facts, achievements, and knowledge, it seems easier to develop idealistic approaches. Aldous Huxley created his novel Brave New World in the first half of the 20th century when people were obsessed with desk phones, jet engines, and color cartoons.
Discussion
At that moment, his ideas were irrational and dangerous for society because it was hard to imagine how genetic modification, cloning, infertility, and artificial intelligence could affect human life. On the contrary, the current state of technology significantly contributes to the dystopia introduced by Huxley. Today, the use of drugs to control feelings and emotions is a common medical practice. The first cloning and genetic engineering attempts were successfully made several decades ago. Thus, Huxley’s world might become a matter of time for people involved in fast-growing technological advancement. Removing unnecessary extremes, the imagined dystopia is dangerous and real for modern people due to the unpredictable nature of human addiction to technology, the same way people have already gotten used to medications and media.
Despite their common beliefs of being unique and freedom-loving, people are interested in being united under characteristics. People appreciate similarity and reject diversity because of various personal or organizational factors. Boys like to play with boys, and girls prefer to talk to girls – all these are common canons that define human lifestyles and predetermine change resistance. According to Millar, “You, me, all of us – are the kind of robots who program ourselves through the patterns of our own behavior, patterns that are increasingly within our knowledge and ability to change” (3). It is not always easy to accept change, follow an unusual idea, or cooperate with unknown people. Quitting something usually is almost impossible, and Cohen shows the similarities between drug, technical, and social dependence because when a person is “hooked on a substance… to keep from feeling bad,” it is “incredibly hard” to quit it (64). Thus, Huxley’s idea to create a world where all people are interrelated becomes an interesting solution to facilitate life, remove diversity, and create equality. Cloning, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence contribute to the promotion of similarities in society based on technological awareness.
Today, most people define technological progress as the only way to facilitate their lives, be in trend, and achieve the desired goals, which cultivates the appropriateness of technological addiction regardless of its negative impacts. For a long period, it was a real challenge to contact each other distantly and solve the problem of geographical location. Many organizations have learned the benefits of distance collaboration and the possibility of saving resources and time. Zubaidillah and Daniaty admit that the “development of technology changed the civilization of human beings and their ways of thinking” (1). Cohen shares an interesting observation that “when you become so preoccupied with a substance or behavior that you’ve lost control over it – and you keep pursuing it despite its negative consequences” (64). Genetic engineering and modifications are necessary due to such benefits as fast drug development, improved diagnoses and treatment plans, and effective and time-saving decision-making. Technology creates a solid background for humans to implement their knowledge and prove the worth of their education and abilities. In other words, Huxley’s dystopia is an evident example of what can be achieved and why such steps should be taken.
Technological success leads to exchanging unlimited access to information, which enhances unconscious decision-making, diminishes the importance of critical thinking and personal participation in events, and makes people interdependent within a particular system. Addressing the same comparison of substance and technological dependence, it is possible to understand better why people are unconsciously in need of new technological discoveries. According to Cohen, “the brain is rewired, so you need more of the drug, drink or behavior to get a buzz” (64). The same happens to the brain when dopamine levels are raised due to technological impact. People cannot stop using technology, and, one day, they cannot imagine a day without some devices to feel happy and satisfied. Millar also proves that even if “these behaviors may not yet be considered addictions in the strictest definitions of the term, they may well function the same way” (4). Thus, technological success in such fields as engineering, cloning, infertility, and life expectancy turns out to be another form of the drug on which most people remain dependent. It means that the current state of technology makes Huxley’s dystopia more than real today.
At the same time, the novel and recent studies reveal the failures of collectivism because it is impossible to neglect some basic biological needs, the already achieved social progress, and the power of feelings. In their discussion, Zubaidillah and Daniaty underline that while one group might be happy with the progress, someone still feels “beneath the side” (1). As soon as people learn the pros of a new idea, they have a tendency to consider all existing cons and challenges. The novel’s dystopia is not perfect because of the presence of characters who want to break the system and see how others accept changes. In addition, no one should forget that a “human is a rational creature that has free will” (Zubaidillah and Daniaty 11). It is impossible to ensure everyone has the same talent, abilities, and skills, and there should always be a chance for self-improvement and self-determination (Zubaidillah and Daniaty 11). Considering such simple truths and basic needs, a technologically advanced dystopia is irrational and contradictory to human nature. There is no way a person creates something that damages their free will, choices, and independence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the story developed by Huxley at the beginning of the 20th century continues to bother modern people and makes them question the worth of technological progress. On the one hand, genetic modification, infertility, cloning, and life extension are all strong examples of how technology penetrates and improves human life. People need technological innovations to understand that all their attempts and skills have a meaning. On the other hand, creating something that might gain control of its creator in the future is irrational and dangerous. Thus, the offered dystopia is a solid reminder for crazy scientists, engineers, and researchers about the threats of uncontrolled talents and dependence on progress. As well as substance addiction, technological addiction has its explanations: to reduce pain, feel happy, forget about challenges, and enjoy life. However, together with mercantile benefits, technology is characterized by serious outcomes that put people at serious risk. The dangers imagined in Huxley’s novel are real, and people should not gain control over their revolutionary ideas because the current state of technology contributes to dystopia and the inability to change something without losses.
Works Cited
Cohen, Marisa. “The Science of Addiction.” Good Housekeeping, vol. 268, no. 4, 2019, pp. 64-68. EBSCOhost.
Millar, Aaron. “Robots In Disguise: The Psychology of Addiction.” Odyssey, vol. 20, no. 7, 2011, pp. 1-9. EBSCOhost.
Zubaidillah, Muh Haris, and Desti Daniaty. “Social and Political Ideas of Aldous Huxley Through Bernard Marx’s Character in Brave New World.” OSF, 2019, pp. 1-14. EBSCOhost.