George Orwell (author of 1984)

VS.

Aldous Huxley (author of Brave New World

• “What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”

• “Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drown in a sea of irrelevance.”

• Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture.

• “In 1984 people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure.”

• In short, Orwell feared that what we fear will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we desire will ruin us.”

Notable New Words from 1984

• Bellyfeel: A blind, enthusiastic acceptance of an idea.
• Blackwhite: The ability to accept contradictory beliefs, especially under Party pressure.
• Crimethink: Refers to thoughtcrime, or unorthodox thoughts against the Party.
• Crimestop: Means to rid oneself of unwanted thoughts, i.e., thoughts that interfere with the ideology of the Party.
• Doublethink: The act of simultaneously accepting as correct two mutually contradictory beliefs.
• Doubleplusgood: An exaggerated term meaning very good.
• Duckspeak: Speaking without thinking, which can be either good or bad depending on the context.
• Facecrime: An indication that a person is guilty of thoughtcrime based on their facial expression.