Month: April 2023

The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley both examine the idea of a “permanent lie” that is spread by those in authority. Huxley’s dystopian society in Brave New World is based on the idea that citizens should be trained to accept their preset social rank, with the state in charge of every aspect of their lives. Contrarily, Solzhenitsyn explores the function of propaganda in Soviet Russia, where the state purposefully spread untruths to deceive and subjugate the general population. Both authors emphasize the perils of a society based on deception, and their writings are still relevant today. In Brave New World, the citizens are conditioned to believe that their way of life is ideal, and they are taught to worship their leaders as if they were gods. The novel’s protagonist, Bernard Marx, begins to question this reality when he encounters a group of “Savage” individuals who live outside the confines of the state. One of the most poignant passages in the novel describes Bernard’s realization that the world he lives in is a lie: “It was as though he had waited all his life for this moment and had been slowly sinking down, down into deep green waters, and now, at last, he was through the bright surface, had once more come up into the air, at the top of a cliff, looking down into the smiling ripples of green below” (loc. 1050). Bernard’s experience is a metaphor for the awakening of those who realize that the world they live in is built on falsehoods. Similarly, Solzhenitsyn’s description of the “permanent lie” in The Gulag Archipelago speaks to the power of propaganda to shape public opinion. He writes, “The permanent lie becomes the only safe form of existence, in the same way as betrayal. Every wag of the tongue can be overheard by someone, every facial expression observed by someone. Therefore every word, if it does not have to be a direct lie, is nonetheless obliged not to contradict the general, common lie” (p. 76). Solzhenitsyn argues that in a totalitarian state, the truth becomes a threat to those in power, and the only way to maintain control is to perpetuate a lie that is accepted by the masses. There are still examples of a “permanent lie” in our society today. To see how quickly lies may be propagated and believed, one just needs to consider the prevalence of misleading information and fake news on social media. The rise of populist movements around the world is evidence that political leaders also employ propaganda to sway public opinion. It is up to individuals to remain watchful and look for the truth since the dangers of a society based on deceit are obvious. In conclusion, The Gulag Archipelago by Solzhenitsyn and Brave New World by Huxley both provide insightful analyses of the perils of a lie-based society. The artwork serves as a reminder that the search of the truth requires vigilance because it is constantly in danger. Even if it’s still difficult for us to tell fact from fiction, the principles these authors taught us are still applicable today. As Solzhenitsyn writes, “The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie” (p. 76). We must all strive to be those courageous individuals, standing up for the truth and resisting the pull of the permanent lie.

Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World depicts a dystopian world where people are socialized from birth in order to conform to their predefined positions in society and is based on the values of efficiency, stability, and pleasure. Similar to this, Alexander Solzhenitsyn argues in his critique of totalitarianism that a totalitarian society must impose survival at all costs and place a priority on material gains over the lives of individual people. The goal of my blog today is to demonstrate how the themes of conformity, efficiency, and dehumanization are present in both texts and how they apply to our society today by contrasting a passage from Brave New World with Solzhenitsyn’s theories on contemporary techno-totalitarianism. In Brave New World, the citizens of the society are conditioned to accept their predetermined roles in society without questioning their purpose or existence. For instance, the Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning explains to a group of students that “we make a new life for you, with love and care, as far as possible from the ‘unpleasantness’ of the old world” (Huxley 10). This conditioning process ensures that everyone fits into their predetermined roles in society, which allows for maximum efficiency in production and consumption. Similarly, Solzhenitsyn argues that modern techno-totalitarianism is built on the principle of efficiency, where everything and everyone is treated as a means to an end. According to Solzhenitsyn, “the most basic feature of totalitarian society is its complete lack of respect for the individual human being, who is subordinated to the single factor of production and efficiency” (Solzhenitsyn 9). He notes that the Soviet Union’s leaders were willing to sacrifice millions of lives to achieve their objectives, stating that “there was no limit to the monstrous nature of what they could do in the name of the survival of the socialist system” (p. 157). Solzhenitsyn’s ideas align with the central ethics of modern techno-totalitarianism, which prioritize achieving material success and survival over individual freedoms and ethical values. Furthermore, individualism and independence are viewed as threats to the stability of society in Brave New World. The people of the society are trained to put the demands of the group ahead of their own interests and to use the goods and services that the government offers. There are strong similarities between Brave New World and Solzhenitsyn’s theories on modern totalitarian rule. Both pieces portray cultures in which the state prioritizes preserving social order and achieving material success at all costs. In The Gulag Archipelago, the Soviet Union’s leaders were prepared to sacrifice millions of lives in order to advance their objectives, in contrast to Brave New World, where people are taught to accept their given duties and conceal their emotions in order to maintain social stability. These fundamental principles continue to be relevant in today’s society. People are trained in the modern world to place monetary gain and societal stability over personal independence and moral principles. The development of social media and digital technology has made it easier to gather and manipulate personal data that can be used to stifle opposition and exert control over people. Moreover, the world’s rising economic disparity has produced a circumstance in which the wealthy can preserve their power by forgoing the welfare of the less fortunate.

We live in a world where information is easily accessible, but the authenticity of that information is not always guaranteed. We rely on mainstream media and trusted government sources to keep us informed, but what happens when they fail us? What happens when the information we receive is manipulated, biased, or outright false? The recent interviews by Dr. Peter McCullough and the article on climate predictions by The Epoch Times serve as excellent examples of this. Dr. McCullough, a respected cardiologist and professor of medicine, spoke about his decision not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. He highlighted the potential risks associated with the vaccine and the need for more data before making an informed decision. However, his interview was largely ignored by mainstream media outlets, and some even went as far as to label him a conspiracy theorist. This is a prime example of how information can be manipulated and misrepresented to suit a particular narrative. Similarly, The Epoch Times article on climate predictions exposed 32 predictions made by experts that were proven false over time. These predictions ranged from global cooling to overpopulation and resource depletion, and yet they were touted as scientific facts at the time. The article serves as a reminder that even trusted sources can be wrong, and it is essential to question and verify the information we receive. Lastly, the interview with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. conducted by Dr. Joseph Mercola. Kennedy is a well-known environmental lawyer and activist who has been advocating for the protection of our environment and our health for many years. In the interview, Kennedy shared his concerns about the dangers of vaccines and the potential risks associated with their widespread use. Now, I know that vaccines are a controversial topic, and many of us have been taught to trust our government and the mainstream media when it comes to health issues. However, Kennedy’s interview provided a compelling alternative viewpoint, backed up by scientific evidence and research. Kennedy argues that vaccines have not been adequately tested for safety and efficacy, and that there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that vaccines may be linked to a number of health problems, including autism, autoimmune disorders, and chronic illnesses. He also believes that the pharmaceutical industry has too much influence over our government and our media, and that they are not acting in the best interests of public health. Watching this interview was eye-opening for me, and it made me realize that we need to be more critical of the information that we are being fed by the mainstream media and trusted government sources. We need to be willing to question the status quo and look for alternative viewpoints, especially when it comes to issues that affect our health and well-being. Of course, I’m not saying that we should blindly accept everything that we hear from alternative sources. We need to be discerning and do our own research, and we need to be aware of the potential for deception and manipulation from all sides. So, my fellow millennials, I urge you to be vigilant in protecting yourself from deception and manipulation in the media. Seek out alternative viewpoints, question the status quo, and do your own research. And, most importantly, stay informed and stay empowered when it comes to your health and well-being. It is easy to fall prey to false information and conspiracy theories in a world where the lines between fact and fiction are blurred. However, we must be vigilant and discerning when consuming information, especially when it comes to matters that can impact our health, safety, and well-being. We must analyze the evidence put out, investigate the information’s sources, and seek out alternate viewpoints. Be wary of people who spread false information and those who twist the truth to suit their purposes. Yet, we also need to be careful not to fall prey to fear-based and paranoid conspiracy theories that lack supporting data. We as a generation need to learn how to sort fact from fiction in the confusing world of information.