Dystopias - take your pick

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Yes it is! Even the Inner Party, IIRC, live in what we would regard as extremely spartan conditions. If I were to be reincarnated in Oceania (or either of the other two) I would pray that I would wake up a prole.

Reply 21

_jackofdiamonds

Matrix or Brave New World.

Reply 22

2026

Equilibrium was a satisfactory dystopian film. Has anyone watched it?

Reply 23

Trangulor

Yup, I enjoyed that film, it got me started on the dystopian novels. Currently I am reading 1984 (I've read BNW and Fahrenheit 451, and seen the Matrix), so will wait before voting.

For me its between BNW and the Matrix. BNW has more enjoyment, since the whole thing is dedicated to keeping people happy (save electrocuting the babies), yet the Matrix gives a mental freedom not experienced in BNW. For example, there is no brainwashing in the Matrix, except for the imposed laws of physics etc, no one is made to think in a certain way. Perhaps its a little to do with me being used to living as portrayed in the Matrix that I find it less unappealing

Reply 24

kizer

Agent Smith

BNW, by a mile. Universal happiness and contentment with one's lot - without the exploitation of the Matrix? Priceless. Althought I see your point.

Totally agree.

Reply 25

Mattmoy_2000

Ignorance is bliss. The matrix, although 1984 is clearly the best of those novels.

Reply 26

gaijin

Harrison Bergeron

I have my reasons...

Reply 27

kizer

Mattmoy_2000

Ignorance is bliss. The matrix, although 1984 is clearly the best of those novels.

Ignorance is bliss? That doesn't make sense here. If you were raised in the world of BNW, you would think it was completely normal. And you would be drugged up and sexed up. Hell yeah!

And I disagree, I prefer BNW to 1984 by a long way.. Huxley's writing is fantastic while Orwell can be cumbersome.

Reply 28

Champagne Breakfast

Agent Smith

BNW, by a mile. Universal happiness and contentment with one's lot - without the exploitation of the Matrix? Priceless. Althought I see your point.

Agreed.

Reply 29

Champagne Breakfast

Although you do run the risk of ending up as one of the unhappy Alpha males.

Reply 30

Champagne Breakfast

Agent Smith

Maybe if you were right at the top of the Inner Party it would be quite a good life.

Reply 31

Agent Smith

As BB himself, you mean? But it's fairly strongly implied that he doesn't exist. There is only the Inner and Outer Party; the very top level of the pyramid is missing. I think. And anyway, the whole point of IngSoc is that it's not corrupt. Those higher up do not gain much from their position, in the way of privileges and luxuries. "Power as an end in itself", remember? Not as the means to personal opulence.

Reply 32

Agent Smith

Can one of the three (so far) who picked A Clockwork Orange offer a reason for the choice? I'm intrigued.

Reply 33

Agent Smith

gaijin

Harrison Bergeron

I have my reasons...

I hadn't come across that one before. Looks interesting.

Reply 34

2026

The Clockwork Orange, in the movie sense surely cannot be categorised as a dystopia, can it?

I watched the movie a few years back, and I don't think it ought to be classified as a dystopia, and certainly not among the likes of Nineteen Eighty-Four, and Brave New World.

Reply 35

Mercer

I agree. Clockwork Orange isn't fundamentally different from now.

Reply 36

Apagg

The movie doesn't do the book justice

Reply 37

Agent Smith

No, it does not. Isn't the ending completely altered?

Perhaps it's not strictly a dystopian novel. It's not about the society in general; just one aspect of it.