I have thought about this for some time as well.
Reflecting again, That they have been combined in the past and are existing as such at present. I would say most never knew or soon forget that Nazi Germany functioned with both. Germany before the wars had been among the most cosmopolitan of societies and scientifically, likely the most advanced in the world.
The First World War and its economic aftermath wrecked most of the more pleasant and urbane activities there, naturally their return was wished for and seemed natural and right. Herr Hitler, Promised the return of Germany to it place of preminence and power in the world. "Strength through Joy!" a name given to this notion, was promoted and celebrated with all "due" fanfare and became an example of its fruition, along with the rallies and various marches of rememberance and frivolity. In the economic recovery, emphasis was placed on the return of consumer goods to market to return the people to a sense of normalcy after years of deprivation. To the very end, the regime maintained this sense of normalcy and affluance. The loss of the war came as a severe shock to cities that had not seen the allied bombings and invasions as strick control of information of these events was tightly controlled and the flow of goods mantained until it became impossible. "Bread and Circuses" with the lash in the ring masters hand. Public humiliation and executions serve a dual function in societies. The carrot of entertainment, the topic of most discussion about such events and the stick of the state punishing those who dare question Gott's perfect order or resist its injunctions.
Has anyone ever asked themselves why the photos were made at Abu Ghraib? Why there were orders in the system to produce them? Just who were the intended audience of these images? I leave you this Sunday with these things to ponder.

Gott Mit Uns!

During the nazi regime books were banned and burnt I am not sure why I just thought this but there is a practise of outlawing books in case they turn peoples heads and maybe start a revolution.I remember a true story about a book that was banned because men unrequited in love started to fantasise about dying for love and there was an epidemic of suicides that followed will try to source this. For me books are powerful.

Wow. Like this. I think both are right but what is happening right now is closer to Huxley. (He says on a social media site)

Opposites can often be better described as complementary parts.

The news for example does bury points in a ton of details, but it leaves out the most significant points too for good measure. So it does both the Huxlian and Orwellian thing.

I think Huxley pretty well nailed it. Although Orwellian scenarios could still obtain.

You know... I read both of those books when I was too young. I should go back and give them a 2nd go. Thank you for this post, @jacpod.

I think we are drowning in information and it is difficult to discern the truth. I don't see that books are being banned, but I do see that peopel are so apathetic that they aren't reading. So looks like Huxley may be right.

Now I feel like I should read something from Huxley.

As for the truth being hidden/ everywhere. In this age where everyone has an opinion its a paradox that its all true. For some they cannot sort the wheat from the chaff. For some its simple to see through the rubbish and check it through scientific studies and even snopes.

Some people will always believe what is convenient, what the Al Gores and Michael Moores present in an exagerrated fashion as they want to push a point home. Some people wait until the real polls are in for the result. (Some people just cheat apparently so that it all seems to add up!).

Pleasure and pain are traditionally not poles apart are they? ever been on a computer game but wanted food or the toilet? We can have our eyes wide shut and still function.

I don't see Orwell and Huxley as opposites I guess, just two visions for a similar future.

In, After Many a Summer Huxley talks about escaping the status quo by living off the grid. Mr Propter talks about the freedom this could elicit and the types of people needed. A discussion about big business not allowing it is also had.

I find this interesting at a time when some people are seeking to do just that, tiny houses and van living. Downsizing allows a freedom for certain types, just as Propter/ Huxley discussed.

The scariest thing for me is that these books were written so long ago and their lessons are still relevant and being learned!

I found this on facebook and it seems to fit for me at the moment in all the turmoil in the U.K and also my society and friends around the world.