Definition Argument Timed Writing Contemporary society is currently in an adolescent phase, rapidly maturing into one state of banality, passivity and selfishness similar to the culture illustrated by Aldous Huxley in his novel Brave New World. Although society has not yet reached the extreme state described by Huxley, and epitomized by the “feelies,” the “porgy orgy,” and the “bumblepuppy juicer,” contemporary social critic Neil Postman is correct in his 1986 commentary that man has more to fear “the infliction of pleasure” than the infliction of pain, the latter of which sums up the alternative end of modern society seen by George Orwell in his novel 1984. We may not have achieved either yet states; however, the passivity, banality, and selfishness demonstrated by the media, popular culture, and extreme consumerism rightly predict an end reminiscent of Huxley's utopian society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay A plague among contemporary times, passivity is a scourge on our beloved society that is too often overlooked. Famous musician Jack Johnson accurately describes the passive and indifferent nature of society when he asks, “why don't journalists cry for all the people who die?” It's because humans have made themselves immune to the horrors portrayed by the media; it is because man has stopped caring enough about his fellow man; it is because society has erected a structure composed of its wealth and passivity that satisfies those with Postman's "appetite for distractions", while at the same time keeping them in a state of loving oppression, of blissful and contented ignorance. The wealthy, upper class society doesn't care. More and more parts of the world are becoming wealthy and upper class. Therefore, Huxley's passive and selfish society does not approximate an Orwellian regime. It is not a higher power that facilitates this metamorphosis into our new world of ignorance, it is not the fault of a government or a ruler. No, society is actively, if unconsciously, moving towards this goal on its own. As the institutions of Facebook and cell phones become more and more popular, selfishness and passivity increase proportionately. A look at any individual's Facebook feed will reveal a litany of platitudes, most of which violate the rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling. “So much homwerk FML,” echoes in the ever more ignorant and banal halls of modern life, and similar (and even worse) affronts to both culture and language continue to haunt our society's adolescent years. As our appetite for distraction continues to grow, the foreshadowings of Postman and Huxley increasingly come to light. But aren't technological advances just what their name suggests? Isn't that progress? Inflicted upon the pleasure of contemporary society, many argue that this is true: our consumerist appetite for distraction is indeed a boon. But moving towards a world of irrelevance, a society of “porgies” and journeys towards “feelies”, is not a progression at all, it is a radical digression of values ​​and ethics. Please note: This is just an example Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Neither Huxley's nor Postman's visions have been realized, but it is in the hands of the people of the world, the people of an adolescent and rapidly maturing society, to truly determine and consciously choose the path that the.