In 2025, we find ourselves in the very world that early 20th-century authors Orwell and Huxley warned us about. We live in a hybrid dystopia—one where people are lulled into apathy through distraction (Huxley) while simultaneously being watched and manipulated (Orwell)
In the book Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman argued that the greatest threat to society was not Orwell’s vision of oppressive censorship (1984), but Huxley’s world of trivialized distraction (Brave New World). These two books were required reading in my high school and should be required reading today. Amusing Ourselves to Death is more relevant now than ever, serving as a roadmap for reclaiming our attention, critical thinking, and freedom in an age of digital control.
Postman warned that we wouldn’t need a totalitarian state to suppress us—we would willingly amuse ourselves into passivity, drowning in entertainment, fragmented news, and shallow discourse. Nearly forty years later, his warning has proven disturbingly accurate. We are overstimulated by TikTok videos, 24-hour news cycles, and algorithm-driven content designed to captivate, not inform. Serious political issues are buried between celebrity gossip and viral memes, numbing us to reality. Instead of engaging in deep reading or meaningful debate, we scroll endlessly, feeding a system that thrives on distraction. This erosion of focus has reshaped civil discourse at every level—from local forums discussing lost pets to congressional debates that now resemble schoolyard taunts and bullying.
The unfortunate twist to Postman’s summary is that we are also living in Orwell’s nightmare today. While we amuse ourselves, we are also watched, manipulated, and controlled in ways Orwell could not have imagined. In today’s world, surveillance and censorship coexist with distraction and entertainment. The most powerful form of control is not outright oppression, but a seamless blend of manipulation and voluntary compliance.
We are living in an era of surveillance capitalism, where governments and tech giants track our every move, collecting data on our behavior, preferences, and possibly even private conversations depending on who you believe.
Unlike Orwell’s Big Brother, who enforced control through fear, today’s surveillance is disguised as convenience and entertainment. We willingly hand over our privacy in exchange for personalized ads, targeted content, and algorithmically curated feeds, unaware of how deeply our perceptions and choices are being shaped.
At the same time, censorship operates subtly, without the need for dictators or government mandates. Instead of banning books or policing thoughts through brute force, modern censorship thrives through self-censorship, being cancelled by a virtual – unseen mob who may or may not be even real, who call for deplatforming, and debanking of the “enemy”. Fear of being “canceled” or labeled as problematic discourages people from expressing dissenting views. Look what’s going on in the UK today. People are being arrested for their thoughts.
Social media platforms manipulate visibility, shadow banning ideas that challenge dominant narratives while amplifying content that conforms. In this way, free speech is eroded not by government edict, but by a culture that rewards conformity and punishes deviation. This happens as well with the old fashioned newspaper when letters to the editor are chosen for their narrative.
Meanwhile, Postman’s Huxleyan warning has fully materialized in the form of an endless distraction machine. News is no longer about informing the public—it is designed for engagement, outrage, and spectacle. Headlines pulled from around the world and most of which have no direct impact on our day to day lives are crafted to trigger emotional reactions, reducing complex issues to easily digestible, viral soundbites. Long-form discussion has been replaced with tweets, memes, and clickbait headlines, all optimized to keep us scrolling rather than thinking. Beneath the flood of trivial content, real issues—corruption, systemic failures, erosion of civil liberties—become lost in the noise.
Fear is also a powerful tool of control. Orwell envisioned a world where perpetual war kept people obedient; today, crises (food shortage is a good one as are roving gangs of thugs that may be heading to your neighborhood next!) are used to keep society in a constant state of fear. When people believe they are in danger, they willingly trade liberty for security—often without realizing the cost.
What Can We Do?
If we are trapped between Orwell’s watchful eye and Huxley’s distraction trap, what can we do? The first step is to reclaim our attention. Passive media consumption keeps us controlled; active engagement keeps us aware and thinking. Instead of mindlessly scrolling, we should seek out long-form reading, in-depth discussions, and prudent analysis. Critical thinking requires time, patience, and courage to resist the easy path – virtues that entertainment-driven media actively discourages.
Justice demands that we guard free speech, even when it makes us uncomfortable. Make sure your elected officials know you are watching them and that you vote! Censorship, even in the name of safety or inclusivity, leads to intellectual stagnation. Protecting open discourse ensures that no one entity has absolute control over truth. Additionally, protecting privacy is more urgent than ever. Assuming that everything online is being tracked should be our default mindset. Using privacy tools, limiting data sharing, and demanding ethical tech policies are necessary steps in reclaiming autonomy.
Most importantly, we need to engage, not just consume. Doomscrolling and binge-watching do nothing to change the world; meaningful conversations, critical questioning, and informed action do. Rather than passively absorbing information, we should challenge narratives, seek alternative perspectives, and cultivate real-world connections outside of digital spaces. Postman feared we would be too entertained to care about our freedom. Orwell feared we would be too controlled to fight back. The 21st century has given us both.
practical steps to resist both digital distraction (Huxley’s world) and surveillance (Orwell’s world).
Reclaim Your Attention (Digital Minimalism)
- Limit social media use—Set daily time limits or use apps to block distractions.
- Use your phone as a work tool – Remove games, Facebook, news feeds from it.
- Turn off notifications—Push alerts hijack your attention and make you a slave to the algorithm.
- Use grayscale mode—Reducing the color saturation on your phone makes it less addictive.
Consume Intentionally, Not Passively.
- Read long-form content—Instead of endless scrolling, make time for books, essays, and deep discussions.
- Watch less, think more—Avoid binge-watching and mindless consumption of news. If a topic matters, study it deeply rather than relying on viral soundbites.
- Be mindful of media bias—Follow multiple sources to avoid algorithmic echo chambers. Call out the BS when you see it.
Engage in Deep Work & Reflection
- Pray with Intention. It’s natural for distractions to arise during prayer, but having your phone nearby only increases the temptation. Set it aside and focus fully on your time with God.
- Practice boredom — We are no longer comfortable without our phones nearby. Let yourself be uncomfortable without reaching for your phone. It strengthens focus and creativity. Start with leaving your phone in another room while you pray your morning prayers.
- Journal or meditate—Writing your thoughts helps you process information critically, rather than reacting emotionally to media.
- Schedule uninterrupted work time—Use techniques like Pomodoro (25-minute focused sessions) to regain deep concentration.
Prioritize Real-World Interaction
- Have phone-free conversations—When talking to people, put your phone away. Real relationships matter more than digital ones.
- Replace screen time with hobbies—Take up reading, writing, exercise, or creative pursuits that engage the mind and body.
Resisting Surveillance and Algorithmic Control (Orwell’s Warning)
- Protect Your Privacy Online
- Use privacy-focused browsers like Firefox.
- Ditch Google search—Use search engines like DuckDuckGo that don’t track you.
- Use encrypted messaging apps like Signal or Telegram instead of WhatsApp.
Minimize Data Collection
- Turn off location tracking on your phone unless necessary.
- Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)—It masks your online activity from ISPs and government surveillance.
- Avoid unnecessary smart devices—Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and other smart assistants are always listening.
Take Control of Your Social Media Presence
- Don’t overshare personal details – Be mindful of what you post online.
- Limit facial recognition exposure—Avoid apps and websites that collect biometric data.
- Use alterantive emails for online sign-ups for blogs etc. Avoid linking everything to your real identity.
Postman warned that a distracted society is an easily controlled society. If we do nothing, we will continue to be entertained into passivity (Huxley) and monitored into compliance (Orwell).
The solution is not to reject technology, but to use it wisely and intentionally. Reclaim your focus, limit your digital footprint, and engage with the world on your own terms, not those dictated by algorithms and surveillance systems. The future is still ours to shape—but only if we choose to wake up.
