Huxley’s Low Opinion of Americans’ Approach To Life

Today is the birthday of English author Aldous Huxley, best known for his dystopian novel Brave New World. Huxley wed in 1919 and the couple traveled a lot during the early years of their marriage. According to The Writer’s Almanac:  He liked the vitality and energy of the Americans they met, but he thought that energy was wasted on mindless pursuits. “Nowhere, perhaps, is there so little conversation […] It is all movement and noise, like the water gurgling out of the bath – down the waste. Yes, down the waste.”

It’s hard to imagine what he would say about the racket we Americans are making surrounding our presidential race in 2016. I don’t think he’d be too impressed.