Neuroculture: The Construction of a Media-Obsessed Reality in Dystopian Fiction

Abstract

This paper explores the emerging phenomenon of neuroculture and its reflection in contemporary dystopian fiction. It examines the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and literature, focusing on how modern narratives portray society’s increasing dependence on dopamine-driven stimuli such as social media, psychiatric medication, and consumerist distractions. Through analyzes of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, and My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, the paper identifies patterns of escapism, passivity, and emotional withdrawal as central features of pleasure-oriented culture. The study adopts an interdisciplinary framework combining semiotics and neurobiology to interpret dystopian literature as both a mirror and a warning signal of collective detachment and mental health crises in the digital age.