Memory Hole: The Psychology of Dystopia

by Alex Dontre

A memory hole is the banishment of problematic thoughts. We exile that which we prefer not to exist. Enter the perilous Memory Hole: The Psychology of Dystopia, to explore a legion of social and psychological themes through the lens of dystopian literature. The crushing fist of 1984 annihilating thoughts from existence as a means of persuasion. The exquisite seduction of addiction as an agent of control in Brave New World. Incineration of the written word to bask in the embers of peace of mind in Fahrenheit 451. Each chapter weaves in and out of the dystopian realms forged by the great storytellers of our current age, and those of yesteryear. Memory Hole begins a century ago in the 1920s and journeys ever closer to the present day. With each chapter comes a new decade, along with the relevant social and cognitive psychological science. The odyssey also wades into the domains of neuroscience and behavioral economics as it weaves a cohesive narrative to explore over a century of science. Social issues are examined in parallel with each dystopian novel. Censorship, overpopulation, and hyperconnectivity are the themes of today. The climate crisis and human cloning are the themes of tomorrow. We can confront these issues with courage or banish them to the memory hole. Alas, the destruction of information serves to shield us from knowledge.

310 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2021

About the author

Ominously born in 1984, Alex Dontre is the author of Dichotomies: Lessons from a College Life on Tour and Memory Hole: The Psychology of Dystopia, drummer of the comedy-metal band Psychostick, adjunct professor of Psychology & Social Sciences at Franklin University, and suspected thoughtcriminal. Since 2000, Psychostick has released 7 albums and performed over 1,300 shows in Canada, England, Germany, Scotland, the (48) contiguous United States, Wales, and on one particularly metal cruise ship. He earned an M.A. in Psychology in 2023 at Fielding Graduate University, and an M.S. in Business Psychology in 2017 and a double-major B.S. in Financial Planning and Financial Management in 2016, each at Franklin University. He continues to tour manage under the moniker “The Hammer” as well as perform and record with Psychostick.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memory Hole is an adventure through the world of some classics of dystopian literature viewed through the lens of psychology. The author expertly examines the links between the historical context, current events, and concepts in psychology underlying each piece of (thank goodness?) fiction. Mr. Dontre takes some complex concepts in psychology and breaks them down into easy to understand, and, dare I say, fun and funny tidbits. This book is definitely food for thought. Check it out if you like exploring literature in new and fun ways.