Despite the fact that brave new world was written in the 1930's it is still a relevant novel in how people can become more machine like. In the case of Brave New World people are machines that produce, consume, and then after 60 years die. This reminds me of cars or computers designed to break down just in time for you to buy the next model. The society has progressed, but progress itself is neither good nor bad, it is a tool, or a force. Both of those are morally neutral, and depend entirely on who uses them. This creates a horizontal society that rules itself. The point of view is equally scattered in chapter 3, after which it seems to "lock" onto Bernard Marx. All of these are relevant critques of our own society that at times seems to be in direct conflict with itself. A society that preached free love(an inherent contradiction in terms) and abstince. Too be fair our society is fragmented more in part to personal belief and congitive dissonace than any bio-engineering. Another interesting point that is brought up is the dislike of the lower castes (Deltas, Epsilons) by the upper castes (Alphas, Betas) classism anybody? another thing Why do we never see male betas or female alphas? to be honest that last point's a bit off topic...
But my opinion of this society is highly critical as it lacks humanity, something I would define based upon potential of all human beings to achieve greatness, and some do. By breeding everyone, they have set limits. This I strongly object to and will oppose, at the very least in spirt, until the end of the universe. On a side note, this does not mean that I am against social welfare, to the contrary I think it gives our society an improved probability of survival, by preserving at the very least the possiblity of advancement. We see this heavily in the first chapter with the predestination rooms and how the physically human but mentally machines are "made." In the first chapter we see and in a sense hear all of the students "scribbling notes" it is repeated in some form or another, four times additionally the phrase"from the horse's mouth to the notebook." These are not students, they're photocopiers. ignore that last statement it sorta worked its way out my ear
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You speak of how it would be awful to breed people like machines, which are virility animals, to do certain task in reality we already do. For example my sister is in 4-H and she breeds rabbits when a mother has babies she conditions the rabbits not to pee on itself my putting a chemical on the fur. This process must happen at a young age so the rabbit learns to not stain the fur so it will look presentable in the rabbit shows. You may be saying right now well duh animals can easily be conditioned. So can people and therefore anyone can be machine like in any time or era. A great example of this would have to be bringing up my even younger sister. I'm not going to lie i personally have conditioned her to lie for me, listen to me, and not scream when we fight. Every being is in some way or another to be taught something to change their behavior to be machine like.
ReplyDeleteIts very interesting that you brought up how in Brave New World males are seen as upper castes and females rarely. It almost can be seen in today’s society even though barriers have been broken down and people scream equality through out the nation on billboards, riots, and ballots. However, statics have shown that we are still not equal, and men on average are paid higher then women in a career. It is interesting because even though in Brave New World there is suppose to be "progress" in everything that happens in the world. Why not equality of gender and class? There is no advancement just falsification in Brave New World.