Without a Risk, There Can Be No Reward

As I reflect back on Brave New World, I began to realize that the lifestyles of the people in the London are strikingly similar to the concepts of a low interest investment. In the utopia the people, despite their appearance of freedom and delight, have their lives controlled by a tight set of principles. This can be seen in their caste system, brainwashing conditioning system, and their “go with the flow” attitude. The World Rulers have also done away with anything that stirs emotion, passion, or troubles such as the works of Shakespeare and the Bible. They have also done away with advanced science and technology.

The people in Brave New World are in fact so conservative about their actions that in many cases they are just going through the motions. This is brought up in chapter 16 when Mustapha Mond tells The Savage that the work of the deltas can be completed in the time and that their work can easily be replaced by machines or technology.

The Utopian people are emotionless and respond only to things which positively stimulate them. They are practically robots or, according to the savage, babies. These utopian babes do not care, they have their soma and sex lives.

This type of lifestyle, with very little risks, has no rewards because their society can not advance due to its restrictions on thought, science, technology, and passion. This society is a society frozen in time, similar to a low interest investment which practically never gains additional value or progress. This is the price of stability.

Mixed emotions: BRAVE NEW WORLD

If i were to experience this Utopian society i would feel just as the savage did. Constant questions would arise and i would wonder why, just as the members of the utopian society, wouldn't understand our complex society today. I feel as if we would be ruling out joy and happiness in life and what would be the point? its inhuman! Human nature creates emotions, it creates these highs and lows that we experience day to day. This Utopian society gets rid of everything that sets us apart from the rest. Life is about challenges and reaching your full potential. Yes no war or no fighting would be nice but the way this society accomplishes "stability" is truly inhuman! i dont feel as if i agree much with the idea of a society where everyone is the same, but then again we wouldnt have an idea if thats how we were raised or in this case "created" to live.

AP Enlgish: BRAVE NEW WORLD

As i began reading it took me awhile to understand the logic behind Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" i was continuously confused on the choices and the typical social norm that was accepted. I could not understand why anyone would create a society that was so controlled. In my opinion getting rid of emotion and taking a substance to rid of emotion such as love, is baffling due to the fact that not just emotions were controlled but everything is under control from a higher power. I slowly understood his motive and reason behind this "Utopian society" if there was no love, no parents, no hate,and or no anger there was no way for the society to fall apart seeing as soma was there to fall back on.
i still question why reaching your full potential was against "the rules"?

Judging Before Knowing... That's a Shame!

As I was rereading Chapter 1 of Amusing Ourselves to Death, I found myself thinking about what Postman states on page 4. He talks about President Richard Nixon and Senator Edward Kennedy, and how Nixon offered Kennedy the advice of losing twenty pounds when running for president. Postman later declares that "it would appear that fat people are now effectively excluded from running for high political office." I strongly believe that this is an outrage, on many levels. Just because someone may appear to be 'unqualified', does not mean they cannot get the job done. Right?

This theme that is covered on page 4 really had me thinking. The funny part is that this is a theme that can be spotted out everywhere; in movies, television shows, the news, and even in one's daily life. Many people, including myself, find ourselves putting other people down before getting to know them. For instance, in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Belle (the protagonist) finds herself being sought after by a strong and charismatic fellow named Gaston. Despite the fact that he appears to be charming, Gaston turns out to be rude, selfish and unkind. When Belle first meets Beast in the castle, he is ignorant and temperamental. As time passes, however, Belle discovers that the Beast may look horrifying, but he is really a gentle person.

Belle proves to be a primary example of how everyone should live their life. Just because someone may be "fat" or "bald", does not mean they aren't qualified for the job. Another point worth mentioning is that not all jobs require an attractive person. Postman talks about the qualifications for the appearance of a president. Why would a president need to be 'attractive'. I personally would much rather live in a country governed by an intelligent president as opposed to a good-looking one. Wouldn't you? To conclude my point, looks shouldn't be the basis for everything.

The Media Does Drastically Persuade Are Cultures

In chapter one, The Medium Is the Metaphor, of Neil Postman's book , he states "[the] media favor kinds of content and therefore are capable of taking command of a culture," which i agree with. Everyday millions of people tune into the 'popular' music stations to find out what new music they should listen to, turn on the t.v so they can watch the 'hottest new show' on that night (or so that's what the media proclaims), and go and buy that months magazine so they know what to wear that summer, what the celebs are up to, and where the hots spots are that week.This is easy to do because most of the things on the t.v./radio, and in magazines are mostly frivolous things that are there to entertain people, and not inform them of the important things that are happening in the world.

I feel that this is done for a reason, that reason being what Neil Postman wrote , that the media favor content that they now certain cultures will like so that they capable of taking command. Even the news has been affected. I've noticed that when the news show something devastating, or of world importance afterwards they immediately show something that has no significance of what they have just reported, and is usually something that has to to with cute animals, celebrities, or some other nonsense. What does this show about are world and are future as a nation?

Bernard's Run.

A few nights ago I was cleaning out behing my entertainment center and I found a movie I did not recognize so I poped it into the tube. The movie turned out to be an old movie from the 80's called Logans Run. To my supirse Logan's world was a utopia and it reminded me alot of Brave new World. Throuought the movie I was constantly comparing and contrasting the two worlds. Bernard and Logan are both in the higher classes in thier society. While Bernard chooses to be socially strange, Logan is forced to become what he never wants to be... different. Both worlds are uncomfortable saying the words mother and father, I found that very interesting.
These two utopic societies got me thinking about what would change in our society to make it "perfect." Things like world peace or food for the hungry. Building a utopia has been attempted its called communism and the united states got involved in a war trying to hault it. I think with a few adjustments and a leader that isnt corrupt something simmilar to communism might be effective for countries like Uganda, with two social classes. Rich people(Rediculously Rich), and poor people(rediculosly poor). I'm not suggesting anything about Hitler or saying communism is a good thing, I simply noticed some countried could use assistance distributing their wealth.

The Truth is Revealed in the Testimony

As I was reading Chapter 2-Media as Epistemology of Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman refers to the order in the courtroom to provide an example of how the truth can be heard in different perspectives. This had caught my attention because as a fan of video games, it reminded me of a series named th "Ace Attourney". For people who are unfamiliar with this series, it is basically a game where you must find evidence, cross-examine testimonies, and prove to the court that your client is innocent. I felt that this has a major similarity because Postman had hit the ballpark by saying "Every medium of communication, I am claiming, has resonance....And it is always implicated in the ways we define and regulate our ideas of truth." because, like in the courtroom, the truth can be viewed in a positive or negative depending on how one takes in the testimony. Just like in the game, you must instigate further on the witness's testimony to get a further understanding on the true truth. In every way this also applies to everyday life, whether you tell a lie, tell someone of suspicious activity you have seen, or giving an excuse to someone, no one really knows the truth unless they instigate on further understanding on the knowledge of the truth