Yeah, kids!... It's finally here! Not my batman cookie jar...(that came in last night). The final prompt for BNW, which is to analyze the book and find three or more similarities between it and the modern world we live in. I suppose I can deal with that... Let's take a look...
1 - Soma was a major part of the survival of those in BNW. Although they could have lived without it, they were able to be happier, at least in the state of mind. It was magnificent because these holidays did not cause any side effects, except it severely shortened the abusers life span. I wonder how long these people really would live if they never took soma... hmm... Anyways, Americans today also have many things that help distract them of the world around them, like any kind of illegal, legal, prescription, or over-the-counter drugs and alcoholic beverages. These all help to relieve the user of pain or depression, and can help them to go on a beloved holiday. Of course, these do have side effects and decrease your life span. Check one...
2 - Sex is a major part of the BNW society, because they must be happy and "everyone belongs to everyone else." It also seems to play a major part of our society as well. For instance, magazines and paparazzi are always giving the latest celebrity sex scandals. Also, today's society has seen an increase of divorces and decrease in marriages. People just want to indulge themselves in the bed and move to a much more comfortable delight. It's sad, but ultimately true. Marriage within our Christian-influenced society isn't as big a deal as it used to and people seem to be moving more towards an "everyone belongs to everyone" status. Sadly, Check two...
3 - Speaking of a Christian-influenced society, we do not see much of a Christian society, anymore. Where'd everyone go and what are they doing on Sundays? There has been a severe decrease of in people attending church. Society seems to be turning away from God and more towards science (like in BNW) or no one and nothing, for that matter. Major celebrities speak out that they do not believe in God and have turned their cheek. Damn; Check three... Success!
What the hell is wrong with our society? We seem to be looking a little bit more like BNW's as each second passes. I do not believe there is anything wrong with our society, but I do know that change is happening. We as a people adapt to change, and this change is turning heads towards technological advancements. Sadly, there may not be a Mother Earth for our generations down the road. We have to get a grip with ourselves and create the best damn society... ahh I'm just rambling now...
Happy Earth Day!... Treat it like or better than your mother!... Peace
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Brave New Conditioning
Conditioning... sounds like these kids are getting all sweaty with the lifting of heavy weights, sprinting and whatnot... Oh!... not like that?... Right... I got whatcha need here... please, have a look...
Everyone seems to be disgusted with how the people of the BNW "civilized" society are conditioned. Really, the only reason for this is because we have also been 'conditioned,' for we have been taught a sense of morality and common sense by our parents/guardians and the rest of society. It's just that our common sense and whatnot is different than that of the "civilized" in BNW, but rather closer to those of the "savages." With this, we draw a much deeper connection with John rather than Lenina.
Lenina is a civilized Beta who was conditioned through hypnopaedic methods, without her approval, like everyone else in order to keep a stable society. She learns to worship Ford, throw away her clothes, and take soma whenever she is unhappy; all because of the hypnopaedia, death conditioning, and whatever else they do to those kids.
John is born in the savage reservation under a civilized woman, Linda. Without the huge laboratories and supervisors, he is able to take in a conditioning that is more suitable and natural to us readers. He learns, all voluntarily, of God through the Christian influenced works of Shakespeare. He also learns to accept marriage and love, not only from Shakespeare, but from the Indians he is surrounded by. Because he is outcast from the rest of the Indians, he is able to feel unhappiness, loneliness, and thinks of death and the afterlife.
Altogether, their views utterly differentiate, which causes them to not understand each other. Lenina feels she can jump all over him, get it on, and then move on to another guy. However, John has learned of marriage, love and chastity, so he believes her to be a whore. All that John speaks of when quoting Shakespeare to Lenina is found romantic by most readers, yet she finds it queer.
Their conditioning patterns have allowed them to believe the opposite of each other because the "civilized" and "savages" have different belief systems. The two characters belief systems are based upon those of their societies. In one, they shadow their parents and those around them; yet in the other, they do not get the chance to mimic others... damn hypnopaedia.
If that's not enough for you, I'd be happy to talk more about it with you at some other time... I'm tired of typing... and I'm missing my shows...
Until next time... have a good one... I'll catch you on the flip-flop... Later
Everyone seems to be disgusted with how the people of the BNW "civilized" society are conditioned. Really, the only reason for this is because we have also been 'conditioned,' for we have been taught a sense of morality and common sense by our parents/guardians and the rest of society. It's just that our common sense and whatnot is different than that of the "civilized" in BNW, but rather closer to those of the "savages." With this, we draw a much deeper connection with John rather than Lenina.
Lenina is a civilized Beta who was conditioned through hypnopaedic methods, without her approval, like everyone else in order to keep a stable society. She learns to worship Ford, throw away her clothes, and take soma whenever she is unhappy; all because of the hypnopaedia, death conditioning, and whatever else they do to those kids.
John is born in the savage reservation under a civilized woman, Linda. Without the huge laboratories and supervisors, he is able to take in a conditioning that is more suitable and natural to us readers. He learns, all voluntarily, of God through the Christian influenced works of Shakespeare. He also learns to accept marriage and love, not only from Shakespeare, but from the Indians he is surrounded by. Because he is outcast from the rest of the Indians, he is able to feel unhappiness, loneliness, and thinks of death and the afterlife.
Altogether, their views utterly differentiate, which causes them to not understand each other. Lenina feels she can jump all over him, get it on, and then move on to another guy. However, John has learned of marriage, love and chastity, so he believes her to be a whore. All that John speaks of when quoting Shakespeare to Lenina is found romantic by most readers, yet she finds it queer.
Their conditioning patterns have allowed them to believe the opposite of each other because the "civilized" and "savages" have different belief systems. The two characters belief systems are based upon those of their societies. In one, they shadow their parents and those around them; yet in the other, they do not get the chance to mimic others... damn hypnopaedia.
If that's not enough for you, I'd be happy to talk more about it with you at some other time... I'm tired of typing... and I'm missing my shows...
Until next time... have a good one... I'll catch you on the flip-flop... Later
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Brave New Shit
I am terribly sorry if the title of this passage offends you, but this book offends me... or something.
Both Brave New World and Thomas More's Utopia attempt to explain different views of a futuristic society. One being a more "perfect" society where everything is owned by everyone, except for people, and they all are able to explore several different careers in a world of harmonic yet monotonous work. If perfect equals boring, then yes, this is a "perfect" society. Brave New World tries to show a distopic view of society where everything is run by science and controlled by... well, appropriately located world controllers. These guys help to create the world around them and set the futures of each individual/clone that comes out of their laboratory. The great thing is, you can get drugged up to go on crazy-ass vacations, diseases are non-existent, at least after decantation, everyone is happy, and the world's economy is stable. Problems with this society are the brainwashed, zombie citizens, where there is no way in Ford that you can move up in society, nor gain any greater knowledge to help you achieve those positions. History, literature, arts, and music have been terminated or replaced by the world controllers in order to keep the citizens under their control and not allow them to think outside of what they are already told.
Both Brave New World and Thomas More's Utopia attempt to explain different views of a futuristic society. One being a more "perfect" society where everything is owned by everyone, except for people, and they all are able to explore several different careers in a world of harmonic yet monotonous work. If perfect equals boring, then yes, this is a "perfect" society. Brave New World tries to show a distopic view of society where everything is run by science and controlled by... well, appropriately located world controllers. These guys help to create the world around them and set the futures of each individual/clone that comes out of their laboratory. The great thing is, you can get drugged up to go on crazy-ass vacations, diseases are non-existent, at least after decantation, everyone is happy, and the world's economy is stable. Problems with this society are the brainwashed, zombie citizens, where there is no way in Ford that you can move up in society, nor gain any greater knowledge to help you achieve those positions. History, literature, arts, and music have been terminated or replaced by the world controllers in order to keep the citizens under their control and not allow them to think outside of what they are already told.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Utopia: Book 3
This is probably the greatest blog in the history of our class! April Fools! Hope you all had a good one... I certainly did!
...then again, I did not get to read about the bird, knight and turtle... who won the race? (Are you lost? then forget it, or you can refer to my previous Utopia notes) Also, I'm not making any sense these days, but Thomas More does. At least, I made sense of what he said, or completely misinterpreted it but still wrote it down. In this third and final installment of my interpretation and evaluation of Utopia, I will once again change the format of my information. Just roll with me kids... it's not like you're actually reading this, are you?
Take a deep breath... it's a long ways down there...
Here we go...
Oh, and you can breathe regularly now... thank you...
Page 41 - To become a slave, either you are in debt to society or have committed a crime.
Disagree - I do not like the fact that Utopia has slaves, even if they help society. Although this is probably better than how our forefathers treated their slaves. Slaves are bad m'kay...
Page 42 - The poor of other countries offer themselves as slaves and are treated better than the other slaves.
Semi-agree - I like how they allow others to take refuge in Utopia, help with the labour and are treated better than criminals, but that'd cause overpopulation and other problems that we see with immigration today.
Page 42 - Do everything to make the sick happy, even if you have to kill them *(as in put them out of their misery)*
Agree - The sick and suffering should be treated with the utmost respect. Their god wants them to be happy, and for some, death will make them happier than they already are. Deal with it.
Page 42 - Women cannot marry until 18; Men until 22
Disagree - That's bullshit! There should never be an age limit set for marriage no matter how wise they are. Love hits people at different ages; people gotta understand.
Page 42 - Premarital sex = no marriage
Semi-Disagree - Premarital sex is a no-no, but having that result in no marriage at all is too harsh of a punishment.
Page 43 - No divorces or polygamy; divorces only for those imposed with adultery or insufferable perverseness (then the Senate steps up to bat)
Ehh...Even? - People should have the choice of marrying the right person, and since you cannot go back in time (yet), might as well get a divorce and find love elsewhere. Polygamy and adultery is bad, m'kay.
Page 44 - High crimes result in enslavement; if they rebel death falls upon them.
Iffy-Agree - Enslavement is not good, but for the terms of Utopia, I like how they have them labouring for the better of the society and then put to death if they commit another crime. It reminds me of community service, but instead of more time, you die for your mistakes.
Page 44 - Marriage choices are made be men and the two are presented naked to each other.
Ehh...Even? - Everything's there, no hidden surprises. Men shouldn't just go out and judge women and choose them for their looks.
Page 44 - Most men choose wives for obedience, not looks.
Disagree - Love is the factor of marriage, not looks or obedience.
Page 45 - No tricky lawyers; plead your own cause.
Agree - If your in deep shit and can't get out, good luck. Plead the truth. 'nough said.
Page 45 - No alliances, just friends and neighbors.
Iffy-Agree - Your not caught in a war just because your some country's ally, but you still have your support of your friends and neighbors.
Page 46 - Utopians detest war, but everyone trains up, just-in-case.
Agree - It's a great way to be prepared, like the National Guard (All friends = no enemies = no fighting = no need for soldiers)
Page 47 - If someone of neighboring countries injure or kill any Utopians, then the offenders must be condemned to slavery or death; if not, 'tis war
Iffy-Disagree - Eye-for-an-eye isn't always the best policy, but not going to war is a great deal. This sounds alot like the war on terrorism. We're trying to find this one guy, but we're caught fighting some stupid battles over in no-man's-land.
Page 48 - Instead of having a long war, they would rather terminate those in charge of the attacks and put someone better at the ranks.
Ehh...Even? - No wars is sweet, but killing isn't awesome. It sounds like the U.S. trying to moderate the world; putting the powers we want in command of the countries.
Page 50 - Rather let enemies flea than pursue, as well as hold them captive than kill instantly.
Agree - Violence is not the answer.
Page 51 - Do not burn or terrorize the towns when captured during battle. Instead, keep it under the kind, Utopian rule and use their resources.
Agree - Sounds better than destroying it. Make the most of it.
Page 52 - Let everyone worship who or what they want.
Agree - Don't be dissin' my beliefs dawg!
Page 55 - Marriage is the best path of life. Being single has a hurtful life and is discouraged, unless it's for religion; then it's cool.
Disagree - Let the peeps decide what they want to do with their life. Get of their backs, homes...
Page 55 - Children are to be produced for the better of the country.
Disagree - Baby-making is to kindle new life, not for more labourers.
Page 57 - Temples have no pictures of God so that everyone may see him/her/them as they wish.
Agree - The temple allows everyone of different religions to meet. It also lets them have their own image of their diety. Yay individuality!
Page 58 - No sacrifice, just incense and candles
Agree - Great stuff Tommy. Sacrificing people all the time ain't a great thing to do. Incense elevates the sould into a spiritual realm.
Whew!... that's all for now kids. Hope you enjoyed reading... doubtful. Which format you like best?... You don't have to comment... only you can decide that... Hooray free will!
...then again, I did not get to read about the bird, knight and turtle... who won the race? (Are you lost? then forget it, or you can refer to my previous Utopia notes) Also, I'm not making any sense these days, but Thomas More does. At least, I made sense of what he said, or completely misinterpreted it but still wrote it down. In this third and final installment of my interpretation and evaluation of Utopia, I will once again change the format of my information. Just roll with me kids... it's not like you're actually reading this, are you?
Take a deep breath... it's a long ways down there...
Here we go...
Oh, and you can breathe regularly now... thank you...
Page 41 - To become a slave, either you are in debt to society or have committed a crime.
Disagree - I do not like the fact that Utopia has slaves, even if they help society. Although this is probably better than how our forefathers treated their slaves. Slaves are bad m'kay...
Page 42 - The poor of other countries offer themselves as slaves and are treated better than the other slaves.
Semi-agree - I like how they allow others to take refuge in Utopia, help with the labour and are treated better than criminals, but that'd cause overpopulation and other problems that we see with immigration today.
Page 42 - Do everything to make the sick happy, even if you have to kill them *(as in put them out of their misery)*
Agree - The sick and suffering should be treated with the utmost respect. Their god wants them to be happy, and for some, death will make them happier than they already are. Deal with it.
Page 42 - Women cannot marry until 18; Men until 22
Disagree - That's bullshit! There should never be an age limit set for marriage no matter how wise they are. Love hits people at different ages; people gotta understand.
Page 42 - Premarital sex = no marriage
Semi-Disagree - Premarital sex is a no-no, but having that result in no marriage at all is too harsh of a punishment.
Page 43 - No divorces or polygamy; divorces only for those imposed with adultery or insufferable perverseness (then the Senate steps up to bat)
Ehh...Even? - People should have the choice of marrying the right person, and since you cannot go back in time (yet), might as well get a divorce and find love elsewhere. Polygamy and adultery is bad, m'kay.
Page 44 - High crimes result in enslavement; if they rebel death falls upon them.
Iffy-Agree - Enslavement is not good, but for the terms of Utopia, I like how they have them labouring for the better of the society and then put to death if they commit another crime. It reminds me of community service, but instead of more time, you die for your mistakes.
Page 44 - Marriage choices are made be men and the two are presented naked to each other.
Ehh...Even? - Everything's there, no hidden surprises. Men shouldn't just go out and judge women and choose them for their looks.
Page 44 - Most men choose wives for obedience, not looks.
Disagree - Love is the factor of marriage, not looks or obedience.
Page 45 - No tricky lawyers; plead your own cause.
Agree - If your in deep shit and can't get out, good luck. Plead the truth. 'nough said.
Page 45 - No alliances, just friends and neighbors.
Iffy-Agree - Your not caught in a war just because your some country's ally, but you still have your support of your friends and neighbors.
Page 46 - Utopians detest war, but everyone trains up, just-in-case.
Agree - It's a great way to be prepared, like the National Guard (All friends = no enemies = no fighting = no need for soldiers)
Page 47 - If someone of neighboring countries injure or kill any Utopians, then the offenders must be condemned to slavery or death; if not, 'tis war
Iffy-Disagree - Eye-for-an-eye isn't always the best policy, but not going to war is a great deal. This sounds alot like the war on terrorism. We're trying to find this one guy, but we're caught fighting some stupid battles over in no-man's-land.
Page 48 - Instead of having a long war, they would rather terminate those in charge of the attacks and put someone better at the ranks.
Ehh...Even? - No wars is sweet, but killing isn't awesome. It sounds like the U.S. trying to moderate the world; putting the powers we want in command of the countries.
Page 50 - Rather let enemies flea than pursue, as well as hold them captive than kill instantly.
Agree - Violence is not the answer.
Page 51 - Do not burn or terrorize the towns when captured during battle. Instead, keep it under the kind, Utopian rule and use their resources.
Agree - Sounds better than destroying it. Make the most of it.
Page 52 - Let everyone worship who or what they want.
Agree - Don't be dissin' my beliefs dawg!
Page 55 - Marriage is the best path of life. Being single has a hurtful life and is discouraged, unless it's for religion; then it's cool.
Disagree - Let the peeps decide what they want to do with their life. Get of their backs, homes...
Page 55 - Children are to be produced for the better of the country.
Disagree - Baby-making is to kindle new life, not for more labourers.
Page 57 - Temples have no pictures of God so that everyone may see him/her/them as they wish.
Agree - The temple allows everyone of different religions to meet. It also lets them have their own image of their diety. Yay individuality!
Page 58 - No sacrifice, just incense and candles
Agree - Great stuff Tommy. Sacrificing people all the time ain't a great thing to do. Incense elevates the sould into a spiritual realm.
Whew!... that's all for now kids. Hope you enjoyed reading... doubtful. Which format you like best?... You don't have to comment... only you can decide that... Hooray free will!
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