- Critique the author
Why does Huxley create a new world? I think it is very weird how he created a new world. I have no idea what was going through his mind when he did this. Why would he do this? Would you if you had the chance take soma or would you just live with your problems? If I was given this opportunity I would live with the problems because the only way to succeed is to learn from your mistakes. Is that the message he is trying to get across? Is he trying to say that we should be lucky with the world we live in? I think that the way he wrote this book pretty bad and confusing. There are a ton of scientific words that he uses to describe what is going on. It is pretty hard for a regular person to grab ahold of this material. Did his past influence the way he wrote the book?
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Science
I think as technology continues to advance especially in the area of human biology; the question of ethical issues behind advancements should be approached. This would involve the change and determination of genes. If society begins to test genes in any sort of way, a new type of discrimination will be created. This will create a new class system and also widen the gap between the rich and the poor because the rich will be able to genetically engineer their children to be perfect. In the movie, Gattaca, the main character, Vincent Freeman, needs to hide his genes in order to achieve his dreams. He was originally discriminated against in the workplace because of his DNA. In this case, Vincent is completely capable of doing any job, but he has to pretend to be someone else in order to actually be able to. I think this is quite ridiculous, and I would hate to see our society become like this one. At some point, the government will need to step in and guide scientific advances. Instead of asking could we when it comes to these advances, we will need to start asking should we.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Epsilons vs. Babies
Race #4: How are the attitudes toward the poor in A Modest Proposal similar to the attitudes toward the Epsilons in BNW?
1. Babies in A Modest Proposal and Epsilons in BNW are treated very similarly. Epsilons are created to serve all other castes and to do the most labor-intensive work. They are created dumb so that they do not have the ability to challenge the other castes, however they are a respected necessity of the World State society. Jonathan Swift proposes that to attack the problem of poverty, a simple solution would be to eat the babies of the homeless and use them for resources of clothing, heat and other basic needs. These views are similar because they each show how while they are dumb, dumb is not necessarily what they need to be used for; epsilons and babies can serve purposes despite being unintelligent.
Quotes of support:
BNW:
• Page 27: “Alpha children wear grey. They work much harder than we do, because they're so frightfully clever. I'm awfully glad I'm a Beta, because I don't work so hard. And then we are much better than the Gammas and Deltas. Gammas are stupid. They all wear green, and Delta children wear khaki. Oh no, I don't want to play with Delta children. And Epsilons are still worse. They're too stupid to be able to read or write. Besides they wear black, which is such a beastly colour. I'm so glad I'm a Beta." – shows how little respect Epsilons actually get from other castes because in the sleep-teaching they are taught to disrespect and not appreciate the Epsilons.
• Page 65: “How bitterly he envied men…who never had to shout at an Epsilon to get an order obeyed.” Bernard is using the control over the Epsilons to justify power in society, thus anybody that can easily control them has a high status. This quotation also explains that the Epsilons are solely controlled “pawns” of society to serve one purpose, providing for others. Swifts’ use of babies is similar to this because they are to serve basic necessities for humans as well.
A Modest Proposal:
• Page 2: “I have reckoned upon a medium that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar year, if tolerably nurses, increaseth to 28 pounds. I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.” Swift is suggesting that babies can be priced as a token for landlords when people cannot pay their rent. He is suggesting that babies are to serve basic purposes of life to their parents, and having them do so will solve problems that are occurring. Similar to Epsilons, babies are intended to serve the lowest purpose in society and possibly even more extreme than Epsilons because they are being used as food.
1. Babies in A Modest Proposal and Epsilons in BNW are treated very similarly. Epsilons are created to serve all other castes and to do the most labor-intensive work. They are created dumb so that they do not have the ability to challenge the other castes, however they are a respected necessity of the World State society. Jonathan Swift proposes that to attack the problem of poverty, a simple solution would be to eat the babies of the homeless and use them for resources of clothing, heat and other basic needs. These views are similar because they each show how while they are dumb, dumb is not necessarily what they need to be used for; epsilons and babies can serve purposes despite being unintelligent.
Quotes of support:
BNW:
• Page 27: “Alpha children wear grey. They work much harder than we do, because they're so frightfully clever. I'm awfully glad I'm a Beta, because I don't work so hard. And then we are much better than the Gammas and Deltas. Gammas are stupid. They all wear green, and Delta children wear khaki. Oh no, I don't want to play with Delta children. And Epsilons are still worse. They're too stupid to be able to read or write. Besides they wear black, which is such a beastly colour. I'm so glad I'm a Beta." – shows how little respect Epsilons actually get from other castes because in the sleep-teaching they are taught to disrespect and not appreciate the Epsilons.
• Page 65: “How bitterly he envied men…who never had to shout at an Epsilon to get an order obeyed.” Bernard is using the control over the Epsilons to justify power in society, thus anybody that can easily control them has a high status. This quotation also explains that the Epsilons are solely controlled “pawns” of society to serve one purpose, providing for others. Swifts’ use of babies is similar to this because they are to serve basic necessities for humans as well.
A Modest Proposal:
• Page 2: “I have reckoned upon a medium that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar year, if tolerably nurses, increaseth to 28 pounds. I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.” Swift is suggesting that babies can be priced as a token for landlords when people cannot pay their rent. He is suggesting that babies are to serve basic purposes of life to their parents, and having them do so will solve problems that are occurring. Similar to Epsilons, babies are intended to serve the lowest purpose in society and possibly even more extreme than Epsilons because they are being used as food.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
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To Dr. Solis' class: Thank you for including us in your discussions.
Have fun!
-Mrs. Resnick (Mr. Gallivan and Mr. Kallay)
Remember, our class rules apply for all posts and discussion. Be respectful of other ideas and take all the care that you would for a regular class assignment.
To Dr. Solis' class: Thank you for including us in your discussions.
Have fun!
-Mrs. Resnick (Mr. Gallivan and Mr. Kallay)
Individuality, Identity, and Conformity
1. In order to prevent individuality, what kind of things are discouraged in Brave New World? Why does Huxley target those?
2. If the motto of the World State is “Community, Identity, and Stability,” how are those three ideas carried out?
3. At some level conformity is necessary to engage in a society or culture. When does conformity start to have a negative impact on individuals or society at large?
4. What would it mean to conform to being a “non-conformist”?
5. In Gattaca, Vincent overcomes his “predetermined” identity. In our society, what kinds of predetermined identities exist? Is it possible to overcome this? Is it the norm?
1. In order to prevent individuality, what kind of things are discouraged in Brave New World? Why does Huxley target those?
2. If the motto of the World State is “Community, Identity, and Stability,” how are those three ideas carried out?
3. At some level conformity is necessary to engage in a society or culture. When does conformity start to have a negative impact on individuals or society at large?
4. What would it mean to conform to being a “non-conformist”?
5. In Gattaca, Vincent overcomes his “predetermined” identity. In our society, what kinds of predetermined identities exist? Is it possible to overcome this? Is it the norm?
Race/Class/Gender, Prejudice, Discrimination, and Power
1. Who are the women we encounter in BNW and Gattaca? From these examples, what, if anything, can be concluded about the role of women in both BNW and Gattaca?
2. What can you infer about the attitude towards the poor in Ireland when Jonathan Swift wrote A Modest Proposal? How is this alike or different from attitudes towards people of working class or lower socioeconomic classes today?
3. How are the attitudes toward the poor in A Modest Proposal similar to the attitudes toward the Epsilons in BNW?
4. The class conditioning that exists in BNW is very explicit. What are the more implicit kinds of class conditioning in our society?
5. Though Swift’s notion of “eating the poor” seems extreme and appalling, he says “I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children” (2). In what other aspects of society do we more metaphorically “devour the poor”?
1. Who are the women we encounter in BNW and Gattaca? From these examples, what, if anything, can be concluded about the role of women in both BNW and Gattaca?
2. What can you infer about the attitude towards the poor in Ireland when Jonathan Swift wrote A Modest Proposal? How is this alike or different from attitudes towards people of working class or lower socioeconomic classes today?
3. How are the attitudes toward the poor in A Modest Proposal similar to the attitudes toward the Epsilons in BNW?
4. The class conditioning that exists in BNW is very explicit. What are the more implicit kinds of class conditioning in our society?
5. Though Swift’s notion of “eating the poor” seems extreme and appalling, he says “I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children” (2). In what other aspects of society do we more metaphorically “devour the poor”?
Technology, Science, and Genetics
1. The author Michael Crichton has presented the thesis that science has been so involved in asking, “could we?” that it never stops to ask, “should we?” Should we? Consider that before the Wright brothers “invented” flight, many people believed that humans were not meant to fly, therefore, we shouldn’t’ explore that possibility.
2. How is using genetic engineering for medical purposes (to avoid cancer, let’s say) or physical purposes (choosing hair and eye color) different from the vaccines, organ transplants, plastic surgery, ACT prep courses, etc. that we engage in now?
3. So many books and films have been devoted to the idea of science as the ultimate destruction of human civilization. Is it possible that it will contribute to our ultimate enlightenment? (Or a possible utopia?)
4. What are the dangers in our increasingly technological society? How might the advancement of technology contribute to our already unequal society? How is this dealt with in Gattaca? BNW?
5. If genetic engineering or eugenics will ultimately contribute to less suffering and more enjoyment, why wouldn’t we want to proceed wholeheartedly with experimentation?
1. The author Michael Crichton has presented the thesis that science has been so involved in asking, “could we?” that it never stops to ask, “should we?” Should we? Consider that before the Wright brothers “invented” flight, many people believed that humans were not meant to fly, therefore, we shouldn’t’ explore that possibility.
2. How is using genetic engineering for medical purposes (to avoid cancer, let’s say) or physical purposes (choosing hair and eye color) different from the vaccines, organ transplants, plastic surgery, ACT prep courses, etc. that we engage in now?
3. So many books and films have been devoted to the idea of science as the ultimate destruction of human civilization. Is it possible that it will contribute to our ultimate enlightenment? (Or a possible utopia?)
4. What are the dangers in our increasingly technological society? How might the advancement of technology contribute to our already unequal society? How is this dealt with in Gattaca? BNW?
5. If genetic engineering or eugenics will ultimately contribute to less suffering and more enjoyment, why wouldn’t we want to proceed wholeheartedly with experimentation?
Shakespeare and Literature
1. How does Shakespeare directly contrast Ford? What do each of these men represent?
2. Go back to the text and find as many Shakespearean lines as you can. Some are imbedded in the text, especially when John the Savage thinks or speaks. Why Shakespeare?
3. Why are art and literature contrasted directly against science in Brave New World?
4. How did Shakespeare give John the Savage power?
5. The title of this novel comes from Shakespeare’s character Miranda, who exclaims, “O brave new world, that has such people in it” upon coming into contact with society after spending her whole life isolated on an island with only her father and his servants (brave meaning splendid in Shakespeare’s day). John the Savage quotes Miranda with excitement and anticipation, but later on his tone changes. How does it change? What does Brave New World come to mean for John?
1. How does Shakespeare directly contrast Ford? What do each of these men represent?
2. Go back to the text and find as many Shakespearean lines as you can. Some are imbedded in the text, especially when John the Savage thinks or speaks. Why Shakespeare?
3. Why are art and literature contrasted directly against science in Brave New World?
4. How did Shakespeare give John the Savage power?
5. The title of this novel comes from Shakespeare’s character Miranda, who exclaims, “O brave new world, that has such people in it” upon coming into contact with society after spending her whole life isolated on an island with only her father and his servants (brave meaning splendid in Shakespeare’s day). John the Savage quotes Miranda with excitement and anticipation, but later on his tone changes. How does it change? What does Brave New World come to mean for John?
Choice, Free-will, and Government
1. Respond to the concept of death conditioning in BNW (Ch. 14). Compare that to the way death is viewed in Gattaca. How might knowing an individual’s “expiration date” change his/her life? In BNW, people are kept in youthful condition and then die at the age of 60. How do these different societies view death? How is that a reflection of the values of the society as a whole?
2. At what point should the government intervene in the affairs of its citizens? Where is the line between a government looking out for its citizens and interfering in private matters? Give examples from society today to support your answer.
3. Describe the tension in Gattaca between human freedom and genetic destiny. How much control do/will our genes have in determining our individual and societal futures?
4. In BNW, individual choice is all but eliminated. Does this make for a better society? According to whom? According to what criteria?
1. Respond to the concept of death conditioning in BNW (Ch. 14). Compare that to the way death is viewed in Gattaca. How might knowing an individual’s “expiration date” change his/her life? In BNW, people are kept in youthful condition and then die at the age of 60. How do these different societies view death? How is that a reflection of the values of the society as a whole?
2. At what point should the government intervene in the affairs of its citizens? Where is the line between a government looking out for its citizens and interfering in private matters? Give examples from society today to support your answer.
3. Describe the tension in Gattaca between human freedom and genetic destiny. How much control do/will our genes have in determining our individual and societal futures?
4. In BNW, individual choice is all but eliminated. Does this make for a better society? According to whom? According to what criteria?
Consumerism
1. Do you think the extreme forms of mass production that Huxley touches on in BNW are truly possible? Give evidence from our society for your answer.
2. The Merchants of Cool argues that advertising has changed from sponsoring culture to becoming culture (e.g., Sprite sponsoring a concert as opposed to Sprite becoming a component of hip hop culture). What's the difference? What happens to culture when its purpose is sales rather than expression?
3. Many media observers have claimed that programs like Beverly Hills 90210, Dawson's Creek, or Gossip Girl are popular because they are reflective of teen life. In what ways are shows like the aforementioned reflective of how teenagers really live and in what ways are they distortions? Do these shows mirror the way you live?
4. Because they do so much research, media makers think they know a lot about you. Consider whether you agree with the following assertions from The Merchants of Cool: "Sex is a part of teens lives, so it better be in their media, too." "No teenager is going to be satisfied with a PG-13 rated horror film. They want to see blood and guts. That's what they want to do."
1. Do you think the extreme forms of mass production that Huxley touches on in BNW are truly possible? Give evidence from our society for your answer.
2. The Merchants of Cool argues that advertising has changed from sponsoring culture to becoming culture (e.g., Sprite sponsoring a concert as opposed to Sprite becoming a component of hip hop culture). What's the difference? What happens to culture when its purpose is sales rather than expression?
3. Many media observers have claimed that programs like Beverly Hills 90210, Dawson's Creek, or Gossip Girl are popular because they are reflective of teen life. In what ways are shows like the aforementioned reflective of how teenagers really live and in what ways are they distortions? Do these shows mirror the way you live?
4. Because they do so much research, media makers think they know a lot about you. Consider whether you agree with the following assertions from The Merchants of Cool: "Sex is a part of teens lives, so it better be in their media, too." "No teenager is going to be satisfied with a PG-13 rated horror film. They want to see blood and guts. That's what they want to do."
Culture and Consciousness
1. On page 232 in BNW Mustapha Mond explains that there is no need for religion if one is not afraid of death. What is his reasoning? Do you agree?
2. In Huxley’s foreword to BNW, he states that, “If I were now to rewrite the book, I would offer the Savage a third alternative. Between the utopian and the primitive horns of his dilemma would lie the possibility of sanity—a possibility already actualized, to some extent, in a community of exiles and refugees from the Brave New World, living within the borders of the Reservation” (ix). Describe in more detail what this third alternative could look like within the context of the novel.
3. As Huxley describes this third alternative, he states that the society would operate by the Final End Principle. See page x. What is the Final End Principle? Is it possible to truly operate in this fashion?
4. What makes people like Bernard and Helmholtz different from the others in BNW? What do you think triggers them to start thinking about their world in a different way?
5. Mustapha Mond chose to become a World Controller over going to an island of exiles with others like him. What factors did he have to consider in his choice? Do choices like this exist in our society/world? How does Mustapha Mond explain the origin of the World State?
6. What are the connection between the Bafa Bafa simulation we did earlier in the year to John’s experience in the World State, and the people of the World State’s experience in the Savage Reservation (or what they know about the history of the world)?
1. On page 232 in BNW Mustapha Mond explains that there is no need for religion if one is not afraid of death. What is his reasoning? Do you agree?
2. In Huxley’s foreword to BNW, he states that, “If I were now to rewrite the book, I would offer the Savage a third alternative. Between the utopian and the primitive horns of his dilemma would lie the possibility of sanity—a possibility already actualized, to some extent, in a community of exiles and refugees from the Brave New World, living within the borders of the Reservation” (ix). Describe in more detail what this third alternative could look like within the context of the novel.
3. As Huxley describes this third alternative, he states that the society would operate by the Final End Principle. See page x. What is the Final End Principle? Is it possible to truly operate in this fashion?
4. What makes people like Bernard and Helmholtz different from the others in BNW? What do you think triggers them to start thinking about their world in a different way?
5. Mustapha Mond chose to become a World Controller over going to an island of exiles with others like him. What factors did he have to consider in his choice? Do choices like this exist in our society/world? How does Mustapha Mond explain the origin of the World State?
6. What are the connection between the Bafa Bafa simulation we did earlier in the year to John’s experience in the World State, and the people of the World State’s experience in the Savage Reservation (or what they know about the history of the world)?
Satire, Utopia, and Dystopia
1. How do issues of social inequalities get resolved in BNW? Are they resolved? Is there an ideal way to eliminate inequality? Is it possible? Should we even try? What about Gattaca?
2. How do we know that Huxley intended BNW to be satirical? Jonathan Swift with A Modest Proposal?
3. If the goal of satire is ultimately to improve the conditions of the world, what kind of plausible solutions does Huxley offer his readers? Why did he choose to write in depth about a fictional dystopia—why not just get into the real criticisms and solutions right away?
4. Is there any benefit to imagining or striving for an actual utopia?
5. If BNW and Gattaca are to serve as predictors for the future (or warnings), what would you change about our world today if you could?
6. What are the common satirical targets in A Modest Proposal and BNW?
7. What kind of plausible solutions does Jonathan Swift offer his readers in A Modest Proposal? Why did he choose to write in depth about a fake proposal—why not just get into the real criticisms and solutions right away? How does this relate to Huxley’s commentary?
1. How do issues of social inequalities get resolved in BNW? Are they resolved? Is there an ideal way to eliminate inequality? Is it possible? Should we even try? What about Gattaca?
2. How do we know that Huxley intended BNW to be satirical? Jonathan Swift with A Modest Proposal?
3. If the goal of satire is ultimately to improve the conditions of the world, what kind of plausible solutions does Huxley offer his readers? Why did he choose to write in depth about a fictional dystopia—why not just get into the real criticisms and solutions right away?
4. Is there any benefit to imagining or striving for an actual utopia?
5. If BNW and Gattaca are to serve as predictors for the future (or warnings), what would you change about our world today if you could?
6. What are the common satirical targets in A Modest Proposal and BNW?
7. What kind of plausible solutions does Jonathan Swift offer his readers in A Modest Proposal? Why did he choose to write in depth about a fake proposal—why not just get into the real criticisms and solutions right away? How does this relate to Huxley’s commentary?
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