Saturday, February 21, 2009

What Did You Think?

What did you think of the book Brave New World? Did you like the ending, yes or no? If not what would you have done differently if you were the author? Do you think that the ending the author choose completed the novel?

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Brave New World and Gattaca

We can see some similarities and differences between the world in Gattaca and Brave New World. The ability to modify the genetic makeup of a baby and the different castes. Since Gattaca supposedly takes place in the not too distant future. Could the events in Gattaca help change the world into the society we see in Brave New World. Pretty much could Gattaca be a prequel to Brave New World.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Utopia or Eutopia

The word Utopia derives from the Greek words ou ("not") and topos ("place") and simply means "not a place." Throughout history, there has been countries founded as an Utopia. In history, civilizations that try to achieve a communitarian lifestyle generally disinigrate or end in a repressive rule. The utopian Soviet Union is an example of how Utopia's turn into a repressive rule before falling apart.
Contrasting from a Utopia is a Eutopia, which is Greek for a "good place", and is attainable in the real world. The organizational structure (country, kingdom, etc...) that creates the eutopia consists of a limited government that permits human creativity and achievement. Individual self-interest is not considered a bad thing, because it expresses itself in relationships of mutual benefit that result in productivity and the generation of wealth. Wealth and happiness does not have to be forced in a Eutopia.
Is the Brave New World a Utopia or a Eutopia?

If you are interested in reading more about the difference between a Utopia and a Eutopia, the following link is to a .pdf document that is very informative. Utopia verses Eutopia

Social Caste

Every civilization in history has had a social caste. In the Brave New World, there is five social classes--Alpha, Beta, Delta, Epsilon, and Gamma. Which of these classes would you be in?

I think that we would be considered Beta's. The majority of us are not the super-rich, but we are also not poor. The majority of us are being "bred" to succeed in the world due to the schools we have gone too. This is similar to how the Alpha's and Beta's were bred on the assembly line.