If there is one thing that Brave New World makes me think about above anything else, it would be happiness. In BNW, happiness is present but at the cost of truth, science, and art. Personally I would never want to live a life that is a lie, being made happy by things that bring only momentary enjoyment. John says "I'd rather be unhappy than have the sort of false, lying happiness you were having here." I agree with him. If I must blind myself to be happy, I'd much rather be unhappy. Ofcourse that is not everyone's opinion.
"What's yours?"
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Happiness always lies in the present, the HAPPening (like HAPPiness). Im happy when I'm with my girlfriend, I'm happy when I'm having a good time with my family and friends, I'm happy when I watch my favorite show and when I'm playing video games.
ReplyDeleteHappiness is fleeting, it comes and goes, it will never stay forever, which to some is a rather depressing thought, but I don't live life to be happy all the time, so I'm ok with that.
I have much more I'd love to share on this topic, but I wanted set the basis for what I think just to get this post rolling.
But Bernie, the things you stated in your comment, such as being with your girlfriend, having a good time with family and friends, and playing video games can classify as what you said, "momentary enjoyment". Happiness occurs on the individual level, and thus everyone in BNW becomes happy in their own special way, whether it be watching the 'feelies', taking soma, or playing obstical golf.
ReplyDeleteThe first part of your statement says, "happiness is present but at the cost of truth, science, and art.", but not really. Each of these are defined and exemplified by the individual. Some believe that ignorance is bliss, or religion over-rules science, and even art is a reflection of past happiness, not present feelings. Happiness is possible without these factors and for the majority of BNW is working pretty well.
... sorry Bernie. :/
I understand the things I stated are momentary enjoyments, and that's why I listed them. When I stated that truth, science and art are incompatible with happiness in BNW, I got that from the text itself; I'm not saying that in our present world happiness is incompatible, just in BNW. Actually, to be honest, as far as I read, your statements parallel my though process completely; Im not sure where the incogruity lies between them.
ReplyDeleteBtw, my opinion is subject to change. =)
ReplyDeleteI just relised the same thing Bernie... Sorry for the pointless rambling then. ;)
ReplyDeleteok so i understand what you guys are saying, and what i'm geting is that you guys rather be unhappy then live a lie, and be happy.
ReplyDeleteto me though i might just be randamly ranting on what you guys already said is that in a way i would rather be happy and lied to then be unhappy and know all the lies.
i understand why the characters in the book take soma, to get away from every thing, and in its way its also a reflection on what society does today, they all take a drug and preffer to not see all the lies and be unhappy, because in the end all we ever want is to BE happy.
knowing all i know today and of how unfar life is, i wouldnt mind to be ignorant and blissful.
Post too soon, but not complaining. Monday, this topic about artificial happiness will be discussed in class, so I don't got much to say here.... Actually, I do. Bernie when you quoted John, I remembered the Soma and how it creates the false happiness that John is talking about. It is not new but it presents the same issues we have today about addictions, not just drug addictions, but any addictions that provide escape and direct ratification and satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteI both agree and disagree with your statement Bernie because "rational me" thinks that I rather be unhappy with the truth but irrational and "emotional me" would much rather escape the truth. At the moment, life isn't so great & I have been trying to artificially make the pain more bearable. Emotions that completely consume us are the targets of medication today like anti-depressants, etc, however, I would like to be able to be ideally happy without the aid of supplements.
ReplyDeleteThis may just be a rhetorical question, since there are only subjective answers. I like the pondering that is happening, though. It makes us think about what we truly value in life.
ReplyDeleteI have trouble saying yes or no to Bave New World's society. I admitt, being a science expiriment as far as controlled conditioning and created in pitri dishes is a terrifying thought. To think that humans have the capability to do something with the proper technonlogy is extrodinary. Humans CAN create a perfect world with few worries in each individual. I would love for that perfect world to exist, but at the cost of all the things we treasure today? Absolutley not. Giving up my music, art, and books today would be murder on me.
ReplyDeleteIts strange though, to think that thoes things have the possibility to influence depression anger, jealousy, apathy and whatnot. But what would we be like if we didnt have them... I cant picture myself any other way than I am now, especially living like everyone in BNW's society.
But I would rather live my life in this time where there is a possibility of uncirtianty; where some things are unpredictable and thats how it should be.
It is easy to give up something that one never had. Whether it be religion, music, art, or even social interaction, these are all concepts and objects that we are exposed to from a young age and only draw a dependence from these because of this exposure. So in a way, we all have been conditioned. Not saying I find happiness in a lie, but no matter what there are lies out there in which I personally cannot control. Technically, our modern society is not far off from that of BNW. The only difference is that in BNW everyone has Helicopters, soma, and electromagnetic golf.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ms. Hill on this. Most of the comments are subjective, making us think of what we value in life and if we would rather have "this" or "that" and be "this" or "that". This type of post makes us cognate and process out past choices, experiences and has us decide what we value and what will grant us that temporary happiness.
ReplyDeleteHappiness will always be subjective. Happiness will not always stay. In order to have that balance in our lives we all must have the fluctuation of emotions.
To me, the downfall in Brave New World is the pressured happiness and the pressured ignorance. No matter how hard the characters tried to make that unhappiness go away, Soma was always the answer. - Relating to today, when some are unhappy they always turn to anything as an escape.- Even though they had the drug to escape those negative feelings.
As to the ignorance, I don't want to be ignorant and blissful, because all of those who are in bliss sooner or later end up breaking that layer. As our lives go on and move forward, we as human beings continue learning and experiencing. Which is the beauty of it. I hate so many things about my past, I look upon myself with repugnance sometimes but, I would never trade that for ignorance. Ignorance may be bliss but it will only be for a moment. No matter who you are, that bliss will go away. Whether it's later in their life or sooner.
We learned were exposed to such knowledge an experiences much earlier than most but, no matter how hard one tries happiness will never be for ever.
http://harvardmagazine.com/2007/01/the-science-of-happiness.html - This article is from a psychologist at Harvard University.
"he behaviorists who followed developed a model of human life that seemed to many mechanistic if not robotic: humans were passive beings mercilessly shaped by the stimuli and the contingent rewards and punishments that surrounded them." I found this article interesting and it gave me some more information on happiness.
Curse you Crystal and your ability to bring logic to the argument! Just kidding. Well done Crystal.
ReplyDeletethank you crystal you just gave me a big idea to add to my senior thesis.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, well John and Sara... you're welcome. I'm guessing there is no more argument?
ReplyDelete