Thursday, February 26, 2009

Brave New World: Is It Really So Bad?

You will need to post your response to the following question during class today (2/26/09). Your response should be at least 250 words. Points will be deducted if your response is too short.

One of the most difficult questions to answer about this book is why all of this is so very bad. Many people have described Huxley’s vision of the future as “horrifying.” However, the fact remains that everyone in the society is really happy, really content, really without war, or pain, or suffering. So what’s so bad about it, “really”? It’s often an easy answer to feel but a difficult one to verbalize. Respond to this issue. If you want to say it’s not so bad, and you really mean it, that is all right, too. Just be specific and thoughtful.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Brave New World: Predicting the Future

You will need to post your response to the following question during class today (2/20/09). Your response should be at least 250 words. Yes, points will be deducted if your response is too short.

Obviously, none of Huxley’s predictions have come true exactly. For that matter, none of The Jetson’s or Back to the Future’s predictions have come true exactly. Predicting the future is a tricky business, whether done seriously or in jest. However, there are elements of truth in Huxley’s vision of the world. Discuss some of these. Which aspects of Brave New World’s society seemed most relevant in 2009? Which most far-fetched? Why?