Huxley's vision of manufacturing (from people to helicopters) is from the past. The modern process of manufacturing is nothing like Huxley's vision, which is reminiscent of nineteenth century England. All operations were carried out by people "decanted" expressly for the purpose of the job they carried out. "Thrity-three Delta females, long-headed, sandy, with narrow pelvises, all within 20 millimeters of 1 metre 69 centimetres tall, were cutting screws" is just one example out of the groups working at the factory visited by John Savage (147). In a modern plant, robots dominate manufacturing rather than people. For the remaining people that work in a manufacturing plant, unions and state and federal governments regulate the process and add checks on employers.
Some of Huxley's attitudes are also dated. The consequence of separating sex from procreation has not resulted in the inability of people to connect in an emotionally fulfilling manner and has not resulted in emotional infantilism. Rampant promiscuity (at least perhaps what Huxley would consider rampant promiscuity) has not shaken the foundations of society to a point where it can no longer function.
In addition to these dated visions and attitudes, Huxley is condescending to his audience (Hitchens points this out in his forward of the 2010 edition). There is evidence of this attitude in Huxley's descriptions of activities and culture his denizens of London can access, such as Obstacle Golf, sexophones, synthetic music, and feelies, all of which are contrived to disgust and disconcert the reader ever so slightly.
Despite these limitations, Huxley's Brave New World still has a vestige of relevance to society. Mustapha Mond points out that people can be conditions to accept anything (211). People will accept anything they consider "normal," whether it is healthy or not; whether "normal" provides potential for all members of society to self-actualise, or not; whether it provides individuals with the freedom to choose their own path in life, or not. That is why it is important to listen to those moments when "normal" makes us uncomfortable and to question everything.
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| Huxley: Looks as Grumpy as he Writes (guardian.co.uk) |
I agree with some of the points you made in this post. First the manufacturing, ours is filled with machines and robots to minimalize the number of workers in the factories. I feel that this takes away from the people of the country, but is done to keep up with a capitalistic world. In a way, we might have progressed further than what Huxley could imagine. Secondly, the point about Huxley being condescending to his audience. I had not really realized it, but I was slightly disgusted by the feelies, orgies, and obsession with obstacle golf. But now that you've brought to my attention it makes total sense!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if humans always have to be "conditioned" to accept something. Humans are excellent adaptors, and I'm not sure that's always a bad thing. Being able to make the most out a bad situation is good. Being brainwashed, not so much.
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