This is a fascinating science fiction novel of a futuristic society, and I was wondering if anyone here read it. I would like to discuss the society it presents if anyone has read it.
If you haven't, here's a short summary:
The future is consists of a strict caste system, where laborers are on the bottom and intellects are on the top. Promiscuity is strongly encouraged because happiness is the highest priority. Research is limited and consumerism is another high priority, which creates an extremely stable economy. A near perfect drug has been created called 'soma', which has very few side effects and keeps all of the people happy. The government actually supports using this drug in rationed amounts because it keeps the people content and not rebellious.
Now for the interesting part- normal reproduction has become obsolete and people are now 'manufactured' in a controlled manner, which eliminates overpopulation, unemployment, and hunger. Government has complete control over this process, so stability is mantained. People are also conditioned to do their job and to conform to society through a treatment known as hypnopeadia, which is repetitively telling people what to do while they are sleeping.
Hopefully this gives you a rough idea of what the novel is about, I would like to hear your opinions on this society.
If you haven't, here's a short summary:
The future is consists of a strict caste system, where laborers are on the bottom and intellects are on the top. Promiscuity is strongly encouraged because happiness is the highest priority. Research is limited and consumerism is another high priority, which creates an extremely stable economy. A near perfect drug has been created called 'soma', which has very few side effects and keeps all of the people happy. The government actually supports using this drug in rationed amounts because it keeps the people content and not rebellious.
Now for the interesting part- normal reproduction has become obsolete and people are now 'manufactured' in a controlled manner, which eliminates overpopulation, unemployment, and hunger. Government has complete control over this process, so stability is mantained. People are also conditioned to do their job and to conform to society through a treatment known as hypnopeadia, which is repetitively telling people what to do while they are sleeping.
Hopefully this gives you a rough idea of what the novel is about, I would like to hear your opinions on this society.
.. the idea is that the society is controlling you through the drug and stealing free will... and Tass, how can you not liek the utopia type novels? They define one of the most important sections in classical literature (Plato's REpublic, PLato's timmeaus and Criteus, Erastophanes' The Birds, THomas More's Utopia, etcetera) Anyways, go read 1984, you'll enjoy it slimshady if you can grasp the concepts they're going for.
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