Brave New World posts many different unconventional things that raise arguement. In Sir Robinson's video, he explained different ways learning and thinking have evolved over the years. My favorite point from the video was that ADHD was an epidemic, starting in Oklahoma and getting to its worst level by Washington DC. Come on now people, really???? How could this even remotely be an epidemic? The use of Ritalin and other ADD drugs are similar to the soma in Brave New World. When Lenina was speaking, or rather listening to the Warden, she, "swallowed half a gramme of soma, with the result that she could now sit, serenely not listening, thinking of nothing at all," (Huxley 101). It is as if she can just pop pills to make everything better. This is exactly what society is thinking about ADD drugs. They will make the world happier. WRONG!!! It only hinders progress. People cannot be themselves and therefore not learn their way.
Also, although it may not be a text*, the use of conditioning society is present today. For example, Buchanan high school athletics. At yesterday's cross country league meet, the bears (eeewww) swept every race. It is obvious that those children were born in a factory as alphas and betas conditioned to win evertything they participate in. These "people" are almost robotic in that they can go out and dominate their society. From birth, these children have been hearing repetitive sayings; "beat clovis," "clovis is your enemy, " and who is to blame them. We are awesome and able to dominate, but their initial conditioning makes it difficult. arggghhh
*the results from the race are availiable upon request. :)
