BRAVE NEW WORLD

The classic novel. Hrmph. I've never been required to read it, but found it among my purchases, so I did. Interesting indeed. I think I was distracted and therefore didn't get a lot of what Huxley is trying to say. The discussion between the Savage and the World Controller, however, is ingenious and vitally important to today's society, I think.

"What's the point of truth or beauty or knowledge when the anthrax bombs are popping all around you?" Certainly in our time this is perhaps more relevant than Huxley imagined--but, it makes you stop. The point is that it is LIFE. Truth and beauty and knowledge ARE important, I think, for the sake of themselves. Without them, all one can see is the terror. We cannot live our lives in fear.

"In a properly organized society like ours, nobody has any opportunities for being noble or heroic." Wow. I'm not even sure really what to say. In OUR society, there is plenty of opportunity, then, for being noble and heroic. There are many problems with society that allow us to step in and take charge. Perhaps it is truth and beauty and knowledge that condition US to be brave and noble and heroic. I don't know. I'm probably just spouting nonsense.

Anyway, a good read. I'd like to go back and read it again. And pay more attention. I bet I'd have some different and more valuable opinions then.