Ersatz Happiness Issues - Essay Example

?Ersatz Happiness In the “Brave New World”, Aldous Huxley depicts a dystopian society. Several elements of his work reflect the current issues of hisworld as well as the concerns of the 21st century. In this new world, “Soma” is an indispensable drug which took 2000 scientists and six years to perfect. It soothes as well as enlivens without unpleasant secondary effects. To produce an ideal society, people should be void of harrowing emotions. Soma plays a significant role in maintaining a secure humanity by making certain that individuals do not feel and yearn for something better. However, this kind of euphoria is clearly false and robs a person’s right to a substantial life. The different characters in the story also portray hints that being in the new world is not really satisfactory. In the same sense, all the other methods that the Utopians have such as the “feelies” in order to have a “happy” life are blemished. The feelies is a kind of a movie theater that is supposed to be the main source of entertainment. In this cinema, the senses are falsely generated. Thus, Utopian’s ersatz happiness equates to a meaningless existence. The author, Huxley, cautions his readers against scientific utopianism. Though his novel was published in 1932, the principles that may be derived from his work are still quite applicable today. Unlike the contemporary utopian novels of his time such as “A Modern Utopia” by H.G. Wells, he sought to picture a pessimistic future. This may be influenced by the industrial revolution that was quite apparent in the 20th century. There were also particular companies that advocated advancements concerning science and technology such as Imperial Chemical Companies (ICI). In its prime, it was known as the “biggest chemical group in the UK” (Bawden 1). This may have influenced Huxley’s portrayal of pharmacological achievements. Moreover, it is interesting to note that several of the main characters are similar with distinguished individuals in Huxley’s time. For instance, Polly Trotsky is similar with Leon Trotsky, Henry Foster is comparable with Henry Ford, and Joanne Diesel equals Rudolf Diesel. Huxley lived in a period that survived the brutal effects of war such as The Great Depression. It is imaginable that the people at this generation dreamt of a flawless existence. A number of them could have viewed cutting-edge science as a savior. In addition, due to the unemployment at that time, the use of marijuana was introduced by Mexican immigrants (Monroy 27). Some people used this psychoactive drug to escape reality and experience a moment of elation. This is somehow parallel with Soma which was used to annihilate negative moods. In the story, there are indications that the Utopians felt that something was missing in their existence. They have occasional inklings of dissatisfaction. “Happiness is not a static state. Even the happiest of people- the cheeriest 10% -feel blue at times” (Wallis 2). There is a need to experience painful emotion to truly feel happiness. It is the healthy combination of negative and positive emotion that helps people to make a sense of reality. Without feeling low, it is difficult to realize the opposite. Hence, the people in the new world did not really have euphoria in the real sense. The difference between the so called perfect world and that of the outside is portrayed when the difference between the Savage Reservation and the new world was described. This is especially noticeable in John who was known as “the savage”. He spent his early childhood in the Reservation and was brought to Utopia. Indeed, he did not have the culture that denotes a very stable society. However, he still possessed quite humane characteristics such as truthfulness as well as benevolence. Comparably, people who are genuinely happy have more positive attributes. “Kindness might create a virtuous cycle that promotes lasting happiness and altruism” (Dixon, “Kindness Makes You Happy and Happiness Makes You Kind). According to the experiments conducted by the researchers at Harvard Business School and the University of British Columbia, individuals largely felt happier when they were asked to remember a time when they bought something for others. This implies that it is human nature to feel better after a selfless act. John’s mother, Linda is obese and alcoholic. As what can be inferred from her situation, she felt quite depressed. She then took Soma to be able to feel happier. Nonetheless, she eventually had so much that it was the cause of her own death. This is an ironic illustration that the supposedly source of happiness can be the source of an end to one’s life. In addition, one cannot be truly happy if he denies the unpleasantness of reality. Psychologically, the effect of the soma is likened to that of a defense mechanism called denial. It is a method used to protect the ego from being hurt (Blackman 11). It entails refusal of accepting that something has or is actually happening. This is often used by drug addicts as well as alcoholics like Linda. Through denial, they can forget their problems but only for some time. In the same way, the Soma acts like a temporary shield against human frailties. One needs to take more and more of it as something painful occurs. Though it can momentarily lead to happiness, it does not essentially provide solutions. Soma also represents the superficial factors that make people falsely think would make them happy. Most envision golden mansions and overflowing money as manifestations of satisfaction. Though riches can help in keeping the mind off regrets, it is not enough to sustain a meaningful life. Dr. Shaw is the one who supplied Linda with Soma. He gave her the drug so she can deal with her negative emotions. Like the others, she is made to believe that “One cubic centimetre cures ten gloomy sentiments"(Huxley Brave New World 53). The drug is depicted as the all and be all of remedies. Nowadays, many people put their complete trust on several specialists. For instance, a number of those who are depressed may view psychologists or psychiatrists as saviors. They may think that by having numerous sessions with these experts, they can acquire a blissful life. Nevertheless, progress always starts from within. No method or pill can truly work without the concerned person’s persistence. Taking charge of one’s life results to more pleasurable experiences since there is an awareness that one can do something to affect his future. Utopians obtain rations of soma according to their social classes. Those in the higher classes receive more whereas those in the lower levels have less. This is similar with what many presume that people with fame and riches are ought to be happy. Indeed, success may be defined by a high social standing but it does not necessarily equate to happiness. However, true bliss is not dependent on external conditions. This is backed up by the poll that was conducted by Harris Interactive on 2, 184 Americans. The results show that those in the lower classes have more instances of being happy as compared to the other social classes (Bradford, “Low Income Americans More Often Very Happy Than Middle Class: Poll”). Happiness is a mental state that often results from profound connections with others. Power, fame, and money cannot guarantee genuine relationships. In chapter 7, Lenina accompanied Bernard to the Savage Reservation. She was traumatized by what she saw. She was so terrorized that she needed some Soma. However, she forgot her supply. This made her more aware of her emotions. This situation is similar to that of a drug addict going through withdrawal symptoms before being ultimately free from the drug’s influence. In the same vein, people need to face the negative past that haunts them in order to be free from despair. Lenina needed to be liberated from the drug’s shackles so as to come face to face with her raw identity. Likewise, acceptance is a key to contentment. One must first have a clear understanding of who he is as a human being. Afterwards, the joy that results from loving one’s raw individuality can be experienced. Most people derive entertainment from watching movies. For the Utopians, they go to the feelies for leisure. Instead of having feelings as caused by the movie plot, the people absorb fabricated emotions. These absorbed sensations make them passive and uncritical of their world. The feelies were designed to promote a stable society by preventing Utopians from forming radical opinions that may be aroused by movies. In comparison to the current society, the advancement of technology has greatly influenced people’s sources of entertainment. Conversely, a number of these gadgets essentially dampen creativity. For instance, there have been advocacies that children should not watch television since it decreases their ability to have maximum learning. For example, before computer games and Nintendo Wiis were quite customary, children made use of their exemplary imagination. Their utilization of card board boxes, sticks, and other raw materials developed their sense of cause and effect. In relation to creativity, happiness may be consequential of being able to conceive something innovative. It is undeniably exciting to be able to fashion a craft or an idea. If one is deprived of creativity, he could not go through the enthusiasm and value of a discovery. It is about becoming human in the most real sense that happiness can be achievable. However, with all the fallaciousness in the Utopian world, sincere happiness is simply inconceivable. The society that was supposed to be faultless was actually grounded on falseness. Thus, the Utopians were robbed of their natural right to taste life as it is. The end result is a day to day occurrence of insignificance. Works Cited Bawden, Tom. “ICI Eases Debt Fears as Profits Rise by 12%”. The Times. 1 Nov. 2002. Web. 14 May 2012. Bradford, Harry. “Low Income Americans More Often Very Happy Than Middle Class: Poll”. The Hufftington Post. 22 Aug. 2011. Web. 15 May 2012. Blackman, Jerome. 101 Defenses: How The Mind Shields Itself. New York: Brunner-Routledge. 2004. Print. Dixon, Alex. “Kindness Makes You Happy and Happiness Makes You Kind.” Greater Good. The Greater Good Science Center, 6 Sept. 2011. Web. 15 May 2012. Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1946. Print. Monroy, Douglas. Rebirth: Mexican Los Angeles From The Great Migration to The Great Depression. Los Angeles: University of California Press, Ltd., 1999. Print. Wallis, Claudia. “The New Science of Happiness.” Time. Time Magazine U.S., 9 Jan. 2005. Web. 14 May 2012. Read More