Brave New World: Imperfect Science

The world was in utter shambles when Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World. It was the middle of the depression, unemployment was high and the stock market low. It was the age of sterilizing the mentally ill, and the age of mass manufacturing by machines. Scientific progress was on the rise, and Henry Ford was considered a savior. Huxley's imaginary world of scientific perfection was far from perfect. The texture of his imaginary world is nearer to nightmare that to heaven on earth (Watts 72). In creating the prophecy, New World State, scientific evolution, in trying to create a superior society, is only as perfect as its' creator.

During the tour of the hatchery in the first few chapters of Huxley's book, we discover how the human race is being created through Ford's production line. Humans are created from a cold streak plate, grown like a potato plant in a fruit jar, and sent on down the assembly line. There is no motherly nurturing or parental attachment. These beings are put into categories. They are chemically altered. Alpha, beta, gamma and so on. Then they are simple decanted instead of born. A seemingly soulless child. Social engineering wipes out dreams and individual thoughts. Scientific dictatorship individuality is stamped out (Bowering 98). The very first thing a newborn needs is bonding with a mother figure. This sets in motion, security and love.

Through the controlled up bringing of these beings, they are subjected to countless conditioning. From being shocked by electrical apparatuses to hearing loud sirens and bells, they learn subconsciously what to like and dislike. Children learn to fear pleasures that have no function in a tightly planned world (Watts 77). This wipes out any capabilities of having your own thought of your own likes and dislikes. Specific personalities and individuality is lost. Incapable of expressing opinion or judgement (Watts 77). They are conditioned to believe that what they are is appropriate. They never think to strive to be any better. They grow up thinking that their genetic inheritance and social position are indeed ideal and are not capable of resentment of others (Watts 77).

As they start to mature from babies to school age, they are placed in a play yard nude to instill promiscuity. This is disturbing and morally unacceptable in today's society, but in the New World State, this is a method that is firmly believed in.