Technopoly is as Postmann describes it a society that is concerned more with efficiency over traditional beliefs. Very similar to Aldous Huxley's Brave New World which is concerned with efficiency over beliefs. Bernard allows Linda to abuse the soma drink because she is already old and is going to die soon from intoxication of the soma. He allows her to abuse the soma due to the fact that human beings should be used until they are worn out, and Bernard sees that Linda is completely used up. He then states that a sacrifice of one person is not a great loss because they have thousands of other babys that can take her place(Huxley). This portrays the similarity of Postmann's Technopoly with the fact of being more concerned with efficiency(how Linda can be replaced) over traditional beliefs and morals.
Frederick Taylor wrote a book called The Principles of Scientific Management which states that the "primary goal of human thought and labor is efficiency" (Postman 51). Taylor describes the human population of Brave New World that they are made with efficiency in mind and thus will make minimal errors. Minimal being a key word because there is still a "human" feeling deep down inside that could create errors. The Director, Bernard, and Helmholtz all share this characteristic. The Director with his feelings of Linda; Bernard with his want to be in a relationship with Lenina; Helmholtz who wants to create something with Shakespeare's work without breaking any of the World State's laws. But according to Frederick Taylor even human machines won't be enough to fully establish efficiency for there is still a human element and therefore "...technical calculation...is superior to human judgment...because it is plagued by laxity,ambiguity, and unnecessary complexity" (Postman 51). This short chapter of Technopoly shows many similarities with Huxley's Brave New World.
No comments:
Post a Comment