Recently, I finished reading Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, and soma has been on my mind lately. In the fictional utopia, the purpose of soma is to control society. The product is distributed daily to all parts of society even Epsilons, allowing the government to keep people calm and happy by distracting them from the unhappiness in life. The soma paired with the conditioning of society forces people to conform to society and exhibit the society's motto- "Community, Identity, Stability".
Although something soma-like has not been invented yet, alcohol and drugs play a similar role in today's society because they cause happiness. The difference between soma and alcohol is that soma only results in happiness; on the other hand, the consumption of alcohol results in happiness as well as consequences like hangovers and other conditions that affect the body. Drugs such as tobacco and marijuana also result in various health problems such as lung disease and cancer. Another difference is the government's role in these products. In Brave New World, the government regularly distributes soma and encourages its consumption. In reality, the use of alcohol and drugs is discouraged by the government, and some drugs are even banned due to their effects on the environment and health of society. Also, soma enforces people to conform to society while alcohol and drugs seem to promote individualism.
The purpose of soma, alcohol, and drugs is to create happiness. Although alcohol and drugs cause various health problems and addiction, people continue to invest in these products in order to achieve happiness in life. With this in mind, would people prefer soma, alcohol, or drugs in the future? Is there some alternative? Should happiness be the most important value of society? If society continues to value happiness, we may turn to soma and embody the utopia of Brave New World.
Although something soma-like has not been invented yet, alcohol and drugs play a similar role in today's society because they cause happiness. The difference between soma and alcohol is that soma only results in happiness; on the other hand, the consumption of alcohol results in happiness as well as consequences like hangovers and other conditions that affect the body. Drugs such as tobacco and marijuana also result in various health problems such as lung disease and cancer. Another difference is the government's role in these products. In Brave New World, the government regularly distributes soma and encourages its consumption. In reality, the use of alcohol and drugs is discouraged by the government, and some drugs are even banned due to their effects on the environment and health of society. Also, soma enforces people to conform to society while alcohol and drugs seem to promote individualism.
The purpose of soma, alcohol, and drugs is to create happiness. Although alcohol and drugs cause various health problems and addiction, people continue to invest in these products in order to achieve happiness in life. With this in mind, would people prefer soma, alcohol, or drugs in the future? Is there some alternative? Should happiness be the most important value of society? If society continues to value happiness, we may turn to soma and embody the utopia of Brave New World.
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