Scotty Hendricks

Dear Mr. Huxley,
November 5, 2007 (Year 60AF)

I read your book, A Brave New World. To me it was terrifying. It may have been written in the 1930's and predicted a far future, but the world of the book is frighteningly like the world of today.

The book moved me Mr. Huxley. I feel that this future would suit many people. With the way that peer pressure in school is, the odds of people becoming all the same, by choice or by design, is very likely. I try to stand out and be different, but that gets harder to do. Being different is great in my mind, but is almost scorned by some people. The world that I live in has a slow movement towards the future you described every day. The idea of selective breeding is getting back in the newspapers, as new technology is available that allows parents to "design" their children before birth. In mere years the idea of the "baby assembly line" will be possible. Sadly, I will probably design my kid, if possible.
 
The people in the book also remind me of people I know. Bernard reminds me of my friend, wanting to be an independent person but then falling back into the population. Helmholtz is the character that I feel I am like. I would (if in his situation) rather go to an island, think for myself, and rot than live in comfort in your dystopic society. I also feel that I am intelligent and would have thought out the option of going; I also love to write as he does. Many people remind me of Mustapha Mound, as they say one thing and believe another.

The thing in your book that also seemed eerie was the addiction to drugs. Today the idea of using recreational drugs is discouraged, but there is a lot of drug use. The thought of a drug with "all of the positives of Christianity and alcohol, with none of the vices" would be loved by people today. People love Christianity and alcohol (especially the part about alcohol). While I do not consider recreational drugs for use at all, that is probably because of anti-drug "propaganda" that resembles your conditioning.

The book also made me think about the power of intelligence. Once again, in our world the two things, peer pressure and the advantages of intellect, fight for power. In my school alone it is seen as more socially acceptable to be a dunce and athletic, than smart and not athletic. The page where Helmholtz leaves and Bernard begs to stay are where things are the same again, those that sacrifice the most to fit in never find out the other options. I am a good runner, but am in the minority that tries to act and think different. While I am not a “square peg” I do see obvious differences.

The most moving part of the book was the end. To me it was a shock and yet was completely predictable when thought over. The world that you made was a hellish nightmare! The way that you described the world brought to mind a quote by Tomas Jefferson:  "Any that wish to be ignorant and free, wish for what never was, and never will be!"  The two of you were right. I
know I will never try for that quote to be real. I will always try to interpret your everlasting warning to keep us free and smart, and to make sure what we love never enslaves us.

As you said,
All’s well that ends Wells,
Scotty Hendricks