How much would you be willing to sacrifice to actually live? Options

[Mistress Bags]

First of all, a few of you may know my rather bitter and overly negative view of society, and if you do not, you will now. With that said, I do value my individuality even more because of its rarity in this society I'm so cynical about.

If you liked The Giver and Fahrenheit 451, this book that inspired this topic will thrill you. It's called Uglies (by Scott Westerfield). Last time when I read a book like this (The Giver), I immediately scrambled to all my forums to discuss it. Well, it's been a while, so new people... new opinions?

Uglies is a story about our world three centuries from now. At one point, we nearly destroyed each other in war, conflicts, politics; and we ruined our earth, made animals extinct by our folly, and used up nearly all our resources. The story is about how as a solution for our stupidity, our world became something like a utopian society. Everything is given to you, and nobody questions anything. You learn and lead a life normal to ours up until your sixteenth birthday, when then you'll be transformed by surgery into society's idea of what is beautiful. Once you're beautiful, you live in a part of town that is seperated from the "uglies," as they refer to the younger people, so naturally flawed. Once you're turned pretty, you party, have fun, and look beautiful. You don't learn, you don't think, you don't work-- you just live. You're very shallow, since this is a world where everything is beautiful. The ironic thing is, that description sounds an awful lot like the majority of today's society, does it not? Anyhow, one of the girls who is about to be 16 and turned pretty realizes that she loves herself how she is, so she runs away to be free and to be herself. The girl's best friend, Tally, who is also about to turn 16, doesn't want her friend to go, but does nothing about it and continues waiting until she could at last be turned pretty. The day she's supposed to be turned pretty, she discovers a nasty part of society that she never knew before. There's a committee who runs everything about society. They know everything about everybody... down to every last secret. They watch your every move. Well, they confront Tally about her friend, telling her to go find her, while threatening her to not turn pretty. Tally leaves, and find much more than just her friend... a secret about her not-so-perfect society. The group that Tally's friend ran away to wasn't just some random people gathering. It was, in fact, something started by two doctors who have all the secrets about turning pretty: when you're turned pretty, they not only change your appearance, but brainwash you to being a mindless drone of society.

Not to ruin much more of the book, I'd like to discuss this with you guys. The concept of a utopian society like this has its ups and downs. In one strike, it takes away greed, lust, poverty, murder, diseases, hunger, war, disputes-- basically, everything bad. Yet, it also strips you of your freedom of your individuality. All the people brainwashed don't know they're brainwashed, so of course, they're happy as can be... they know no better. Would this be a better way to live? Or would you rather continue as we are, and end up making ourselves extinct, just so the very few people who are actually unique can still have the ability to think for themselves?
How much would you be willing to sacrifice to actually live?

[*Zatanna*]

First off- in answering the question:

Or would you rather continue as we are, and end up making ourselves extinct, just so the very few people who are actually unique can still have the ability to think for themselves?

the answer is yes.

One very trivial example I've had recently (within the last couple of days) is discovering that my son has to wear a uniform at school. Yes, I'm aware that many students around the world have to as well, but I fear for his identity. I really, truly do. Some say that they (the school administrators) make this decision so that those in lesser financial situations will not have to feel like they have to measure up, or that their children will feel out of place if they cannot afford expensive clothing. While this may true, I remember how fun it was to dress for school when I was child. I vividly recall how cool I felt when I wore rubber bracelets and fingerless white lace gloves as I tried my best to be as provocative as Madonna. (I'm an 80's kid) It made me feel like I stood out to an extent and it was easier for me to recognize those who may share the same interests. Again, I know this is a very trivial example.

The idea of a Utopian society is obviously not one that is new. Even Hitler had his own idea of an Utopian society. But just as I heartily disagree with him, I disagree with anyone who feels that if we all stood up, dressed the same, had the same religion, etc we would have better lives.. Diversity is natural and by unifying everying, the natural way of things is diminished.

Let's just say that the original version of "Stepford Wives" freaked me out to no end.

And yes, Kathleen - I remember Jasmine and that season very much resonates with this school of though. Sure, there was peace, hell even Angel smiled (and SANG!). But to what cost? Brainwashing?

No.