Those Barren Leaves

I'm working my way through another one of Aldous Huxley's books called Those Barren Leaves. It's already turning out to be a great book; about a rich lady living in an old mansion in Italy. I love how he always weaves his philosophies into his stories! This book was first published in 1925! Here is an excerpt from it that made me chuckle.

"For those who cannot dispense with formularies and fixed prayers, I recommend this little catechism, to be read through in the office hours whenever time hangs a little heavy.
Q. Why am i working here?
A. In order that Jewish stockbrokers may exchange their Rovers for Armstrong-Siddeleys, buy the latest jazz records and spend the week-end at Brighton.
Q. Why do I go on working here?
A. In the hope that I too may some day be able to spend the week-end at Brighton
Q. What is progress?
A. Progress is stockbrokers, more stockbrokers and still more stockbrokers.
Q. What is the aim of social reformers?
A. The aim of social reformers is to create a state in which every individual enjoys the greatest possible amount of freedom and leisure.
Q. What will the citizens of this reformed state do with their freedom and leisure?
A. They will do, presumably, what the stockbrokers do with these things to-day, e.g. spend the week-end at Brighton, ride rapidly in motor vehicles and go to the theatre.
Q. On what condition can I live a life of contentment?
A. On the condition that you do not think.
Q. What is the function of newspapers, radios, cinemas, motor-bikes, jazz bands, etc?
A. The function of these things is the prevention of thought and the killing of time. They are the most powerful instruments of human happiness.
Q. What did Buddha consider the most deadly of the deadly sins?
A. Unawareness, Stupidity.
Q. And what will happen if I make my self aware, if I actually begin to think?
A. Your swivel chair will turn into a trolley on the mountain railway, the office floor will gracefully slide away from beneath you and you will find yourself launched into the abyss."


It goes on, but I think that quote really captures a problem with society that was obviously prevalent enough 85 years ago that Aldous would comment on it in one of his books and is still 100% relevant today!!

Ultrasound Parallel

Here is a parallel I thought of to describe the effects of the vibrations caused by Ultrasounds onto the developing fetal brain..... It's like Intel continuing it's delicate production of it's newest Pentium Processors through a earthquake....


heh