Technology In Ayn Rand's Anthem

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Ayn Rand’s Anthem clearly depicts a dystopian backdrop. Technology is archaic and utterly basic unlike the typical beliefs of the future. Controlled by the Council, innovation has halted, and the society has attempted to regulate those who try to alter this lethargic modernization. The Council fails to regulate the mindset of Equality 7-2521; the primitive technology does not stop him. It is shown that the progression of technology does not occur through tangible objects but through the presence of knowledge, freedom, and bravery. Born with a societal curse to be hungry for knowledge, Equality 7-2521 struggles to embed the reciting prayers promoting collectivism. The text states, “We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only …show more content…
The Council aims to drag innovation and the nature of science. Primarily, Equality 7-2521 expands his ideas and feelings by writing in his journal. “And we know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone” (17) shows his guilts toward his actions. He has gone astray in his own thoughts and records them. Through curiosity, perseverance is given, success is undoubted, and knowledge is gained. However, this is the exact motivation the Council does not want. “We have fought against saying it, but now it has said. We do not care. We forget all men, all laws and all things save our metals and our wires” (54) exposes both society and Equality 7-2521. The wisdom from the Unmentionable Times seeps through and he infringes the the moral principles of society’s rules. Lastly, the prohibition of speaking the Unspeakable Word is put in place sparking Equality 7-2521’s notice. The Unspeakable Word seems to be the pronoun “I” for this is the fundamental pronunciation of individualism. Minor transgression were dealt with the Corrective Detention. However, the moment the Unspeakable Word was spoken, flames would dance and cook one’s body. Later on Equality 7-2521 discovers this word, “I am. I think. I will” (94). This shows individualism, and all his life he does not show the mindset of collectivism. Yet, he could not express it through his language. Through the pronouns …show more content…
Fear does not come from the object itself, but the master whom grasps it. My father is a sushi chef as well as the person financially responsible for our family. To him, a knife is not a figure of violence, but a sign of support. It is not the knife, but the one who holds that knife. Similarly, it is not technology that was hazardous, but the fear of individuals who would use the indulgence of technology. Therefore, technology and innovation is forbidden. It is much easier to regulate technology than the people as a whole because no one can perfectly slip into the set cubicles. When Equality discovered the first stepping stone to electricity, he did not have any intention of evil or fear of the technology. However, when he presented his box of light to the World Council of Scholars were afraid. Rather than focusing on the benefits electricity to society, their focus was on the hassle of replacing the candle-lit system and to disapprove his method in studying and opening his curiosity independently opposing to the society Equality has been submerged into. The scholars fear technology as it may deter the rituals of its society and alter the system. So, they diminished his ideas touched by the Unmentionable Times to ultimately secure the sacred society and its inhabitants. “There is no danger in solitude” (83) is a significant phrase. Equality 7-2521 assures that there is nothing to be afraid of. This is a huge pivot point in
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