Technology In Ayn Rand's Anthem

Most of the time when we envision the future we think: new gadgets, new ways of communication, and cars that can fly. Why? Because that is the way the future has always been portrayed--as a cooler more updated version of what our life actually is. However, in the futuristic society of Anthem there is no new cool gadgets, no new ways of communication, and no cars that can fly. In order for there to be any technological progress citizens need to be able to think for themselves and have the motivation to invent new things and the need to improve daily life. There is a certain environment needed for technological progress that the society in anthem just doesn’t have. For example, each citizen needs to be able to doubt and challenge traditional ways of life. In the society of Anthem the World Council of scholars doesn’t approve of any technological progress unless everyone agrees with it as shown in the quote “...but when the majority of their brother Scholars voted against them, they abandoned their ideas, as all men must.” The quote further explains that anyone who’s idea has been denied has to abandon their idea completely. This completely stops anything from getting done simply because a few people disagree with it. Another reason for the minimal …show more content…
If the citizens can’t have the freedom to think for themselves they will never be able to act for themselves. Once the main character, Equality 7-2521 realizes that he should be able to think for himself and he shouldn’t feel guilty for being curious and wanting to discover new things he becomes a whole new person. He first uses the word “I” in page 94 in the quote “I am. I think. I will” This quote is important because it symbolizes Equality 7-2521 leaving the collective society to live with The Golden One. Once he leaves the collective society he is free do he whatever he wants without getting held back by the