Relevance?

The world of Brave New World had lost the memory of its culture and heritage but hadn't actually lost their physical memories. Their memories were there they just had no relevance and meaning. That's why they were so amused/frightened by the savages living "real" lives.

But we're moving off the topic here. Brave New World is not the focus here, but a point of reference. The fact is we're still drawing comparisons and contrasts between the quote of George Santayano, and Big O. Also, if anyone has any different ways to view the quote, don't be afraid to speak up!

Another favorite Santayana quote: "Those who forget the past are destined to repeat it".

In the case of the Big O...they'll repeat it again, and again, and again.

Another reason for me to believe that the images of the Big O army symbolize Roger's reiterations throughout the different permutations of the grand experiment.

quote:

Originally posted by The Venome Lord George Santayano, noted German philosopher and poet, once said, "A society without memory is a society of madmen." How does this relate to Paradigm City of Big O? How is it relevant to Paradigm City and today's modern world views? How does Paradigm City differ from this statement, how is the quote not relevant? Is there some special context we should take Paradigm City into, and if so, what is it? Explain your answers. Wow... I really need to get out more.

I think the ultimate view of Big O when it comes to memories is negative. Paradigm City does not strike me as a "society of madmen" - all the madness that occurs there exists as a result of the people obsessed with either getting at the memories, or who misuse the memories they inexplicably come across, not the ones who don't care about them. The general populace is actually rather peaceful - they've adapted to the unusual status of their world and have learned to move on with their lives. It isn't until the memories begin to return that chaos is set loose, as when RD was freed and started slaughtering people who claimed to have memories, or when mad scientists revived terrible creatures and experiments based on bits and pieces of memory that they've acquired. Roger claims he voluntarily gave up his memories (as did Gordon Rosewater) for a purpose, and perhaps that purpose was to live in harmony, without knowledge of a destructive past.

Perhaps those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it, but one can't deny that those who learn from the past may be also learning HOW to repeat it, rather than how NOT to. Ignorance is dangerous, but at the same time, ignorance is bliss. There are some things that people are often better off not knowing. Memories are essentially demonized by the protagonists, as when Roger finally declares that "People are not ruled by their memories", and Dorothy is living proof of that, as she survives with her soul intact, regardless of her missing memory core. Memories are irrelevant - people can choose their own fate.

It's a complicated issue with no concrete answer. Is identity the result of experience? Or would we be who we are no matter what sort of life we happen to live? Roger decides he is who he is, regardless of what came before, so does Dorothy, and it seems that's what they both had to teach Angel at the end when she "rewrote" the world.