Democracy appears to be on the rise in Iraq. Terrorism may be succumbing to the military might of coalition troops. Israel slowly inches its troops and settlements from the Gaza Strip. American troops are full of glee and pride. It's a Brave New World.
Well, it is, but more like the Aldous Huxley impression in the novel. The New York Times reported last week that doctors in New York City have begun to use a simple questionnaire to determine if a patient is at risk for depression, "a practice that health officials hope will become a routine part of primary care, much like a blood pressure test or cholesterol reading."
As persons in Huxley's world worshipped Ford and employed soma at any available moment, happiness saturated the mildest of occasions. In today's world, soma is more analogous to a tranquillizer without the hangover or an opiate -- or psychic anesthetic like Prozac -- where happiness is locked in a capsule.
In 2003, an expert panel convened by President Bush recommended expanding mental health screening. Congress budgeted $20 million in supporting funds for state pilot programs this year -- with populous states like Florida and Illinois beginning to investigate the idea of large-scale screening plans, the New York Times reported.
Here, Huxley's dystopia that consists largely of artificial hedonic engineering of mood drugs and their consumption easily applies. Large-scale screening for medical conditions will harvest over-diagnosis, superfluous treatment and a growing potential for lifelong stigmatization.
Granted, many people do judiciously employ these medications. But some people readily consume pills, like a child with a lollipop, anxious to mollify the mental pains from parental reprimand.
Yes, the 1950s have left us. Many of us, including your dear columnist, never experienced this time of perpetual happiness. Walt Disney's production throughout the late 1940s and into the 1950s sparked glee in the eyes of little kids and parents while prices were low. Davy Crockett's glowing strides instilled pride in Americans. Thus, one can only wonder what has happened since then.
Times may be getting worse with terrorism and drugs. But seriously, life is not that bad. One may reference the happy quotient for society that has decreased over time. However, one should note that we do not live in the Great Depression of economic despair.
Failing a test does not correspond to rejection of your graduate school application. Losing a loved one may be viewed healthier as the work of a higher being than the "world hates me."
Mocking is not intended by my imaginative but very pragmatic anecdotes. But the reality is the world is ever-changing, and bad times will happen. If Abraham Lincoln can lead an emerging country despite his depression, many of us can handle the minute turmoil that consumes a few hours of days ever so far in between.
Kurt Davis is a Health & Sexuality Columnist. He can be reached at kurt@cavalierdaily.com
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