what was the name of the novel in which smart people had to wear devices that made noise to keep them dumb?

Answer 1

"Harrison Bergeron" is a dystopian science fiction short story written by Kurt Vonnegut and first published in 1961. It deals with egalitarianism. The theme is set by the first line: "The year was 2081, and everyone was finally equal." Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in October 1961, the story is now available in the author's collection Welcome to the Monkey House.

In the story, societal equality has been achieved by handicapping the most intelligent, athletic or beautiful members of society down to the level of the lowest common denominator, a process central to the society which is overseen by the United States Handicapper General. At the time of the story, the office of Handicapper General is filled by the shotgun-toting Diana Moon Glampers. A highly similar (though less developed) version of this idea appeared in one of Vonnegut's earlier works, The Sirens of Titan.

Answer 2

It is a short story called Harrison Bergeron. Kurt Vonnegut wrote it in 1961. It was made into a movie in 1985 with Sean Astin.

The point was not to make the smart people dumb, but to make them equal with the rest of society. Beautiful people wore masks, etc.

Answer 3

I think you're looking for the short-story Harrison Bergeron, by Kurt Vonnegut. It's available online here:

http://instruct.westvalley.edu/lafave/hb.html

Answer 4

It wasn't "A Brave New World" by Alduous (sp?) Huxley was it? I know in that book, they controlled a person's intelligence at young ages in order to keep them in their intended social classes.

Answer 5

Jennifer R is correct