In the twenty- sixth century the inhabitants of Utopia have so lost their individuality , which vary in number. They live in glass houses ( this was written before the invention of television) , which allows the political police , called "Keepers " can easily supervise them. They all wear the same uniform and usually turn to each other or as a " cipher -so " or " UNIFEM " ( uniform). They feed on artificial food and rest hour marching in fours in a row the anthem of the One State, pouring out of the loudspeakers . As they are allowed to put a break on the hour (known as the " sexy time "), draw the curtains of their glass houses. At the head of the One State is one called The Benefactor , which are replaced every year the whole population , usually unanimously. The guiding principle of the State is that happiness and freedom are incompatible .