How is the society in Fahrenheit 451 like a centrifuge?In Part II of Fahrenheit 451, Faber tells Guy Montag: "Let the war turn off the families....

Given the metaphorical nature of the quotation, I think
that you can wind up with many different reads of it.  In my mind, Faber's quote relates
to the idea that there is a machine, an "invisible hand" if you will, that drives the
social configuration.  This force is something that lies outside the control of specific
and isolated individuals.  When Faber argues that the civilization "is flinging itself
to pieces," it reflects the fact that the machine that drives the social order is
operating out of control, akin to a runaway train.  The idea of trying to repress
individual identity, forcing the mode of social conformity down everyone's throats at
all particular moments and interests, is a reality that helps to bring to light the idea
that the machine driving the society is one that is operating at a high velocity, yet
without direction or purpose.  It is one that is on the move, yet going nowhere.  The
result is that as individuals recognize this, the machine moves even faster, trying to
bring more in its path into its own recognition.  This results in a fragmented state,
one in which individuals have to recognize that things will get more harrowing before
they improve.  This might be where the notion of "Stand back from the centrifuge"
enters.