The islands were designed by the government to preserve society's lack of knowledge of the past and new, curious ideas. Those sent to the island are described as “people who, for one reason or another, have become too self-consciously individual to adapt to community life. All the people who are not satisfied with Orthodoxy, who have their own independent ideas.” Because society lacks knowledge and curious thinking, those who don't meet that standard are sent away to prevent their ideas and curiosities from spreading far and wide..