While I love the book, I can't read it without getting this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. Why? The answer is simple and unfortunately obvious--the society in the book follows exactly the road that the human race is taking today. Now, I'm not going to go on a big philosophical or political spiel here, but the glaring similarities between the humans in the book and humans in the world today are astonishing.
Take Mildred Montag, for example. Her life is so controlled by technology and her mind is so brainwashed by media that she can hardly ever remove herself from the virtual world. When she isn't sitting around with her television "family," she has her Seashell radio in her ears, closing herself off from all human contact in the real world. When she does speak to Guy Montag or other people, she does not give her full attention to the person who is trying to talk to her. She forgets things quickly, but not just minor events; she forgets important events, such as how she and Montag met and Clarisse's death. Because of technology and society, Mildred has become a hollow, emotionless shell of a person--Montag feels like he is in an empty room, even when Mildred is there.
Sound familiar?
(from http://bit.ly/1gTCgWU)
If it is not still becoming clear to you, let me enlighten you with a story. Last week, I was attempting to have a conversation with someone my age. However, it was clearly evident by the phone in their hand and their down-turned gaze that I was not about to have a coherent conversation. When the person did respond to me, which was not very often, their responses were delayed and very brief (maybe a word or two). Vexed by this, I went to try to talk with another friend. This time I had more luck, and we had a nice little chat. However, while exchanging words, my friend asked me, "Hey, can I see your phone?"
"Why?" I asked.
"So I can check the time."
"Why don't you just look at the clock on the wall? It's right there."
"It takes too long to read it, and I can't really do it anyway."
Her words hit me like a train.
I then began to realize how much technology is controlling our lives. We can't go a few hours without having to check our phones or our computers every chance we get. Conversation is becoming harder and harder for people--as we give more attention to our devices, we lose the precious practice we need in order to develop effective communication skills: just talking to people. In fact, studies show that technology addiction is similar to drug addiction.
Speaking of drug addiction, this brings us right back to Fahrenheit 451 and Mildred. Mildred, while she may not seem aware of her self-confinement in the virtual universe, may actually be aware of this. Because she can't just leave--they're her family after all--she tries to escape the only guaranteed way: suicide. By swallowing pill after pill after pill she attempts to break away from her artificial happiness, a common feature of the people of the dystopian society in the novel (and people today).
There is no denying that technology is taking over our lives, draining us of our ability to connect with the people that truly matter.
If Fahrenheit 451 isn't a wake-up call to the condition of the world today, I don't know what is.
Word count: 594
Hey Victoria!
ReplyDeleteYour post was so insightful. I read your post for the first time Saturday night, and have not been able to push it out of my mind since. You mentioned that Mildred always seemed to have her seashell radios in her ears. I am a big music lover, and always have my headphones with me, whether they be in my pocket or in my ears. Your post caused me to question this simple, habitual action. Am I being viewed as distant? Am I the epitome of modern day society's teenager? Your post also highlighted my reliance on technology. Like Mildred is reliant upon her TV, I am reliant upon my phone. For example, when my teammates and I have to time a certain conditioning at gymnastics, we pull out our phones and use the stopwatch rather than watching the clock (which is in plain sight). Technology fuels even the simplest day to day actions. You're right, Fahrenheit 451 is a wake up call, and I hear it loud and clear.
Your point about how technology is slowly but surely bringing our world closer to a society like Montag's is a disturbing yet very good point. Your post made me think a lot, especially since I know that even though I try not to, I have definitely found myself guilty of tuning out the world around me using technology! As it becomes harder and harder to completely disconnect from technology in our world, that makes it even more important for us to remember to step back for a little bit every once in a while and appreciate the little things, like having a normal conversation with someone in person.
ReplyDeleteVictoria,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what you are saying about technology's role in the book and how it relates to us today. We have become so reliant on these inanimate beasts such as, televisions, cell phones, and computers, that they are practically taking over our lives. Today, it is almost impossible to fathom the fact that people used to live without these objects, with just the world and the people in it. The advent of technology created almost a new dimension to this world. It can ruin friendships and separate families while it is intended to help others communicate and enhance the quality of life. But are they hampering it instead? This is extremely exaggerated through Mildred's dwindling relationship with Montag, as a result of technology. It is almost as if Mildred can shut him out, the same way she can hang up with someone on the phone or just put her seashell radios in her ears. She abuses technology to the point where it is ruining their marriage. It is so difficult to draw the line between a healthy use of technology and just flat out abusing it.