Fahrenheit Future
July 25, 2004
Ray Bradbury’s infamous novel, Fahrenheit 451 tells the tale of a society where firemen start fires instead of extinguishing them and where people watch excessive amounts of television instead of opening a book.
Which got me thinking of how close this work of fiction resembles our society. Granted, our firefighters don’t start fires but the bulk of our society has re-directed their interests elsewhere. Instead of opening a book or enjoying the serenity of nature, people would much rather chat online or surf the Internet. Our world is one filled with fiber-optics, high-definition television and ergonomic computer chairs.
I often think what it would be like to travel back in time to an era without these modern convienances. To step into a time machine and step off onto the plains of a wide-open prarie or a dusty Western town, when people traveled by wagons and read by the light of the fire. Where sunsets spread across the skies like wildfire in perfect clarity, before pollution began to form.
Then I stop and think about the amount of disease that existed in that era — how the average lifespan was no more than 42 years of age. How most of those individuals that traveled by wagon led a grueling pace across the desert in search of a new home and in the process lost loved ones.
Yet, with anything there are tradeoffs. Advantages and disadvantages to every compromise.
9 comments
I think you meant “extinguishing” instead of “distinguishing” in the first sentence.
[ed. Fixed. The result of a late-night posting and lack of an editor.]
by Liza Ng on July 26, 2004 at 8:34 am. #
Still, some of us still yearn to try get the best of both worlds, as impossible as it seems to be — but this is so closely tied up to the old time/money conflict: You either have lots of one or the other, but seldom both, unless you are very, very lucky in life.
by beto on July 26, 2004 at 1:09 pm. #
Very true, Beto. I’d like to think I maintain a healthy balance, a yin and yang if you may, when it comes to the technical and non-technical aspects of my life.
by kartooner on July 26, 2004 at 4:33 pm. #
Here’s another side effect of today’s penchant for fast and furious entertainment (as opposed to simply sitting down and reading a book)…
A buddy of mine has a 7-year old boy. His boy’s friends always come to his house. Every single one of them plays PS2 or Xbox and every one of them has some weird tic. (If you’ve ever read the instructions of some of those old games, you’d see a warning about the side effects of prolonged playing.)
Here are some stranger side effects…
http://www.childnetma.org/KB/nintendo.html
Unfortunately, the parents just take some of the poor kids to a “professional” where they prescribe some medication to “calm the effects.”
Sad. Very sad.
My friend’s son doesn’t play those games (my friend doesn’t allow him to at his age). And guess what… he doesn’t have ANY strange tics.
I’m convinced that if people would turn off the TV, put away the PS2 and just take a walk in the park with a book or a loved one once in a while, we’d be a much more thoughtful society.
In about 10 minutes, I’m getting off my butt (been in front of this monitor most of the day) and am going for a walk in the park with a book I’m reading.
by Tim on July 26, 2004 at 8:58 pm. #
Some people might bring along their iPod and cell phones on their walk.
Technology mixed with the serenity of nature.
by kartooner on July 26, 2004 at 10:28 pm. #
My clearest thinking, the brightest epiphanies, have always come when I’m out on a good walk w/ no headphone distractions. When I attempt to sit and think at home, I usually get distracted by something shiny — because _stuff_ is too accessible. When I’m walking the only thing that can drag me away from one thought is the next one… or a speeding car coming straight at me.
by Chopsocky on July 27, 2004 at 12:34 pm. #
Right on Tim, my kids are NEVER getting a PS2 or any of that stuff. My boy is getting a mountain bike instead!
Erik, this is something good to think about, makes one realize how bad life really isn’t these days, eh (at least when it comes to lifespans)? Also makes me realize I need to pick up a book. But ya know what, I still love my A19.
Chopsocky, I second that motion, time for a walk.
by Chad on July 28, 2004 at 12:02 pm. #
Chad, I had never heard of A19, until now of course.
What a slick-looking chair! Is it really as comfortable and ergonomic as they advertise?
by kartooner on July 28, 2004 at 1:52 pm. #
Erik, yeah, it’s really comfortable, and very ergonomic. A well-designed and ergonomic chair really makes sitting at a desk all day and staring at a monitor (or two or three) alot easier on you. However, if I had the opportunity to purchase another expensive chair, it would be a Herman Miller Aeron. Sitting in one of these babies is like floatin’ on air.
by Chad on July 29, 2004 at 10:02 am. #