Gamal ALI
Dr. Alikhani
English 21007
September 16, 2018
In the 21st century, technology has go along way with human, specially since the industrial revolution in 1760. Since then, humans can not imagine their life without the new technologies and inventions that improves their life and helps them go over their daily struggles. According to Karehka Ramey in his article “WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY – MEANING OF TECHNOLOGY AND ITS USE” on the meaning of technology. Ramey states that “Technology is a body of knowledge devoted to creating tools, processing actions and the extracting of materials.”1 However, not all the contribute of technology has been positive. A lot of negative impact has occurred in our lives because of technology. Ray Bradbury show that in his work of literature “The Veldt.”2
In veldt, the technology has ruined the relationship between the parents and children. The technology of the house has replaced the relation of the father and the mother to the children. When they need to eat, dress for school, study, have fun, and even go to sleep, the house provided all that. As David the psychologist said: “You’ve let this room and this house replace you and your wife in your children’s feelings. This room is their mother and father, far more important in their lives than their real parents.” They did not want their parent any more. Matter of fact they wanted them dead, as we saw at the end of the story. The technology planted hatred from the children toward their parents. When George turned off the nursery, his son peter cried so much. He also showed the hatred that the technology planted inside of him when he told his father phrases like, “Oh, I hate you!” and “I wish you were dead!”. And Peter did not say these words because he was mad or upset. He really hated his father and mother because he and his sister tricked their parent when they called them, “Daddy, Mommy, come quick – quick!” When the parent rushed to check out on their children, they closed the door of the nursery on them and they let the lions eats them.
As an engineering student, this story affects me because I see how technology is destroying relationship in our era. According to Psychology Today website “A new study from Brigham Young University examined how technology interferes with relationships. The researchers concluded that “technoference” can be damaging not just to a relationship but to your psychological health as well.” We are getting advance in technology, but we are going backwards in relationships toward other human beings. Mr. Bradbury chooses children in his work of literature for a reason. Although technology has negative affect towards everyone, children has the majority of those negative effects. According to Jim Taylor in his article “Is Technology Creating a Family Divide?” He said “The division between parent and children has grown due to the increased use of technology among children.”3 This was also the case in the story the Veldt.
1Karehka Ramey “WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY – MEANING OF TECHNOLOGY AND ITS USE.” https://www.useoftechnology.com/what-is-technology December 12, 2013
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