Parallels Between Two Worlds

So much modern technology and advancements are being added to our society today. Most of the advancements are being presented to us rapidly; one right after another. We don't have time to fathom all of these new technologies coming into our world; however, most of us find them as a necessity. They become so much a part of our lives. For example- cell phones, electronic planners, computers, etc. Many of us get so caught up in the new, more-in-style, updated technologies that we forget about what is right in front of us. Computers have taken precedence over book usage, because most people look to the internet as an easier source of gaining information and knowledge. The information found on a computer database is given to you by only a click of the mouse. This is an example of how things are being made easier for us. Now that people in our society have new, and more updated cell phones, they can not only call people from them, but they can email, instant message, etc. I have to ask myself- "Don't people e-mail others from a computer?" The difference is that now people can e-mail others on the go or when they are not sitting right near a computer. All of these things in our society seem to be taking away some of our responsibilities as humans. Once upon a time people would have to remember things only by writing them down. Now, people are reminded of events they need to attend, or places they need to be at a certain time because of these modern technologies. Although all of these things are a big help to our society, they can also take away from the simplicity of our lives and how we view the world as a whole.

These things try and prevent us from stopping to "smell the roses" per say, or to take a good look at reality and how life may really be turning out. There is no reason to look back and remember the past for knowledge and information, because we have all of the information right in front of us.
I think that most of these things I mentioned have a lot to do with why Montag’s society is the way it is right now. And this is brought on by our modern-day technologies. In Fahrenheit 451, over a period of time books stopped being read, and then it came to a point where books became illegal to read all together. I do think that according to this book reading being made illegal is a threat to individual freedom, because those who forget about the past’s importance to our lives, are only becoming more gradually unaware of how much the world is changing. This is shown throughout the book, from when Montag met Clarisse, to when Montag requested to read a poem to Mildred’s friends. Clarisse came into Montag’s life to lead him in a different direction. With the help of Clarisse’s view on life, Montag learned to question things, express his feelings, and think about life in depth. He saw a new attitude towards life that no one else showed him; and it did, indeed, fascinate him. Luckily, many of us in our world today have not forgotten to question and express our feelings. This is just a warning to us explaining the possible result of those who are gradually becoming unaware of the future society.