Anthem By Ayn Rand And The Pedestrian, By Ray Bradbury

Science fiction authors have been hinting about modern day problems in all their stories. Many times this is because of Societal Commentary. Typically in science fiction stories, writers incorporate social commentary, which critiques issues in society. Social commentary affects everyone. Some examples of this idea are in Anthem by Ayn Rand, where equality 7-2521 goes though the journey of individualism. “The Pedestrian”, by Ray Bradbury. In this story, Mr. Leonard Mead is in a society where technology and the government took everything over. The Social Dilemma which is a documentary on Netflix that speaks on Tech companies effect on society. Science fiction authors write stories on how technology is causing cultural shifts that result in

This is shown in Anthem by Ayn Rand. In the story, Equality 7 - 2521 speaks about how society and life is. He explains that ever since the “ Unmentionable times”, the government has been controlling everything. What one says, does, thinks. An example of this is, “There is no crime punished by death in this world, save this one crime of speaking the Unspeakable Word” (Rand 49). In the novel, people are greatly controlled by the government. For example, If someone says the Unspeakable word in public, they are burned at the stake. People also live in fear of saying or doing something wrong. This idea is also shown in modern day. If someone says something that is not a popular opinion or not with the crowd. One can be shunned or forsaken by their peers just for thinking differently. This idea Is also shown in the short story “The Pedestrian”. In “ The Pedestrian,” Like in the anthem, Mr. Leonard Mead is an outcast in society because he is different. The government and technology took over society and began to destroy society. Mr Mead was not following that trend. In the Story, it states, ““What are you doing out?”/… ‘Just walking,”” He said simply, but his face felt cold” (Bradbury 1). In the story, Mr. Mead was living his own life, but he wasn't doing what everyone else is doing. This can relate to modern day problems. If someone is just minding their own

This idea is shown in Anthem, By Ayn Rand. When Equality 7-2521 speaks on how his life and society is. He speaks about the “Unmentionable time”, which are times before the government and society began to go downhill. He explains how he doesnt know much about it, due to the government controlling everything. In the story, It states, “But we must never speak of the times before the Great rebirth, else we are sentenced to three years in the Palace of Corrective Detention” (Rand 19). In the story, the government is very controlling and doesn't allow for people to speak about things they don't like. This relates to modern day issues. In society, like stated previously, If one says something that is off color or that is not thought of by a lot of people. They will be an outcast and be thought of as automatically wrong. This is shown in Anthem, because if they speak about the “Unmentionable times”, they will be arrested and locked away. This idea is also shown in the story of “The Pedestrian”, by Ray Bradbury. In the story, People don't want to go outside, and if they do they are arrested. “‘Hello, in there,’ he whispered to every house on every side as he moved. ‘what's up tonight on Channel 4, Channel 7, Channel 9?’” (Bradbury 1). This expresses how technology took over their society. This also relates to modern issues because many people just listen to the news. They become so reliant