Is Technology In The Veldt: Moving Us Forwards Or Backwards?

Technology in “The Veldt”: Moving Us Forwards or Backwards? Technology – evolving just as humans once have. From the very first flint dagger to Artificial Intelligence, technology is rapidly advancing and filling our world. In numerous movies and books, technology shows humanity what the future might be like if technology keeps advancing at such a rate. Some view technology as a savior of humanity, a bridge into the light; others view it as a parasite, corrupting humanity. In Ray Bradbury’s, “The Veldt”, a life full of technology was originally viewed as a life of bliss, that is until everything started to spiral out of control. In the end, technology drove the family apart and caused great anxiety in all the characters. When George Hadley, the father of Wendy and Peter, threatened to

George Hadley himself thought that technology was incredible and said, “nothing’s too good for our children” (Bradbury, 12). He demonstrated this by purchasing a $15,000 nursery for Wendy and Peter. However, this nursery corrupted their young, malleable minds and drove the children toward the point of neurosis. The nursery was supposed to be used by a psychologist to study the mental patterns of the children and help them if any problems arose, but the children used it as “a channel toward destructive thoughts” (Bradbury, 195). The kids used the technology incorrectly, and it caused them to become neurotic. Clearly, technology moves society backward. In “The Veldt”, technology drove the family apart and caused anxiety in the characters. The technology replaced the parents, and when George began to turn it off, his children threw massive tantrums and threatened their father. Though technology seemed magnificent in the beginning, it became the main source of conflict in the story. Technology is only helpful if used carefully and in moderation. If technology is allowed to control the lives of people, it will eventually replace