Then, Chapter 2 explains how Wendell Berry is placed in relation to the agrarian economists that came before him. In addition to the key old agrarian, transcendentalists, and New Agrarian theorists, this chapter examines the theorists that Berry has mentioned in his essays that were influential on his thinking are: Louis Bromfield, F. H. King, Thomas Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Scott and Helen Nearing and their book Living the Good Life, and Stewart Collis’ In The Triumph of the Tree with its discussion of the historical movement between the “Era of Mythology”, the “Era of Economics” and the anticipated “Era of Ecology.” Because Wendell Berry has confessed that he has only done a bit of reading and research in the agrarian
The article, “Taking Multitasking to Task” by Mark Harris demonstrates the effects of having too much technology in our lives and observes the effects of technology on his life and society. Harris begins his essay referring to personal anecdotes of his use of technology and how it affects his life drastically to a point where there is no return from it. In the book, Fahrenheit 451, Montag’s and Faber’s observation of effects of technology in society, are related to Harris’s observations about technology because society doesn’t want to utilize technology it wants to become consumed by it. Harris’s observation of technology in the society we live in today relates to Montag’s and
Technology is becoming a more significant influence in today's society as each day passes. People become more reliant on technology which can end up being bad. As technology advances, people make more advancements to make everyday tasks easier for people, which can lead to everyone being dependent on technology. In the texts “The Veldt” and “Cooking Time” the two authors Ray Bradbury and Anita Roy talk about technology advancements and the society it creates. Bradbury and Roy use the conventions of science fiction to critique society on how scientific advancements can be bad.
1. Wendell Berry states the valid question, “By the abuse of our finite sources, our lives are already in danger. What might we bring into danger by the abuse of ‘infinite’ sources?”. This literature was published in 1977, 40 years ago, and I believe it is safe to say that our seemingly infinite resources (clean air, un-acidified water) have underwent what Berry predicted. When we knew we were on this fast downward spiral, why was there no Paris Agreement then, activists were abundant and knew of the grim future, yet we only decided to step in when it the issue had started to affect the Earth.
He includes quotes from large, technology tycoons who believe that advancement in technology is beneficial because it is making information more accessible and more useful. Carr counters this claim by stating that with the large advancements that technology “Is doing the work of the mind” (324). While he addresses naysayers in his argument he does not completely dismiss their ideas, instead discussing them in a calm way that builds his credibility with the reader. Though Carr believes the most important thing that technology is doing is getting close to replacing human thinking, he discusses the ideas that people believe could be a positive. His rational discussion of the opposition makes him appear knowledgeable to the reader which further builds his argument.
The Glass Castle is a memoir based on the life and family of Jeanette Walls. Short on food and money, the family travels quite frequently to resettle and regain their lives. Based on her point of view, Jeanette maintains a steady heart while dealing with her dysfunctional family’s issues. The parents fail to provide for their children adequately due to their own personal problems, and because of that, Jeannette learns how to fend for and take care of herself. As Jeanette grows older, she realizes the truth and realities in her life, and she eventually takes off to New York to become the independent woman she has strived to be.
Into the Electronic Millennium by Sven Birkerts, written in 1991, is an informative essay that goes into depth about how society is becoming dependent on electronics as a way of communication. New generations will encounter drastic changes as a result of the switch from printed words to electronic media. Birkerts’ intent is to inform his audience about the dangers that electronics will bring to future generations. He thinks that seeking information through printed words are becoming a rarity for younger people. He also claims that since people are dependent on electronics now, people do not have a mind of their own.
“An Entrance to the Woods” is an essay by Wendell Berry about the serenity and importance of nature in his life. In this essay, the author uses tone shifts from dark to light to convey his idea of finding rebirth and rejuvenation through nature. In the beginning of the essay, Berry has left civilization for the first time in a while, and finds himself missing human company and feeling “inexplicably sad” (671). This feeling of sadness is in part from the woods itself, and partly due to Berry leaving the hustle and bustle of normal life in the cities, and the violent change from constant noise to silence causes him to feel lonely in the woods. As a result of feeling alone in the woods, the tone of the essay is dark and brooding, as seen through Berry’s somber diction and mood, as seen on page 671: “And then a heavy feeling of melancholy and lonesomeness comes over me.
Dismemberment, a short story written by Wendell Berry, highlights the physical and emotional hardships of Andy, the protagonist, when he loses his hand to a corn picker. The story follows Andy’s emotions, relationships, and struggles when adjusting to living with one hand. The tone throughout is uncertain, which mirrors Andy’s feelings on changing his lifestyle to fit his new ailment. Wendell Berry himself, a farmer who views industrialization as a threat to the “simple life,” based a lot of this story off of his own personal thoughts on the mechanizing world.
Ray Bradbury’s short story “The Veldt” teaches readers that too much technology can have a bad effect on people. In the story, the Hadley family lives in a Happylife Home which has machines that do pretty much everything for them. The machines make their meals, brush their teeth and tie their shoelaces. There is even a nursery for the children that creates any world they could imagine. In the end of the story, the nursery and the family take a turn for the worse.
Nicholas Carr is “an American journalist and technology writer” who attended Dartmouth College and Harvard University. Over the past decade, Carr has examined and studied the different impacts that computers have on our life and the “social consequences” of this new technology (Carr 123). In “A Thing Like Me” by Nicholas Carr, the author claims that technology is overpowering and dominating our lives. Carr expands on this idea further by defining it as people using “tools that allow them to extend their abilities” (Carr 124). To help with his argument, Carr uses a historical narrative about the creation of computer software, named ELIZA.
Neil Postman Rhetorical Analysis Inventions are changing before our eyes and the world does not seem to question what new technology reveals and what its consequences will be. In the future of technology, there are many individuals who see technology as either a sanction or a burden. Many individuals cannot seem to imagine a world with no technology, however, there are many others who argue that humans are becoming too dependent on technology instead of their own observances and cognition. Technology continues to develop and has become affected people’s everyday life. This issue is addressed by an American Critic and an educator by the name Neil Postman.
Bradbury guides the reader to the conclusion that families fall apart when they spend too much time with technology and not enough time with each other. ‘The Veldt” is more applicable in today’s technology-driven world than when it was written in 1950. The reader hopefully learns that technology must be limited and not replace human interaction and hard work. If technology does everything for people, then people become unnecessary. Family roles should not be taken over by computers and robots.
Bradbury believes that technology is a benefactor when it comes to the aid of people’s lives. However, Bradbury is also wary of the unintentional hazards technological innovation may cause, and fears technology that seems to replace human responsibility. Bradbury sums up his doubts, stating that technology should never come at the expense of human life. These ideologies are displayed throughout the following short stories: “The Veldt,” “There Will Come Soft Rains,” and “A Sound of Thunder.” Each story contains the underlying theme that technology must be wielded with great care.
Stephen King’s thrilling short story “Word Processor of the Gods” focuses on how technology can affect someone’s sanity. When given the chance to change their life, people take advantage of that and abuse it. Technology has taken over our lives and it could take our sanity if we let it. Some people are strong, but others are weak because they are full of envy. The dynamic character Richard was one of the weak ones because he was envious of his brother Roger.
