For many of us growing up in the age of technology, it can be difficult to understand life in previous generations. Technology such as television and the internet have become so pervasive into our everyday lives that it is hard to imagine attending school, doing homework or gaining information without them. The gratification of instant information, of discovering an answer within seconds, has revolutionized society. However, this convenience may have come at a high cost: the loss of our ability to think, to discern and to search.
Over half a century ago, Ray Bradbury foresaw a day when books would no longer be needed and technology would replace the skill of thinking critically. Through his now iconic book, Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury explored a world void of individual thirst for knowledge or search for truth. People live surrounded by technological conveniences, with entertainment and information available at one’s fingertips. While this may seem like an ideal lifestyle of ease and leisure, the story’s protagonist, Montag, realizes that this life of acceptance rather than questioning is indeed not better. Today, we may be witnessing some of Bradbury’s concerns becoming reality.
In past decades, students had to go to the library and research their assignments in reference volumes, encyclopedias and other books. Citizens had to read a newspaper to find out information about everything, from their local communities to global affairs. These activities required daily critical thinking. The ability to discern credible sources from less useful sources, to sort out pertinent information from useless information, was constantly being exercised. Skills such as using an index, glossary and table of contents were important to complete a task. The library was a key element of education and the role of the librarian was crucial in assisting students. 50's Era Librarians Physical contact with a book when seeking information also improves skills such as reading comprehension, spelling and grammar. When perusing a newspaper, the reader is exposed to a variety of topics. This leads to a wider scope of information to be processed and thought about.
Today’s technological environment has virtually eliminated the need for research books or newspapers for many people. Students now simply type in their subject in a search bar, and the researching is done for them. Modern individuals view only news that they feel an interest in. Researchers estimate that more people get their news from television or the internet than those who continue to read newspapers. Internet Overtaking PrintThis is a great contrast from past times when it was a social norm for everyone to read their daily newspaper. The information the people of today take in is tailored to them and their own interests or objectives. This tunnel vision approach to information may be more time efficient than traditional methods, but it also limits exposure to new ideas.
While we may not be to a point in history when authorities conduct book burnings, society is approaching an era of complacency towards thinking. It is the responsibility of the population to not allow this to occur, but to actively preserve our rights to think and to question. This can be done by occasionally utilizing more traditional means of gaining information. Students should use the valuable resource of the library more often. People could pick up a few newspapers and discern different perspectives on similar stories. This may take longer than simply typing a query into the computer or flicking on the television. However, it is never a waste of time to invest in critical thinking and to practice these skills. Stepping away from the screen is a way that the world portrayed in Fahrenheit 451 may forever remain fiction rather than becoming reality.
