This generation of teens
Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 describes a world in which teens are apathetic, mindless, and desperate. How does this generation of teens compare to the teenagers in the book? Do you think Bradbury's world will ever become reality?
posted by Michelle S @ 2:37 PM
9 Comments:
It is quite possible that the teens in Bradbury's fiction are images of what teens will become. Teens spend more time worrying about ourselves, and not others. That could eventually, drastically, lead to the murdering teens in the fiction. We spend far too much time in front of the television and computer, and it appears as though academic standards are steadily lowering. We are turning into a society without a set standard for conduct. Teens commit suicide every day, and even more give in to depression. It makes me sad.
Do you think, though, that teenagers of past generations have thought the exact same things we have? I mean, doesn't every generation have its problems? Think about the 70's and 80's, when there was hardly any restriction on public smoking or drugs or drinking. Think of the requirements we have now...don't you think that it can go both ways? It all depends on how you look at it.
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So do you think society or civilization will eventually destroy itself? Can you tell me how danger and turmoil in society is increasing? And how can any one of us as teens compare our lives and our state of society to that of decades or centuries before? We weren't even alive! And as teens, do you think we have a natural tendency to predict things like this; to expect the world to change for the worse? And can I ask you: do you ever truly think about murdering your friends or your peers? Do you think teens are heartless, cold, unthinking beings? I would hope not, being one myself! I know I may be totally inexperienced and very little in the eyes of the world, but I still feel! I still can think and hope and dream just like any adult or even any human being in this world. And another thing: teens are in a very special position. We are not yet adults, but yet we are not children; we can feel the views of both at times and we can empathize with them. We are in such an advantageous position to change the world! We still have a voice that can be understood both ways! Though we are frustrated and confused and scared and bewildered and hesitant, we can still be loving and hopeful and funny and sweet. We can still DO things. We still have a VOICE!
As someone who works with teenagers every day, I will say that for the most part, I don't think that teenagers are apathetic or mindless. Teenagers tend to really care about issues that seem relevant to them, and are willing to work pretty hard to achieve their goals. I would add that it is probably easier to be mindless today than in the past, simply because technology allows us to be receivers of a great quantity of information. However, technology also allows us to be creators of information in ways that previous generations could never even imagine.
Teens aren't mindless, and we do have feelings and thoughts. However, there is more unsafe, probably underage driving, like the car than nearly ran over Montag. One of Millie's friends talked about plopping her kids in the parlor when they came home. What do we do when we come home? The general teen population doesn't sit arounds philosophying about how to change the world. Many sit and veg in front of the TV or computer. The lady in 451 said that it was a good thing she knew how to kick her kids back. Teens are, in general, rebellious, and disrespectful to their parents. About the different generations argument, you have a point. Every generation has its problems. But this is the first one where kids are getting abnormally fat and spend a good deal of time in front of a mindless game or screen.
That is true...but let me ask you, do you think teens are less active socially, politically, and economically than they were in the last generation or even 50 years ago? And, do you think teens are less aware of the dangers they face? Just having the seat belt law and the raising of the driving requirements reduced teenage deaths in driving significantly. There are also many programs that let teens know about the problems and risks of death they can face.
Yes, I do think teens are less active and riskier. However, I really have no right to say that because I haven't exactly researched the problems in earlier generations. I don't mean to be rude at all, but I didn't understand the point of your last commment. Please explain how that furthers the argument. Please don't read any disrespect into this email, because none was meant.
Going off the comment about information being given to help teens be more aware, I think that we might be recieving too much information, and now those who use drugs and alcohol are often made aware of their choice, and so are brought to be closer to madness. What is scary about this madness is that now the madmen of this century are becoming aware of their actions, and have had to rationalize themselves to a huge degree, more than any other society has yet. What I'm getting at is the length of the downward spiral people go through today to get to the same level of twistedness someone several years ago got to by only slipping a tiny bit off the normal track. It's so drastic a change, I am starting to worry that if conditions in places like the U.S. change for the worse, we might not be able to look ourselves in the mirror. Or worse, we might look in the mirror and smile at the blood on our hands.
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