The fact that much of our society is addicted to videographed drivel doesn't help either. Who needs books?
Everyone should read this book. It is so indicative of the age. He misses a few things, such as the fact that America is no longer an industrial power, and that people no longer even know their facts, but other than that, he is spot on.
I first read F451 in 5th grade when my memory was blazing and whole sentences would stay with me. The very first time I saw someone with a Bluetooth headset in their ear it was like someone slapped me. I thought right away of Mildred and her “seashells” in the ear. And then I thought of all the little headsets people had been walking around with for years...
Then when FB came in and people spend hours talking to walls rather than reading. Now people self-censoring so as to not be unlike others. The social pressure to not say or read anything out of the norm. To not say SO many words, make SO many jokes. SO much is off limits nowadays - there is so much control over the thoughts of people - so much self-censuring - it has gotten so out of control - now even history games and movies are being removed - and it is self-imposed! Just like Ray Bradbury said it would be.
People think F451 is about books. It’s not. It’s about self censorship imposed by a dysfunctional society. The books are just the symptom.
Montag: “Will you turn the parlour (interactive wall) off?” he asked.
Wife: “That’s my family.”