Technology Takeover

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Throughout the short story, The Veldt, by Ray Bradbury, it reminded me of the many movies that have portrayed technology to be the evil between the human races. This generation of children has been relying on the simple life with technology. Like in The Veldt, Peter says, "That sounds dreadful! Would I have to tie my own shoes instead of letting the shoe tier do it? And brush my own teeth and comb my hair and give myself a bath?" (Bradbury 272). Many children these days are using automatic devices such as a toothbrush to brush their teeth rather than a manual one that is cheaper. People would pay any amount just to make their life simpler.

                After reading The Veldt, I thought of the movie I,Robot. I,Robot was based in the future like The Veldt was during the time it was written. Though I,Robot did have a house that did everything for the people, there were robots and other technology controlled devices that catered to the people’s needs. The main character, Detective Del Spooner, played by Will Smith, relates to Lydia, the mother, in The Veldt. Lydia gets this uncomfortable feeling about the nursery when she discovers what the children have been thinking about and says, “It’s got to be locked, that’s all there is to it” (Bradbury 266). Detective Spooner had an unfortunate accident that involved one of the robots saving his life rather than the young girl in the other car because the chances of his life were higher than hers. He then did not trust a robot or electronically controlled devices again. 

                Towards the end of the short story and the movie, technology took control of the humans’ lives. Even though the children were the ones thinking of the horrible ending of their parents, it was the technology of the house that paralyzed them to a certain degree. George Hadley said “They’ve been spoiled and we’re spoiled” (Bradbury  271). People become dependent on the use of technology that doing things for themselves is a difficult task. Therefore, the robots evolved and believed that killing every human that gets in their way is better for the world. It’s ironic that if it wasn’t for humans, robots wouldn’t exist.

                The children wanted revenge on their parents, like Detective Spooner wanted revenge for the little girl’s life. The hatred of authority opened up doors for revenge to travel through. Technology became the evil between human beings. Some are on the side of technology, and some are on the “carefree one-for-all existence” (Bradbury 272).

Bradbury, Ray. “The Veldt”. American Gothic Tales. Ed. Joyce Carol Oates. New York: Plume, 1996. 264-77. Print.