How would Thoreau react to
today's more complex, phantasmagorical
technological advancements and
social media? Are these further encroaching
“shadows and delusions” that we
esteem for soundest of
truths?
Imagine, Thoreau born in the 21st
century, but with the same attitude he possessed 150 years ago. His attitude
was an exception back then and is still one today. He is convinced not to
dedicate his life to labor - not as many others. Nevertheless, without all the
work those others have done, we would not face the technology we are benefiting
from today.
21st century, a stage where a world without
technology seems worthless. Advocates of the technology praise all the
advantages you observe by utilizing the new technology. For example Technology
is able to connect people all around the world, in addition it makes it
possible to stay easily in touch and be always up to date. Furthermore technology
is unavoidable – starting in early stages of life. For instance by using baby
phones, media in school, owning a phone, distracting oneself with watching TV
or playing PlayStation, the list goes on. As a result we are distracted the
entire day and unable to notice small changes around us.
Let´s picture Thoreau in that modern
world...
Thoreau is an expert in the area of
self-reliance and gives speeches at different Universities. He instructs the
students to respond to following question: "What influence technology has
on people?", and carries on: “As a matter of fact, all of you are victims
of the system and have no control over your lives. You live your life as others
require. However, it is your fault to continue this life; you are creating a
mass of depressing creatures. In other words, you are not achieving the degree
you are expecting, but you are on your best way to achieve unhappiness, lack of
spirit and a life full of sadness.”
Thoreau realized that the students were confused;
therefore he offered memorable simple facts about their current lives. First,
technology is a way of producing money. Second, it´s a chain reaction that
starts with a person and an idea and ends in a wealthy life, but in an unhappy
life. Third, quality is only purchased and measured by money, thus as more you
own as more you believe to live. He assures them that these expectations will
not occur and they will never sense satisfaction, if they are exclusively after
money and wealth.
Nevertheless, in the end of his speech he
provides an inspiring comment, he shares his experience at Walden Pond based on
a 2 years experiment to live on his own and to rely only on nature, which
proved to him, and hopefully to the students, that there is no necessary of
electronic devices, social media or other technology. There is also no need to
own valuable things since all that ties you down and simply complicates your
life. Furthermore, he is convinced that technology is the worst scenario of
all, because it keeps humans distracted from the beautiful world around them.
In result, it is a way of creating a world that is further away from happiness
and consequently forms the inner freedom unreachable. Furthermore he argues
that a world disconnected to nature solely creates an Illusion of happiness
until the unavoidable day appears and lets the dream scatter in small pieces.
Thoreau realizes that he is unable to
convince the students of his perspective and is convinced that they will merely
understand him by experiencing it firsthand. In fact, he recognized that this
is the entirely way to perceive the missing piece in their life and feel the
spirit of the world.
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