Technology vs. Books

We always thought of technology as the ladder to progress. As early as grade school, teachers would highly encourage us to develop our skills on the scientific side. They inculcated in our minds that with science and technology, our nation would grip the progress we ought to have.Along with the development of technology is the advancement of mass media via technological devices. Internet blogging, podcasting, and video sharing are some of the tools in relaying messages. Even books are published online through e-books.

Fahrenheit 451 depicts of a world where technology rules the world. The world of Fahrenheit 451 is similar to our present world in the sense that we are also living in the world of technological dependency. They listen to music via radios. We also listen to songs through the radios. They watch shows through an advanced “parlor walls”. We also watch shows through the television although not as advanced as those that they have. Surely, we are similar in the sense of technology although not as the same degree of advancement.

However, with the expansion of technology, we still see the value of books which makes us unique from the latter world. Fahrenheit 451 bans books. We enjoy books. We see lots of bookstores around which signifies that people still have the passion for reading. With the advent of technology, books are still considered the best source of knowledge and leisure today. In the story, they ban bookstores and even burn books.

I remember before when internet was still an alien to me, I always rely on the textbooks and encyclopedias they bought me. I totally enjoy reading them because not only was I able to grasp new information, I also awe on the facts that I acquire when reading them. But when I started to get familiarizing with the internet and its other media forms, I learned to neglect the value of books. I relied on the net for researches and new information. I became lazy flipping the pages of a book and I became used to just clicking the keyboard and getting the information. From then on, my bookworm side vanished and I became dependent on the net not realizing that books give more distinct knowledge than the net.

From what I’ve shared, I can relate my story to the world of Fahrenheit versus the present world we have. If we depend too much on the technology, it’s not surprising that a few decades from now, books will now be illegal in our society. For me, I think that this world we have right now is better than the world in the story because books are fun and gives more information than just relying on the technology.

Washing Clothes Washed Me Away

Saturdays and Sundays were my favorite days of the week. Not only was I able to maximize my sleeping time, but I also got the chance to see my grandmother wash clothes.

My lola heads to the lavatory to start her "routine". I was just there by my lola's side watching every step she made. I just love the sound made by the rubbing of her fists, the roll of the washing machine, and the water coming out of the apparel as she tightly twist and squeeze it. I was just there by her side, making bubbles but deep inside, very eager to replace my grandmother and do the washing by myself.

When I can't control myself any longer, I insisted my lola to go away and leave it all to me. Of course, she refused. I tried again but she refused again. I tried and tried but refusal was all she gave me. Until finally, a very big frown painted my face and then I rebelled by not drinking my milk. My strategy was effective. She now allowed me to wash the clothes.

So I sat beside her, grabbed a bar of laundry soap and started the "fun". I followed every step she made as I washed the hankies and undies. It was indeed fun producing the music of laundry by myself.

Then my lola handed me the denims. That's when I realized that washing clothes was not meant for a kid like me. So I started to leave but my grandmother strictly reprimanded me to stay. I can't disobey her. In the first place, I was the one who insisted her. I regretted because I realized that washing clothes is a burden to the delicate hands of a five-year old girl like me.

After I've done my part, I promised not to do the laundry anymore not until I reach a tender age!

Folk Beliefs: Hindrance to Progress

As animists, early Filipinos have embraced spiritual or supernatural beliefs. Until now, these things have continued to be part of our everyday lives. Cutting one's nails at night can bring about the death of a loved one, seeing marching black ants inside the house signifies prosperity, and sweeping the floor at night may "sweep away" good fortune - some of the beliefs that even at this new generation, we still believe that they play an important "role" to our success; a "role" that tries to retract us towards development.

Instead of cutting our nails at night, we tend to postpone it the next morning until we forget to do it because of other works to be done. Instead of working harder, we just rely on certain things for our luck to come like the marching black ants. Lastly, instead of maintaining the cleanliness of our house, we tend to live with the dirt at night for we believe that it's better to keep it dirty than to sweep away the "good fortune" in our house. Folk beliefs brought about unhygienic attitudes and contributes to the slow pace of our lives towards the ladder of progress.

Internet: Connecting and Dividing People

Every day, more and more technological innovations are emerging. Some of these innovations are cars, computers, robots, as well as the internet. Social networking, online games, electronic emails – all these have expanded as the internet continues to develop. People have always thought of it as a way of connecting with others and a way of getting closer to our loved ones.

However, not all the time. The internet may build a relationship but may also cause the collapse of the latter.

My friend and her boyfriend developed this mutual relationship through the internet. As days passed, they became closer and closer leading them to their status right now. Both of them are internet fanatics. They spend most of their free time facing the monitors.

But as time passed by, my friend felt a gap between them, still, because of the internet. He became attached to playing games with his friends forgetting the fact that he still has another “obligation” to attend. The internet has been one of the causes of their frequent misunderstandings and even financial shortcomings. One time, my friend joked me (but actually it was some sort of a serious tone) that she would create a virus for that certain game so that she could take back her boyfriend. She added, “What was once the builder of our relationship becomes the cause of our gradual demise.”

Many things have been organized and have been connected because of the internet. However, there are certain things which are left behind and become divided because of it. The internet can be a source of connection. But too much internet can lead to that connection’s disruptions!