A Future in Flames

             I'm normally not a fan of futuristic science fiction books but I've come to like this Fahrenheit 451. The settings and ideas of most future based books are too complex and difficult to even have the slightest grasp of an understanding. At first, when I started reading Fahrenheit 451 I thought it was going to be exactly like all the other science fiction books that I can't stand. I didn't see the point or reason for burning peoples books, especially for firemen to do so. But with given factors I came to realize how important books are and without them we would be a world of no civilazation, which is exactly what the world of Farhenheit 451 was. So from this understanding, I became more interested in the other complicated events and meanings.
             When Mildred overdoses, I saw the machine used to replace her blood "Snake", as a support to the symbol of blood. Bradbury uses the snake to reveal Mildred’s corrupted insides and the thick sediment of delusion, misery, and self-hatred within her. The Snake had explored “the layer upon layer of night and stone and stagnant spring water,” but it's replacement of her blood could not rejuvenate her soul.  Her blood being poisoned but yet replaceable signifies empyness and lifelessness in her that countless others also portray.
               The ending of the book is probabl y what made me appreciate it most. One event would happen right after the other and each one would just seem so abnormal that it made me question and worry. If we all gave up our use of books due to rising technology and who knows what else, the whole world could watch one of us on the run because we refused to let our own personal books burn in flames.

"Live Forever".

            Upon watching the two interviews of Ray Bradbury, I'm able to see now his reasons behind his writing, and how they tie into his reasons behind his living. When Bradbury was young he met a man at a carnival named "Electrical Man", who said to him "Live forever". This then became the reason what motivated Bradbury's life, future and writing. In Fahrenheit 451 I noticed that I was constantly asking myself where and how did the author come up with these ideas of futuristic things especially the burning of books; why was that necessary? However, after watching the interview, Bradbury specifically noted that the motive for his futuristic ideas came from him falling in love with Buck Rodgers comic strips about the future. He also stated that when he was 15 years-old Hitler had burned books in the streets of Berlin and he realized that if you had no books, you had no ability to learn or be apart of any civilization, which explained his reasons for including the burning of books in his writing. Bradbury caught my attention particularly when he said to be passionate with the heart not the head. Which explains the reason why his characters are created themselves, not by him.
              Throughout the interviews Ray Bradbury showed only accuracy. He never questioned what he said and had only confidence speaking what he said. Mrs. Jesik always tells us to own what we say which is exactly what Bradbury did. As far as the fiction effecting us so much that it becomes a reality, I'm not quite sure how to answer. Some scenarios throughout the book are completely relatable today, there not fictional or futuristic. I think that it has already became a reality.  Orrrrr, from the interviews I understood Bradbury describing how our fictions when we're young become our realities when we're old. Bradbury like many of us have had dreams that soon become true when we become older and then they are no longer seen as fiction.  
           I discovered alot from watching the interviews. I have a better appreciation for Fahrenheit 451 and Ray Bradbury because I understand the motives and reasons behind them both. "Do what you love, and love what you do". Bradbury often quoted this because he was a lover of life which helped inspire his writing.
               

Star Trek and Scientists.

           After watching a 45-year-old Star Trek episode, I think we can definately relate it to our time period now. Some objects and technology that were presented in the episode are very well existant in our world today or they are beginning to grow in existance. Although, I don't think I could say that our modern technology was primarily based off of the ideas Gene Rodenberry displayed. However, I would agree that Rodenberry's ideas were influenced and created based on the existing technology in 1965. Evidence from the Star Trek episode helped me reach these agreeing and disagreeing conclusions.
          In 1965 Star Trek was a very futuristic show. Watching the episode now, our generation would still see it as being futuristic but with some technological ideas presented by Rodenberry we would relate finding ghem to be normal. For instance, the big flat screen T.V.'s in there spaceship. At first they appeared completely normal to because we're used to seeing them today. I don't believe taht scientists got their modern technology ideas from watching Star Trek though. Not every scientist watched Star Trek and used it as a reference or base for there ideas. Rodenberry though could only of had his creative ideas of technology influenced by his imagination and the technology of 1965.
             Watching Star Trek really showed how advanced technology has become. It also showed how much we can relate to a futuristic idea of 1965 now be a reality 45 down the road. Star Trek didn't necessarily enforce or enflict the inventions of scientists today. I still haven't came across a rainbow light that makes you freeze yet.

She's The Man...

           Jean Louise, better known as "Scout", is who we're first introduced to in part one as the narrator in "To Kill a Mockingbird". Throughout the first part, I noticed to have found myself struck with much interest and inspiration of Scout. At only being 6 years old, she chooses to make courageous actions because of the things she believes in, and the things she believes are right. So far, Scout has made me see her as being a very headstrong individual.
            One of the things Scout believes in that makes her particularly stand out from others, is her appearance. She's not like other little girls who dress and act like a lady as well as use proper manners like them. Scout wears overalls like a boy, hangs around her brother and friend while getting into shenanigans...like a boy, and she just doesn't bother to find interest in girl-like things, all of the above is otherwise known as a tomboy. Scout also isn't afraid to make her teacher Mrs. Caroline a tad bit furious at times, nor is she afraid to beat up a Cunningham because he wouldn't take her generous offer of 25 cents.
           But what makes me love scout the most is that she's always there to defend,respect and honor Atticus. When stupid Cecil Jacobs yelled out on the school yard "Scout's daddy defends niggers", scout defended Atticus because she knew what he was doing was right and in result, she beats the crap outta Cecil. At Christmas time, Scouts and her family go to visit her aunt Alexandra, who highly disapproves of Scout's appearance, her uncle jack, and boring cousin Francis. Francis eventually says something but like Cecil, he tells Scout that Atticus is a "Nigger lover", and in the defence of Atticus, she beats Francis up too.
           I must say, even though it's pretty sweet that she's already beat up three boys in the story (you go girl) it is wrong. But when you consider a person from her point of view and walk around in her skin, you see that her reasoning behind it all was right. This applies to all of her actions in some way too. She dresses the way she wants because she believes in being herself even if it means enduring being judged by others, and she says what thinks because she believes in what she feels even if that means getting a slap on the wrist for it, what's so wrong with that? I guess I just have to come to the conclusion that I wish I was Scout. She's strong, loyal, fearless, and just all around one tough babe.