Are screens stealing our childhood? This is an important question for a 12-year old living part of his life on screens. Depressive bouts can hinder his enthusiasm and doubt can arise over whether he will resent using technology to dominate his time as a child. Henry David Thoreau, known for his literary masterpiece Walden, shares similar fears of whether he will eventually realized he hadn’t lived life in the utmost potential. It is wrong to assume that childhood should be used to cultivate ambitions and advance the future which consequently may mean neglecting present pleasures. However, it is also important not to establish childhood as a time of blameless freedom and enjoyment, otherwise long-term responsibilities might become an imperceptible annoyance. Digital technology’s combination of work and leisure as well as the adult society’s use of screens set a difficult standard for children to follow.
The future, however, can never be predicted with certainty. Technology is growing so rapidly that an increase in smartphone power or computer technonlogy might be the case 20 years down the line. The predicted anachronisms of the past era of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey or the fax machines of Back to the Future’s ideal 2015 may have seemed outrageous 20 years ago but could all be actualized. It is foolish, then, to waste time imagining the conditions of adulthood based upon present standards.
The path for a productive and satisfactory life lies in comprehending the importance of now. Think about what activities spark joy and contentment presently, without thinking whether these moments will lead to pleasurable memories in the future. As Thoreau wrote, take it season by season, what is important lies in the present. Learn to “let nothing come between you and the light”, be excited with what brings value and satisfaction in the present. Technology may indeed be a part of that experience, but it should not linger too much above any other options. Walden, Thoreau’s justification of his time in the woods can also be a lesson for a modern day, big city child about allocating time to dedicate to the simple, authentic parts of life that could greatly provide in times of need.
The person mentioned in this article is Henry David Thoreau. He was a famous American philosopher and naturalist who wrote the highly influential book Walden. He was also a prominent figure in the transcendentalist movement. Thoreau believed in living simply and directly engaging with nature at its purest. He was a proponent of individualism and civil disobedience, and spent two years living in the woods at his cabin near Walden Pond. He wrote extensively on conservation and his thoughts on living in harmony with nature. He was also an active abolitionist and wrote extensively on the issue. His works are highly praised and are considered one of the most influential pieces of American literature.
The company mentioned in the article is Stanley Kubrick Productions. Stanley Kubrick was an American director and producer who worked on a number of acclaimed films across various genres. His most famous works include A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, The Shining, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Kubrick’s style was unique and often dealt with the darker aspects of the human condition in a philosophical way. He won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for 2001: A Space Odyssey and was nominated in a variety of other categories. After his death in 1999, Stanley Kubrick Productions was founded to commemorate his works and influence. The company has released a variety of his works on DVD and Blu-ray as well as other materials such as books and posters. It is also involved in the restoration of his movies that are in the public domain.
