The Negative Effects of Technology in Life

Why has modern technology had negative effects on people? Why has such technological improvement in man’s life estranged and isolated people from each other? In the short story, The Veldt, Rey Bradbury illustrates how modern technology has significantly negatively influenced people. Even among close members of the family, these harmful effects can easily be felt. Although there are many people who believe that modern technology has brought happiness in both individuals and societies, there is evidence in this amazing short story which demonstrates that it is not the case. Hadley’s family has spent thirty thousand dollars on constructing their Happylife Home to bring them happiness. “They walked down the hall of their soundproofed Happylife Home, which had cost them thirty thousand dollars installed, this house which clothed and fed and rocked them to sleep and played and sang and was good to them”(1). Apparently, their initial intention of installing their smart house was giving them more freedom in being and spending time together. On the contrary, their smart house has not only made them secluded from each other but also has made them entirely entangled in this house. Since they installed this smart house, Hadley’s two children have been interested in spending their time in the nursery room in which they can watch whatever they like. Therefore, when the psychologist meets them in the house, he advises them to turn off the house and the nursery in order that they can be more physically active and take a vacation to enjoy nature with each other. Instead of communicating with their parents, the children are so over-dominated by the smart house and the room. The psychologist warns them: “You’ve let this room and this house replace you and your wife in your children’s affections. This room is their mother and father, far more important in their lives than their real parents. And now you come along and want to shut it off. No wonder there’s hatred here. You can feel it coming out of the sky. Feel that sun. George, you’ll have to change your life (8).” Due to the fact that the children are over-dependent on the room