A GLIMPSE TO THE FUTURE

          There are a lot of notable differences between the fictional, futuristic world of Fahrenheit 451 and the 'real' world we now live in. Ray Bradbury created a world which is quite unimaginable yet somehow possesses some aspects which bears some kind of a resemblance to today's society. When we compare the world we're living in to Bradbury's fictitious world of Fahrenheit 451, we can immediately point out a lot of contrasts. However, when taken deeply, we can also see some instances where we can conclude that maybe Fahrenheit 451 is a reflection or a 'premonition' of what our world could become if we don't get smart and let others do the thinking for us.

          Some of the most evident aspects were in technology, lifestyle, and the type of society both world enjoy or suffer from. In Fahrenheit 451, the Mechanical Hound acts very much like the present day law enforcers. They track and hunt and take down anyone they're told to. Robots and mechanical objects aren't uncommon these days so maybe Mechanical Hounds may be a possibility in the future after all. This is not that different from three-walled TV's that take up the parlor in most homes depicted in the novel. the closest I can think of something similar to it is the computer with the webcam and headset where you can talk with families and even strangers. With the pace today's technology is going, we shouldn't be at all surprised to find resemblances with our world and Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.

          The type of society also differ in the two worlds. In today's world, people seek their own happiness with all they have. When they decide that material things would make them happy, they work hard to get it.In Fahrenheit 451, people are well-provided for by the government so they seek other things which would make them happy and thus resolve to violence. They seek pleasure without thinking of what it might cause or how it would affect others. It seems that they had stop caring. You want to drive fast? Then drive fast and hit someone, if you can find one, just for the heck of it. As long as it makes you happy. Their world is really a far cry to our today's more humane society.

          The kind of society also reflects the kind of lifestyle they have. In the novel, Mildred and her friends talk about everything and nothing. They blabber on totally random things but refuse to discuss matters of importance. One of the 'relatives' mentions about her husband being in the war but doesn't seem to give a damn about it. If it were in today's times, wives of soldiers would've found something better to do than talk about nonsensical things with strangers. The kind of environment really affects ones views and principles. In the novel, the government wanted them to act in a certain way so they obey unless they want to considered an outcast. In today's society, people are diversified. Most of them don't care what others might think as long as they're not doing anything illegal.

          Although there are some situations in the novel which we could identify as a reflection on today's society, there are still a lot more we could to stop our world from going to the direction the world of Fahrenheit 451 had taken. Through the novel, we had taken a glimpse of a possible future which awaits us if we continue to neglect everything that is good and important.

MY LAST BEER

          The first time a drop of beer touched my tongue was also the last time. After that first time, I swore I’d never taste anything like it again. Here’s what happened.

         Ever since I could remember, my father and my grandfather had always been partners at the drinking table. Whenever there’s an occasion- a birthday party, graduation, or fiestas- it’s always expected that there would be a drinking spree, a drink-til-you-drop kind of thing, lead by my father and grandfather, of course.  It was my uncle’s wedding after party. We were at my grandmother’s house then. That day, my father and my lolo were joined by some of my uncles. They were having a really good time. I was nine, maybe ten, years old. I remember being with my brother then. He was a year older than me. I used to play with my brother a lot. I always end up playing 'boy' games like marbles or 'takyan' because he won't agree playing dolls with me. He was always the boss. Now, we were passing the 'drinking table' when my brother suddenly asked my father what those golden-colored bubbly liquid taste like. My father, a little drunk then, asked my brother if he wanted a sip. My brother, ever the adventurer, consented. I was nervously watching my brother take a drink. I knew even then what that drink could do to someone who drinks it. I've watched my father sleeping on the floor after those said drinking sessions. He drank the liquid from the glass. I looked at his face and saw him frown but after a while, he turned to me and said that I should try it to. I was hesitant at first. It's not like my mother would want her daughter getting drunk. I looked at my brother and he urged me to try it. I should have known that he was up to some kind of devilment when I saw that grin on his face. But I was too curious to notice. My curiosity got the better of me. I took a sip and immediately regretted it. The drink was so not good. I swallowed it so fast and felt my throat in flames. The burning feeling continued all the way down to my stomach. How could someone gulp down something like it like it was just water? My head was pounding after a while. I swore I'd never drink beer again even if they'd pay me a fortune for it.

         I learned an important lesson that day. I think, not all things favored by others would sit right with you. Try asking yourself if you could carry the consequences. And oh, if your brother tells you that something tastes good and that you should try it, it's almost always a lie. Trust me.

PERSONAL IDENTITY

          I've been filling up different kinds of forms ever since I can remember. Everytime I come across the word NATIONALITY, I always scrawl FILIPINO across it unthinkingly. Because that's what I am- a Filipino. However, being a Filipino doesn't just stop at some random forms asking for your citizenship. It goes beyond that. Being a Filipino has given you your identity so you must embrace everything that the word entails- its culture, tradition, beliefs, and faith. I was raised in a traditional Filipino family. I know almost all my relatives from my oldest granduncle to my youngest cousin. Close-knitted families are common in the Philippines. You have to know your history and your relatives are part of where you came from. Some even hold clan reunions to get acquainted with relatives they might have missed. Just like families, religion is very important for Filipinos. My mother always insists on going to church together on Sundays. Faith plays a major role in our lives. Filipinos has a lot of traditions which have been passed on from one generation to the next.

UNSEEN BRIDGES

          Today’s times are the peak of computer age. This is even made more interesting with the rise of the Internet. It, really, is a remarkable thing. It does not only aid you with your school problems but it also has the wonderful ability to connect you with your loved ones, friends, and the rest of the world. It makes communication much easier. People who aren’t physically close to you could just be a click away. Despite all this, internet, also, has a lot of downpits. Several issues have been raised regarding privacy, stolen identity and a lot more. Some groups are fighting off these mischievous use of technology. However, these wayward behavior and acts of negligence on both parties aren’t enough to ward people off in using this technology.

          A lot of Filipinos are working abroad for other people. Families of the overseas Filipino workers are left here in the Philippines. It may be true that snail mail would always be available but it could never compete with the speed of electronic mails. The snail mail could take months to deliver while it would only take minutes for electronic mails. Telephones are also there as a means of communication but it could never be as satisfying as seeing your loved ones live on web cameras while talking to them online.

          You can also check out on the latest happenings on your friends’ lives. You can get up-to-date with their goings-on even if you’re not on the same city or even country. At the same time, you could also meet new pals. All of these are made possible through social networking sites. Several applications are available to make your profile more colorful and interesting. You can also play with your friends online. Now, how cool is that? You don’t have to be together virtually. Its pretty amazing to think on how these things work together.

          With today’s technology, connection with new people and recollection with old friends are now possible. It’s a very good substitute for the old means of communication. In fact, it’s a thousand times better. The internet is available for the people so we must use it to our advantage; but, we also have to take necessary precautions on divulging personal information online which could very well be destructive.