Like looking inti the future...

This story was a pretty interesting read. I think it could have been a little shorter, but I stayed mildly entertained throughout. I guess the main thing that stood out to me was the obvious social commentary, which, honestly, I don't really think was that far out. I mean, sure, the world this tory takes place in seems absurd, but aren't some of these concepts of commercialization overtaking society at least metaphorically coming to pass? I honestly believe so.

Now, I would not dare compare Goerge Saunders to the likes of Ray Bradbury or Ayn Rand, but this story felt very much like the two mentione author's biggest novels. For instance, in Farenheit 451 we see this surreal world where the media controls all, big brother is ever so present, and books are hardly conceivable. That was a world Bradbury saw coming in his wildest imagination. Looking at it today it's obvious this degree of oppression and manipulation hasn't occured, but a lot of other similar concepts and aspects have. For instance, it's a known fact kids don't read, at all. It's an extremely small percent that actually read on a regular basis. And we can easily say the media controls almost everything about our lives. I think this presidential election is a great example. Look how all the major media outlets play with the public by sensationalizing stories concerning both major candidates. We associate ourselves and identity more with products or fictional characters that we see on the television than real life role models.

I really enjoy this topic, and definitely have played with stories concerning futuristic commercialism and media control. I often wonder if a world even remotely similar to this one could develope in my lifetime.