I am excited to discuss The Veldt with you and how it relates to the theme for the month. It's kind of disturbing, so you may not want to read it right before bed 😉
Core (do all of the following before class):
1. Read The Veldt - a short story by Ray Bradbury
2. Read, watch or listen to Things as They Really Are by Elder Bednar (the video below is just a short excerpt from it, but just watch that if that is all you have time for - however, the talk is excellent and it's a great one to read entirely)
3. Answer one or more of the following questions in your reflection book, journal, or in the comments below:
a) What does this story teach us about the outcomes of acting (being response-able) vs being acted upon?
b) How does technology influence our ability to respond?
c) Why do you think the mother in this story insists on giving the kids one more time in the nursery?
d) Do you see any similar behaviors in children or in parents around you today?
e) In your experience and observation, how does technology seem to affect the family?
4. Write a discussion question in the comments below
5. Purchase or borrow the book "The Robe" by Lloyd Douglas. We will be breaking it up into small chunks and reading 3 chapters per week through the semester.
Journeyman (do the following if you'd like to increase your understanding and share what you learned with others):
- Create something that would teach people about the message you saw in The Veldt. You could draw a picture that would intrigue others to read it, write a poem or song about the message, perform a skit or make a youtube video about it, write a blog post or social media message, or find some way to share the message you got from the story.
Master (master this topic by doing one or more of the following):
- Research the story or the author a bit more. You can google the "The Veldt" and find an analysis (like this one) or learn about the writing style and elements. Look for symbols - like what could the lions represent? What does the nursery represent? The house? etc.
- Write your own short story that teaches something about responsibility or technology
Sadie Loewen
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting how our general authorities tell us that technology isn't a bad thing, which its not. And, I also know that it's a good thing. And i They tell us that its good because we can use them for good things. I'm not trying to disagree with what they are saying, and i'm not. But, from my experience I feel like less and less people use their technology for less and less purposeful things.
One way technology can influence our ability to respond is through the fact that it forms a unrealistic picture of perfection in everyone's lives. We start to compare our worst to others bests and usually people put their best on social media (or at least only what they want others to see). Our ability to respond to the Spirit is then hindered when we choose to dwell on the negative in our lives and everyone else seems to be perfectly happy. Really, everyone has difficult things that happen in their lives. Not everyone wakes up with perfect hair, not everyone accomplishes everything on their to-do list. I think it's important to remember that often media portrays things that are fake and we can't be comparing our lives to something that doesn't even exist.
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