The Apple Vision Pro Has Ray Bradbury Rolling in His Grave
You Can Find "Mildred" in the Parlor
Even though they are not set to release until next year, Apple's Vision Pro, the augmented reality headset set to be released by the tech giant, has already got Ray Bradbury spinning in his grave.
Groundskeepers at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery report strange occurrences near the sci-fi writer's grave, where it appears the earth around Bradbury's headstone has become stirred and spoiled. Experts say the soil movement is consistent with the notion that the author is actually spinning and unsettling the earth 6 feet under.
Similar signs were found near Philip K. Dick's grave after the signing of the National Security Surveillance Act, and also at Frank Herbert's grave in 2004 after the US Army approved the use of drone strikes for military missions.
The strange event occured at the author's grave as hype builds for the Vision Pro; last week, Apple held a Vision Pro "lab," allowing web and app developers and select members of the press opportunities to experiment with the headset and become evangelized. After the lab, a huge puff piece was released by the company touting its own remarkable genius on the development of their revolutionary headset.
While initial reviews and predictions outside of the Mac biosphere have been mixed, there's no doubt that developers like Apple and Google are onto something that Bradbury warned us against in 1953.
While initial reviews and predictions outside of the Mac biosphere have been mixed, there's no doubt that developers like Apple and Google are onto something that Bradbury warned us against in 1953.
In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury introduces us to Mildred Montag, a woman so consumed by television she has formed an emotional bond with the technology. She spends a majority of her time in the parlor, surrounded by three walls which consist of nothing but screens.
In her ears, little seashell earbuds which help block out any noise of the real world.
And she is not just a passive observer: Mildred can also take part in interactive broadcasts where she is her happiest, most compliant, and totally out of touch with reality.
And now thanks to Apple, all this can be yours for $3,499. Spin, spin, spin.
Due to her compulsive obsession to watch her screens, the reader learns that Mildred accidentally almost dies from overdosing on her medication. Furthermore, she is so consumed by the media and the distortion of truth that she betrays Guy, notifying the fire department about his books.
I don't think he can be more obvious, but Bradbury is saying "don't be a Mildred."
We do not ever truly know the fate of Mildred at the end of Fahrenheit, but Guy imagines her one last time as the city is bombed and assumes she is dead (based on her reaction to the poem that Guy reads earlier in the book and the fact that she snitches, she probably deserved it).
And like Mildred, we do not know our fate. At the end of the novel, Bradbury alikens mankind to a phoenix, consumed by fire only to rise from its own ashes. While this might seem inspiring, remember, the fate of the phoenix is cyclical, and the phoenix will always burn again.
So will you die if you use Apple's Vision Pro? That might be a little strong, and this is an Apple product, not a Samsung (burn!).
But Bradbury warns us about a future where individuals surrender their ethical and moral compasses, the very things that make us human, to technology. Yes, every time you stare at your screen, stuff your ears with AirPods, or take a dip in VR, you are losing a piece of your humanity.
Yet, despite its clunky design, high price tag, and overall pointlessness, iSheep will be lined up around the block when Apple releases the Vision Pro in early 2024.
So spin away, Mr. Bradbury. Spin away, indeed.
Was just listening to an old time radio broadcast from the1940s of "Suspense." The episoode was Zero Hour written by Ray Bradbury.
better yet bradburys story about the kids watching full screen realism of lions on their wall and when mom walks in they are gone but the lions can be seen devouring fresh caught prey
ray bradbury was my first literate love he still moves