If we reframe today’s scenario as In Ray Bradbury's futuristic novel Fahrenheit 451, reading tendency is declining as a result of society's fixation with television, social media, and technology. Under popular pressure, an authoritarian government issued a directive to destroy literature. These "firemen" rush to destroy any "detected" (found) books, but the occupants, accustomed to cutting-edge entertainment, appear unconcerned.
Like Neo in "The Matrix," fireman Guy Montag starts to doubt this status quo. He finds resonance in the remarks made by a young woman: People are moving so rapidly that if they discover something green, they assume it's grass; if something is pink, it's rose. Nobody stops long enough to look around them with actual observation.
Montag's internal turmoil intensifies as he confronts his society's rejection of critical thought and intellectualism. The educational system produces competent workers but fails to foster original thought and artistic expression. He confides in his commander, who brushes off literature as a cause for concern, saying that people would rather be happy simply than intellectually complex.
Through covert reading, Montag picks up knowledge about politics, history, and the human condition. However, his newfound understanding contradicts his general ignorance, resulting in a fight with his wife and the authorities. He seeks refuge with an ancient book club of folks who believe that reading can help them stay informed and reflective.
"Fahrenheit 451," as the title says it all, is the temperature at which paper burns out of the inside. It represents the brittleness of information and the potent destructiveness of suppression. The book is a warning on the risks of conformity, the need to think for oneself, and the eternal worth of art and literature.
