'The Twilight Zone' of the 21st Century

The film “The Twilight Zone: Time Enough At Last" basically shows a man’s addiction to reading, making him anti-social and dependent on technology which is his eyeglasses. If I were to write an update or adaptation of “The Twilight Zone: Time Enough At Last," I would include the latest technology we have today since we have become so dependent on it. I probably would have made Henry Bemis use an iPad or a Kindle E-reader on reading his books. So instead of having his wife scribble marks on his “Compilation of Poems” book, I would have her delete all the E-books in Henry’s iPad or Kindle E-reader. Even though they probably would have Wifi in the house for Henry to re-download them, I would have the wife give away their Wifi to their friends so Henry wouldn’t be able to solve his reading problems. Honestly, it is difficult to make Henry’s situation harder than it is if it the film I were to make was a 21^st century adaptation. The film wouldn’t be realistic enough to show Henry’s struggles.  Technology has made it easier and convenient for everyone to access information. With Henry’s desperation to read, he could have easily found other ways to read his books.

I would also have made the ruined lands more devastating and realistic, adding bigger rubbles on the ground, sparking wires, and turned over vehicles. Since there are programs and softwares today that are capable of making such believable destruction, I would apply it to the film. I also would have shown more anti-socialness on Henry’s part, including gossips and stereotype comments from his co-workers on him, since these are the common practice of humanity today on people like Henry.  I would retain the type of politics when the episode was made since it is not much different from what it is now.

The lesson on the story, besides “Be careful of what you wish for,” is to not rely too much on technology. In our era, books are published electronically. Our access to them is through the computers, iPads, iPhones, Android phones, and a lot of other devices that can connect to a plug. The world today has become so dependent on technology that once electricity is removed, we would be living in a modern society turned to hell. We would become our own versions of Henry Bemis; lost and trapped in solitude. 

by Nicole Tesoro

2013-68145