Humanity is a multifaceted concept that encompasses complex ideas such as the ability to form complex ideas and express emotions. MT Anderson's "Feed" presents a dystopian society where technology has consumed every aspect of human life, challenging the reader’s perceptions of what it means to be human. In this world, language and communication have been simplified to the point of regression, and emotions have been suppressed in favour of an apathetic society. Through this thought provoking story, Anderson critiques the dangers of overreliance on technology and challenges the audience’s perception of humanity by subverting their attitudes towards technology and its implications. MT Anderson invites the reader to rethink their expectations …show more content…
This is highlighted in the conversation between Titus and his dad where he says “She’s like, whoa, she’s like so stressed out. This is . . . Dude,” he said. “Dude, this is some way bad shit.””. Through the utilisation of colloquialism, Anderson establishes the oversimplified language that is used by the people in this society which is a direct result of the omnipresent ‘Feed’. This lack of complexity in language demonstrates how technology has caused an inability to form complex ideas which subvert from the traditional concept of humanity. The feature of regressed language is demonstrated again when Titus says “trying to say the right thing to people, it’s like some kind of brain surgery … it’s more like brain surgery with old, rusted skewers and things, maybe like those things you use to eat lobster, but brown.”. The extended simile …show more content…
This highlights the consequences of a society fuelled by consumerism while being reliant on technology. Throughout the novel the characters are depicted with a severe lack of emotional range or enthusiasm which is represented through their behaviour. This is portrayed towards the ending of the novel in “When Titus sees Violet in her room, he notices that she’s very pale. Her head is shaved and covered in scars, and he feels very uncomfortable,”. Here, visceral imagery is used to invoke empathy in the reader towards Violet’s condition, however, this humane reaction is subverted by Titus who displays no sign of emotion or empathy which contrasts the reader’s initial reaction. This epitomises the novel’s theme of apathy and reveals how a situation that should invoke an emotional response instead does not affect Titus. Through this, Anderson exemplifies the implications of technology and the way in which it dehumanises the users by suppressing all emotion and empathy. The concept of dehumanisation and apathy is reinforced in the conclusion of the book in the line “Back at home, Titus sits in his room, naked. He orders endless pairs of pants, until he’s out of money. He thinks he can feel the pants being packed, shipped, and distributed. He doesn’t sleep at all, just waits for the “shit-stupid sun” to rise.” This illustrates