Feed

This week, I read the first few pages of Feed, by M.T. Anderson. The title is very ambiguous, so the first thing you should know that this book is not about the production of food for farm animals or giving meals to young children. It is a satirical science fiction novel about a group of people who live far in the future. They all have "feeds" programmed in their minds, giving them information, propaganda, and advertisements. During a completely "normal" trip to the moon, the main character, Titus, has to learn how to live without the feed and resist its control over human thoughts. Published in 2002, the novel predicts a future frighteningly similar to the technological advances we can see today. Google glass may be the forerunner of the omnipotent feed, turned to nefarious purposes by powerful entities. Of course, that will hopefully never happen.

 I have read two other books by M.T. Anderson before, both about a boy named Octavian. (Their actual titles are remarkably long) Unfortunately, this meant that I had only experienced M.T. Anderson write in eloquent but ornamented 18th century English, and I was very surprised when the main character of feed talked with deliberately incorrect grammar and used the word "like" in about every other sentence.

I immediately noticed a text to world connection as I started reading. The "feed" in the book is very similar to a modern day technology such as Google glass. It can give the characters information and suggestions, and is filled with advertising. Soon enough, advertisers will probably figure out how to send location based ads to peoples' smart glasses telling the user, "turn right to find our amazing business which 6 of your friends have recommended". I also made a text to text connection to The Giver, by Lois Lowery. In that book, the government is also trying to influence peoples' thoughts, but by using external forces and not feeds inside the brain. I found that the theme of the books seemed similar, with both main characters rebelling against an oppressive regime that nobody else realizes is oppressing them. The primary difference though is that the Feed characters are influenced by an overwhelming amount of information while the Giver characters are influenced by a lack of knowledge. Finally, I made a text to self connection. Just like the main character, I don't enjoy being sold things by companies when they claim that you need to want their product because that's what other people want. This kind of advertising makes everybody feel that they are imperfect and their shortcomings could only be fixed with the new product.

As I continue reading, I predict that the main character will find other people to support his cause, but will not be able to make a substantial change in the society he lives in. There will probably also be more details, such as the advertising on the feed, that are based on real world things. Hopefully, Feed will turn out to be a good book.

The Feed may already be here...