Robotic vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers, remote-controlled food delivery, a speaker system that knows the answer to any question…all this sounds futuristic, right? Or does this sound like modern technology we all experience today? At the beginning of the school year, freshmen English students read “The Veldt”, a 1950 sci-fi short story by Ray Bradbury. In the story, a family lives in a Smart Home. The house completes all chores and daily tasks for the family, and like in many dystopian stories, this reliance on advanced technology takes a turn for the worse by the end of the story.
When I read this story with my freshmen students, it often leads to a discussion about how all the Smart Home features that seemed fantastical in 1950 are becoming much more normal in 2026. When I teach this lesson, I often ask my students this question: “Is easier always better?” This year, students gave mixed reviews. So I asked a follow-up: “Would you rather DoorDash a meal and eat alone at home, or go out to a restaurant with some of your closest friends?” My students overwhelmingly chose the latter. Even when I explained that organizing a dinner out with other people takes a lot more effort and time, the class stayed firm in their opinion. Months later, during the last week of school, my freshman classes revisited this concept from “The Veldt”. I asked each student to share one item for the Summer Bucket List, something that was free from screens and encouraged a slower pace. Their responses were fantastic. Then, after the final exam, I set out coloring pages and blank paper “bucket lists”. It brought a smile to my face to see how diligently students worked on these slow, creative activities.
As I reflected on these classroom discussions, I was reminded of a sermon I heard this past year about Creation. The pastor brought up how God created the world using only His voice; yet when He created humans, He came down to earth and formed man out of the dust with His hands. Our God, who can create the heavens with a word, intentionally created us by hand. In God’s image, we too are made to be creative and relational! In today’s world, there is a huge push for things to be faster and easier. But the truth is, many of the greatest joys in our lives come from intentional inconvenience, especially our close relationships with other people. For me, it has taken a focused effort to shift my mindset from seeing screens as my main source of relaxation. It’s been enjoyable to take walks, do yard work, meet friends for coffee, and connect with others. This summer, a change in pace from the typical routine of the school year creates an opportunity to slow down, create, and allow ourselves to do some things “the hard way”—on purpose!
God’s blessings on your summer and time of rest,
Hannah Mundt
English Teacher