ITA 2500 | World Science Fiction
Essay One: Micro-Reading
March 1, 2020
“Hey Siri, write this paper for me.”
The short story, “Codemus,” written by Tor Åge Bringsværd in (always give date of story, film, etc.), illustrates how a futuristic society has been organized to maximize efficiency. The city and people operate as parts in a machine: everything has a purpose and all inefficiencies have been eliminated through technology and careful design. Every individual, by law, is equipped with a device called a “Little Brother” that guides them through daily activity. The devices are relied upon in all aspects of life: Little Brothers determine behavior; help owners navigate the city; keep track of responsibilities; act as social companions; and make decisions both big and small. On the surface, this resource allows for an incredible ease of living, as all questions can be answered, entertainment is always available, skills and knowledge do not have to be maintained, and any confusion and uncertainty is eliminated. However, when one Little Brother decides to pursue its own interests and rebel against its owner, Codemus, the advantages of such a device comes into question. Through the detailing of the reliance on technology in this society, Bringsværd suggests that total dependence on technology erodes what it means to be human.
Bringsværed’s critique of the reliance on technology in this story is made evident in the name given to the devices. The name “Little Brother” suggests a familial relationship between the device and its owner. People in this society rely on and interact with the device in the way one might with family members, asking the device questions such as: “What’ll we play?” and “What do you think I should fix for lunch, Little Brother?” (Bringsværd 771). Instead of communicating with family to navigate day-to-day concerns and get advice, the citizens deferr to “Little Brother.”. The humanization of the devices suggests that it has replaced real humans as resources. It has taken away the need for human interaction. There is an irony also communicated in this name. “Little Brother” connotes an inferiority to an older sibling. Younger siblings are often expected to be submissive to older siblings. However, in this story, Codemus is reliant on “Little Brother” as if he is the little brother in their relationship. This suggests that while individuals may think they are superior to and command the technology they use, because of their total dependence on it, it has control over them. Technology has thus taken away individuals’ sense of self-efficacy and freedom. They are unable to operate autonomously when their thinking and behavior is dominated by the advice and instructions of an exterior source.
The extent to which technology has taken away Codemus’s experience of being human is further made evident when Little Brother demands that they go to the city’s park. Doing what he is told, Codemus takes Little Brother there despite the fact that it is not to be visited during the working week. Here, with no one around him, Codemus relaxes and enjoys nature. The peaceful, easiness of the park is described in stark contrast to the busy, overpopulated park on the weekends: “He and little Brother usually had to elbow their way through, searching like animals for a free green space where they could unroll their blanket and sit down” (Bringsværd 774-775). Though Codemus is relaxed, he is “not used to it” (Bringsværd 774) and anxious about being unproductive while everyone is working. He even has a brief moment of guilt: “An uneasy thought flickered for a moment in the back of his head: This isn’t natural. This is wrong ” (Bringsværd 775). Codemus’ concern about being unproductive, and his unusual experience of relaxation and solitude in the park, suggests that technology has created a dependency and an axiety about straying from the societal norms it has created. Technology in this society has made stress, anxiety, and the need to feel useful a societal resting state. His surprising moment of leisure suggests how difficult it must be to relax and enjoy nature on any normal day. Technology has interfered with human’s ability to consider and enjoy the world around them, as Codemus is not totally able to escape the expectations of society.
Codemus’ feeling of guilt over his lack of productivity and enjoyment of the park does not last for very long, however. This is because “he didn’t have a guilty conscience. Codemus didn’t have a conscience at all. It was Little Brother’s job to keep track of right and wrong” (Bringsværd 775). Codemus begins to have an ethical exploration while in the park, but abandons the examination when he remembers that such reflections are not his responsibility. Technology has allowed Codemus to avoid having to make decisions about right and wrong. Wrestling with difficult questions, considering one’s behavior in relation to societal norms, and deciding what one believes to be good and bad is an essential part of identity creation. Technology has prevented Codemus from engaging in this challenging human experience that helps develop and clarify a sense of self.
Not only has Codemus’ dependence on his Little Brother prevented him from developing an ethical code, but also it has interfered with the development of social skills. While in the park a young woman who works for the park approaches him. He invites her to sit down with him, though she declines after her own Little Sister tells her it is not appropriate. Later on, Codemus’ Little Brother asks why Codemus has never been married and tells Codemus to marry the lady they met in the park. The woman, still nearby, hears this conversation and runs away fearfully. Codemus runs after her, chasing her through the park, shouting to her: “Stop…Wait! I only want to marry you” (Bringsværd 777). Codemus struggles to interact with this woman. Without questioning the judgement of his Little Brother or the seriousness of his direction, Codemus pursues this woman. He ignores the cues that suggest she didn’t want to be followed. Codemus has no consideration that he is asking a complete stranger to marry him and no consideration for whether or not she wants to marry him. Codemus’ reliance on his Little Brother to guide his social interactions has prevented him from developing the ability to express himself and understand the behavior of those around him. Engaging with others face-to-face, to develop friendships, learn new things, and communicate needs and desires is a part of how humans operate. Codemus’ reliance on technology has prevented him from engaging in this way and thus his ability to interact with and relate to others on a personal level is impaired.
At the end of the story, Codemus and his Little Brother become separated and Codemus has no idea what to do. He is paralyzed with fear, he has no idea how to get home (Bringsværd 780), and has lost all sense of self: “Codemus felt meaningless. He was as good as dead. He was dead” (Bringsværd 781). Without his Little Brother, Codemus has no ability to care for himself or navigate his world. He feels he is unable to live alone. Codemus’ reliance on his Little Brother eliminated his need to develop human social skills, understand his surroundings, and be self-reliant. When these abilities are most necessary, Codemus is unable to rely upon himself.
Aspects of the technology-dependent society Bringsværd created in this story in 1967 are notably similar to today’s world. Society seems to be entirely reliant on iPhones, GPS, computers, and other digital resources. People navigate and manage their lives from their phones; they wake up to the sound of the ringing of their iphone, they interact with friends on social media apps, they walk and drive to places with the assistance from Google Maps, and can find answers or advice online by just saying: “Hey Siri, tell me…” There is a growing anxiety that people today are losing their sense of individuality and self-reliance because of their dependence on technology. The dominance of technology in the story of “Codemus” and the fate of Codemus himself, suggests that we should be mindful of how we use technology and aware of when it is preventing us from developing as humans. While technology may make our lives more simple and efficient, when it pervades all aspects of life and prevents us from nurturing human qualities and having human experiences we should be wary. Authentic, interpersonal experiences had outside the boundary of our screens give depth to life by helping us find meaningful connections, locate beauty in the world around us, and cultivate skills and qualities needed to adapt to challenge and change.