Thoreau Essay, Research Paper

As I sit in front of the computer typing this essay I can only think of how Thoreau s ideas seemed flawed. Word processing programs on the computer have greatly decreased the time needed to create a document. I can write faster and more legibly with a word processor than by hand. Not only that with a computer you have a clean sheet of paper instead of one ruined by mistakes that are bound to happen if written by hand. Technologically only drives the pace of people in Thoreau s time people they were not accustomed to the speed to which society moved. But today it would be hard to imagine a letter that did not reach its destination in a few days. None of these technologies are forced upon the people. We choose which devices we use and can control how much of our lives they affect.

Thoreau s main idea is that the luxuries of life distract us from advancing intellectually. He believes that to find the higher meaning for life people must simplify their lives. Thoreau finds it a necessity to be isolated from all luxury in order to think and truly live. His main theme is that you can only experience life by simplifying what you need to make it through a day. Thoreau sees technology as a guide. This guide makes people do what it wants instead of looking within themselves for answers. However some of the luxuries of life he takes for granted does not apply for everyone. What one person finds luxurious might be necessity for another. Certain luxuries can be done away with but many make the goal exploring within oneself possible.