The Pedestrian - Ray Bradbury

Written over sixty years ago, this Bradbury piece is almost hauntingly relevant. 'The Pedestrian' paints a bleak picture of a future society where social interaction, human bonding and connecting with nature are all replaced by flickering screens as the main, nay only, form of entertainment. Sound familiar?
What similarities do you see in this portrayal of the future and how we live today? Do you think we will ever reach this level of disconnection from each other and nature?
I'd love to read your thoughts!

[@juliebreckenridge4969]

im the only person in the comments that is here from online school. everyone else is all 'i love the narration' and 'the music at the beginning is astounding. i love it'

[@Paritheplatypusss]

gurl same

[@mzbubblegum9157]

lmaooo exactly

[@lauricedjepeno3087]

Saammeee

[@michellegagnonmason5064]

same lol

[@Danimorales]

Someone help me with this assignment 😔

[@matthewrocha2762]

if your here for online school the theme is "society is doomed to fail when technology surpasses and controls humanity"

[@Epicness04]

thank you :)

[@manutd____]

Thanks bro

[@drybokes7055]

Is it not about control ? The use of of technology to monitor and control it's citizens.

[@eitharwahab1766]

I love u.

[@msbanji]

plugggggg

[@sunnyrabit9000]

you know its a great piece when freshman are writing an essay about it in 2020

[@Melody-ys8df]

You know it's even better when a 7th grader's writing about it.

[@ethanisnothere1375]

@@Melody-ys8df ok no need to flex lol

[@Melody-ys8df]

@@ethanisnothere1375 It isn't a flex. I'm just saying it's a great piece of writing. Is that flexing?

[@manutd____]

@@Melody-ys8df what was your assignment about.

[@manutd____]

@@Melody-ys8df I need the answers I’m also in 7th grade

[@priyashmukherjee]

Ray Bradbury was a visionary author who inspired generations of readers with his tales of wonder, hope, and caution. He was a master storyteller whose work continues to be enjoyed today. Bradbury's most famous works include Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, and Something Wicked This Way Comes. His work has had a profound impact on popular culture, and his influence can be seen in everything from science fiction and fantasy to comic books and video games. Bradbury was a true pioneer of the genre, and his work continues to inspire and entertain readers of all ages. Here is a shorter version of his quote: "Live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream." *LOVE FROM INDIA*

[@Lion-kv6tw]

one of the only ones here amazed from his books and short stories and listening to this on my own not for school

[@niriop]

“BUSINESS OR PROFESSION?” “I guess you’d call me a writer.” “NO PROFESSION.”

[@gabesamuels2496]

lmao

[@liltachanka9913]

roasted lol

[@shades8781]

Anyone else supposed to be listening for school but instead aimlessly scrolling through the comments?

[@B33-Animates]

Hey don’t call me out like that-

[@milkybar2978]

i edge to you

[@severalstorieshigh-podcast1074]

Fantastic narration! As a fellow Bradbury fan, I'm so glad to hear his work told so well. Best of luck!

[@kristing7747]

wait i don’t understand it can you explain what the ending means

[@FF-Gamr]

I'm here for...the brilliance of the storytelling. Is that still allowed?

[@Ava-cm2oy]

no you are now going to jail

[@LordHighTorturer]

Get back to your viewing screen citizen!

[@jancerny8109]

By 2050, we'll have the same level of disconnection for everyone with a room and a job. Everyone else will be homeless and shivering, with whatever's left of governmental budgets spent on cops and jails. This story's scenario is nicer than what's coming.

[@kidpickles5417]

Ok lol will there still be legos

[@maxdallimore7238]

@@kidpickles5417 there will be legos when todd howard puts skyrim on russian nukes

[@kidpickles5417]

@@maxdallimore7238 ok

[@katelane3605]

2021,,,it begins...

[@cwtch_acumen]

I'd say singularity at this rate now 😭

[@elissawinsett6355]

was made to read this years ago during highschool. i’ve been graduated for a while now, but i still come back to this story. This one, and “There Will Be Soft Rains” by bradbury are my favorites

[@beealfa886]

Who else is here for online school?

[@rushiljain6541]

Boring School

[@user-fh1mw2dc9t]

I’m here now for online school how ya been?

[@jaydenacosta1450]

😂

[@blarest6726]

Anyone know the theme?

[@ava-uc9rx]

@@blarest6726 isolation I think

[@chesterdays2299]

This is a really outstanding reading of a classic, and oddly appropriate, Bradbury story. Thank you.

[@TahaAk6]

That was a very effective story with a professional narration.

[@keanusalahuddin5616]

This man Ray Bradbury is so ahead of his time .insight to the regime change after you know what

[@KD5HIR]

Now you have that idiot Biden in charge.

[@lydi_boo806]

Bro I’m so confused 😂 I hate getting work when I’m out of school

[@LEXICON-DEVIL]

This audio book sucks thats why. It's a great story but this guy sounds like a jack ass. Harrison Bergeron is great. If you want some crazy dark shit then I suggest "I have no mouth and I must scream". It's like 40min. Just listen to it on a workout.

[@fadhili023]

@@LEXICON-DEVIL HAHAHHAAHAHHA WAIT WHY WAS I THINKING THE SAME THING. I WAS LIKE STFU, YOUR LITERLY NOT A VICTIM, THERES OTHER PERFETIONS LIKE PHOTOGRAPHERS

[@tinotcg5815]

Confused about what?

[@RichardDominguezTheMagicIsReal]

Covid 19 not withstanding the fact that we are all here is a testament to the foresight of this short story

[@ericloraakakidvicious.6346]

Mr. Ray Bradbury, a true Master......

[@evilcockroach54323]

Thank you sir. I could not focus and needed this to not fail my class.

[@tripogata5846]

I love how all of us are here for the same reason

[@tinotcg5815]

I'm just here to listen to a good story

[@marvintanner180]

Great story and narration, thanks Justin!!

[@youstinktv]

“We live in a society where mediocrity is often rewarded” -David Goggins

[@FairhoodMMVIII]

Goggins is hard core

[@emmahacker4020]

I’m here because I read the thing talking about how this was part of the inspiration for Fahrenheit 451 ☺️

[@mr-wiseguy6951]

comment if you came here for English Class! DSHS

[@StoryTimeAudiobooksSTA]

that's me

[@claudineparkinson4038]

I'm here for English as well :)

[@kaddencepadgett2110]

Ughh sadly but yes SRHS

[@moinika1506]

Yep

[@jacqueblacque1668]

yuh

[@petercollins6988]

I think we've already reached that level of disconection, screens, social media, amazon drone delivery, no need to interact with a person anymore, very sad and very dangerous for the not so distant future, (Worried!) ✌🇮🇪

[@angelinapirolo]

The music at the beginning of this is absolutely astonishing and beautifully written. Not to say the narration wasnt amazing, but could you post the music on its own?

[@oreo131313]

Hmm, I'll see if I still have it. If I can track it down I'll post it for sure!

[@angelinapirolo]

Justin James cool beans! Thank you so much

[@mortalwombat7461]

Oh yea the music is absolutely splendid But I didn't ask

[@kristing7747]

what does the ending mean i don’t understand it

[@megalith2159]

The music sounds like it might be by Erik Satie.

[@danielscissorhands]

He wasn't supposed to go out because of the Corona Virus. Lol

[@frankieperk12]

Exactly!

[@_Joo37_]

Crazy timing.

[@fortnitesisfunny5492]

this was uploaded in 2017

[@danielscissorhands]

@@fortnitesisfunny5492 What's your point. You are aware it's a very old story, right? You must have somehow taken my comment seriously. Do you maybe have Asperger's?

[@encryptedjc1772]

danielscissorhands wtf is wrong with you? Are you sure you are ok? Check yourself before checking others.

[@ifingernuns4554]

We read this story in 9th grade and I remember it to this day. I'm now 26 and still remember and love it. We also read "a sound of thunder" if you liked this you'll likely like that story to.

[@MrWalkemDown253]

I'm in 9th right now and I'm doing an assignment on this

[@sobirddyritthiporn7773]

This is such a great video 🙏💕 Thank you so much for reading this story to us.

[@mudskippa8958]

Thank you for this. Wonderful story, perfectly narrated.

[@shaannair8528]

The story hit hard

[@RaviMasand]

Excellent performance. Thank You Justin James.

[@expandterencemckennaandala2816]

I love reading........... unless im forced to do it

[@jeanyzhang3958]

me too

[@huiajkoosmqmkw.kakaoaamama7692]

i enjoyed this story either way

[@SonnySkye]

Who's watching this in isolation?

[@jamescampion8264]

Sonny Skye I have to for school work

[@SonnySkye]

@@jamescampion8264 it's very of the times... and was written how many years ago? hmmmmm makes you wonder.

[@Metallix_YT]

James Campion sane

[@karma6552]

Do you mean hearing this not watching 😏

[@janetcw9808]

Sonny Skye, ME. Try Horror Babble channel 'The Red Plague' as well. Good wishes.

[@smau._]

My absolute favorite piece. 🤍📕

[@fandomewhisper]

I've been referencing this story more and more frequently. I believe brick and mortar businesses will be replaced by warehouses within my lifetime.

[@oreo131313]

Yes, definitely retail businesses at least. Amazon and Alibaba are shaping a new world.

[@fandomewhisper]

Justin James true. But I can even imagine service businesses being portable. There are businesses that deliver restaurant quality food for you to just cook. Next thing will be the chef flown in from France. Delivery massages don't seem too far fetched .

[@libby983]

Am i the only one who cantfocus when at home, like i was supposed to finish my work half an hour ago?

[@edwardthorne9875]

As of 8:00 tonight, it is illegal to be outside in Maryland unless you are buying medicine or groceries. This story gave me the creeps when I read it in middle school. Not as an assignment, but because Ray Bradbury was such a good writer. It has stuck with me for 50+ years. And now, everyone is watching the Corona show on TV, as the government orders the economy virtually shut down. Magazines and books don't sell anymore. And it is now illegal to take a stroll outside in the evening air to look at the stars.

[@DRourk]

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says it is not illegal. Exercise your rights, or you will lose them.

[@katsu-graphics5634]

Read Fahrenheit 451 by Bradbury, it has a semi happy ending, the hero becomes a wanted man living homeless in the park, among friends in the same situation.

[@chazchillings3019]

I went for a walk at midnight. Back in the US. My home country. And the police stopped me and asked serval questions and finally asked if I had any mental disabilities. Hm. No, I don’t. This story has already came true. Now i live and work in asia and lots of people walk about at night. In South Korea the neighborhood parks seem to come alive at 11pm.

[@JenniferRodriguez-jy4qt]

Omg the sound effects! Thanks

[@adencorbin5821]

I had to do read this in 8th grade and i loved it

[@fenthedog]

Prophetic, you can just imagine how lockdowns will end!

[@mega_olivia_y903]

1:00 skip random telephone noizes

[@Melody-ys8df]

you can hear Doland Trump.

[@weirdo3928]

@@Melody-ys8df Doland i-

[@poddd1337]

year 9 online english class!!!!

[@return3116]

Wow. That description is very accurate lol.

[@Whatever_Happy_People]

I love this poem. Thankyou.

[@johnmchugh8049]

God damned genius , we miss you big homie 💔

[@omgjimmyboy]

I’m a minute in this is amazing keep it up bro!

[@theNessavibez]

Listening to this in 2023, where we can evidently see the commencement of AI in many aspects of our daily lives, very scary indeed. I'm not sure what the future holds for humans but I better not be caught on the boring side of things 😂

[@Michael_Blandford]

These kinda videos really do be saving my grades tho🥶

[@branson5494]

fr

[@sandyvichyssoise1231]

0:57 is when the story begins. good luck on your assignments and essays✊. And if you're here purely for pleasure, and not an essay, I envy you

[@BraniusBalki]

You will be back.

[@soslothful]

I have not had a viewing screen for near 27 years.

[@Iwillhelpyou2]

I think it's about the pressures of finding yourself under the strict guidelines of what everyone else is doing. The need to take a step back and out of it. To actual get some fresh air from it all just to see and really see for yourself what's going on.

[@blarest6726]

Even though a lot of us are doing this for online school I think it’s an amazing story well done narrating but does anyone know the fckn theme?

[@donmelbouchard]

Did you figure it out?

[@bradyjones217]

This has to be the stupidest comment I've seen here. You won dumb ass.

[@chrismartinez6844]

Thank you Mr Pasca

[@axiomist1076]

I would be arrested and taken to the loony bin (mental hospital) , like Mr Mead. You see, I got rid of my TV about 15 years ago. No more stupid programs or even more stupid commercials. I refuse to be offended any longer.

[@goldeneddie]

We all need to take a leaf out of your book, resisting the TV trapping us in the house. Have you also managed not to be petrified into staying home, because that's the latest trap.

[@LuvKitKatt]

Exactly

[@LuvKitKatt]

@@goldeneddie !!!!!!!

[@Sabrina-lp6qm]

I was really hoping this would only be like 5 minutes long.. I'm here for school lol

[@smithy0384]

I have to read this for English 2

[@wdowsley]

April 23, 2020, is this spooky or what ? Where will society be in 30 years? Already the kids today are inside kids stuck on the video screens.

[@elphiene]

i cant believe my english homework predicted the corona virus

[@RobDeobald]

Wonderful! 💖

[@oreo131313]

Thanks for listening Rob!

[@lydia8862]

POV:your here because you have school work for it😭😭

[@eugenekanyimo3067]

😂

[@abbylimanni899]

can someone help me, how did the setting effect the story? (it’s for ela) thanks

[@chazchillings3019]

City. No nature. Gray concrete. Tv sounds from neighbor’s home. Artificial electric hum of police car. Metallic light of streetlight. Equal human detach from nature. Smell of steel. Iron voice of police. We are in a prison of our own making.

[@J.S.McDuff]

Australia 2021

[@mailman2310]

Hey James, I'm new to audio engineering. I used your narration of "The Pedestrian" by Ray Bradbury to create a "graphic audio" style audio play as a learning experience. I'd love to send it to you to get your thoughts. Do you have a public contact email I could send it to?

[@darthpangwin1151]

Leonard used to be a writer. Why doesn’t he write anymore? Why has this profession disappeared? What does this tell us about his society can somebody answer this please

[@kensw3991]

Perhaps people in 2053 have stopped reading, less time have been given to, and more time on screen instead

[@E4erZ]

Hey, Im Here From GFHS Online Class,

[@army.aaliyah3368]

i am confusion. 🙂

[@jxxvanni]

thank you ms Calton-Abdullah

[@VeryBeri1]

PLASE READ THIS if you have to write a summary of the video just copy and paste the description

[@libby983]

You have just saved me

[@barbaras2669]

This is based on an incident that happened to Bradbury. He was stopped by a police officer while walking at night and interrogated.

[@kenhollis6197]

Jonathan R. Eller said so, but he was a secondary source. Truthfully, I was stopped one time when I was about 22 years old. I was walking down the street late at night when a cop stopped me and said I "fit the description of a thief in the area." I gave him my ID, he ran it through, saw that I had no criminal record, then let me continue home. Never mind that I had a big bag of weed in my pocket.

[@galactictragedy]

Stuck here because my teacher assigned this. I thought it would be more horror, but oh well. -_-

[@needy2236]

Thank you This saved my life cause you know well I’m not gonna read this

[@Bee-rr3ei]

372 subscribers but 100k views. I guess a few people came from online school huh.

[@weirdo3928]

*Most of my class has left the chat*

[@weirdo3928]

Or should I say, Zoom.

[@arturogaribay5673]

Can some one help find the 8 main points of this story

[@gabbyfisher7112]

Do you still need it lol?

[@chazchillings3019]

Do you still need it?

[@arturogaribay5673]

@@chazchillings3019 no but thank you

[@xloqrdx]

I aint reading this 8 page so I listen to this

[@etsimmerman]

what is the name of the painting and the painter?

[@bicyclebookster6510]

Note that Donald John Trump's Oath of Office is included at the beginning of this.

[@KD5HIR]

Are you one of the millions of other morons who voted for Joseph Stalin Biden by any chance?

[@KD5HIR]

I hope you can still live with yourself three years later.

[@ristella5852]

time to memorise this for english exam in 5 days

[@joejoe8147]

I don’t understand this story, can someone explain it to me?

[@maddyz8686]

Joseph S idk as well

[@relativetruth8889]

Read the short story.

[@KD5HIR]

And people like you are going to be running the country in 20 or so years….. God help us.

[@huiajkoosmqmkw.kakaoaamama7692]

Jesus Christ.

[@christopherellis2663]

The Pedestrian, killed off by the Cyclust? Wristwatch? 😝

[@HAYERARAJ]

Scary and so real 😒

[@Vas0011]

I’m here for school, what’s the music tho?? It sounds rly nice

[@jooooiii8301]

thank you bro, i was not finna read all ts 💀💀

[@MotivateYouthToday]

anyone else is here for online school? (2020)

[@Ineedhelpig1082]

To answer you final question, I think we already have...

[@oreo131313]

Ha maybe to an extent but it's not THAT bad yet is it? A few of us still enjoy going outside

[@Ineedhelpig1082]

Justin James I guess, but the other day, my English teacher said that she saw an ad for a WALL TV. Remind you of another literary masterpiece that was written by Bradbury? (Fahrenheit 451)

[@relativetruth8889]

ff to lockdown... 2020. "... sir what are you doing out?... you can't walk for walkings sake. Your government wants you safe, please come with us... "

[@lespaular]

i can hear Donald Trump say "faintly execute..." also John Wane in one of his movie quotes

[@travis9260]

wayne*

[@robertsimon-sween2673]

HAHAHAHAHAH I HEARD IT TOO CRAY

[@KD5HIR]

No, that’s just your retarded president Biden.

[@vibezz127]

This story is AMAZING This video came from my teacher name, - MS Taylor Mcgee I also came here from english class, who else? My real name is Alejandro nunez Morales

[@oliviag2823]

anyone know the message to society

[@lindylou5922]

Yep! This is where we are heading & fast, if people don’t wake the Fcuk up to the agenda!🥺

[@lukebell9945]

Whats the background music???

[@oreo131313]

I composed it for this. It doesn't have a name yet. Any suggestions?

[@benjaminking3677]

Chill November Night

[@robertsimon-sween2673]

maybe not...

[@robertsimon-sween2673]

@@benjaminking3677 i can think of better

[@robertsimon-sween2673]

@@benjaminking3677 wanna duel? sir

[@leomazzola27]

whats the music lol its so good

[@o_ber]

awesome

[@yourejoking905]

I’m so confused

[@GBGZAY]

Tell me why I’m here and I got to right a essay for this in 7th grade

[@camiloirala3811]

What does it mean the "cop´s" appearance?

[@jr7teen]

whats the song used?

[@robertsimon-sween2673]

my song i write it

[@kyleflannery9202]

2:35

[@youknowwhatthisis2813]

why would anyone send an email in JUNE?

[@katilynjoyce2265]

Bruh I’m just listening to different Ray Bradbury story’s/books

[@jaydenacosta1450]

i came from school