2081 Discussion

One of the most significant differences between the 2081 short film and the “Harrison Bergeron” short story is that the filmmaker altered Harrison’s declaration of himself as emperor. Instead, Harrison plants a bomb, which may or may not have been real, and a broadcasting signal override device. How does this alteration change the story for you? Why, do you suppose, the filmmaker decided to make this alteration?

What were two other ways the film and book were different?

Which version of the story did you prefer? Explain your answer with thoughtful reasoning.

In our society, we say that we celebrate the success of those who are especially intelligent, talented, or hard-working, yet we often treat exceptional people poorly. Describe a specific case of a standout person being pulled down by others and explain what it teaches us about human nature.

Some parents teach their children that “the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” while others prefer to reinforce the idea that “the nail that sticks up gets hammered down.” Which philosophy holds more truth for you? Give a real-life example from your life, studies, or observations to support your answer.