Author Bradbury interviewed live at Adams State (11-30-07)
Author Ray Bradbury was interviewed live via technology at Adams State Nov. 15.
"There's no such thing as censorship in the U.S.," declared Ray Bradbury during a live conference call interview at Adams State. His 1953 book "Fahrenheit 451" has become a standard-bearer for free speech. "There are so many different groups that they all control each other and make sure we publish everything," Bradbury explained.
He discussed his career at the Nov. 15 event, "Ask Ray Bradbury," a part of Adams State College's Big Read Project centering on "Fahrenheit 451." College and high school students, campus and community members packed the Adams State Theatre, eager to hear the 87-year-old author's reflections and opinions. The conversation ranged from Bradbury's early influences to his thoughts on education, technology, and censorship. Also participating were audiences from other Big Read sites at libraries in New York, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.
"In the last few years, Mr. Bradbury has done very few public events," noted Dr. John Taylor, theatre professor and coordinator of the Big Read at Adams State. "Our live teleconference was a rare opportunity to interact with one of the most significant American writers of the 20th century in the twilight of his career. It was something we will always remember."
The National Endowment for the Arts selected Adams State College and the San Luis Valley to be among 117 organizations and communities funded through the Big Read initiative, designed to revitalize the role of literary reading in American popular culture. Continuing through April, Adams State's Fahrenheit 451 Project explores the book's depiction of a world where reading is prohibited and firemen burn books. The project includes such events as a banned book film series, book clubs, art exhibitions, concerts, lectures, and a theater production running from April 25 to May 4.
More relevant than ever, "Fahrenheit 451" has achieved the rare distinction of being both a literary classic and a perennial best seller. Selling upwards of 50,000 copies a year, it has become a touchstone around the world for readers and writers living under repressive regimes. In 2004, Bradbury received the National Medal of Arts, a presidential award administered by the NEA recognizing "his gift for language, his insights into the human condition, and his commitment to the freedom of the individual."
Love for libraries
Bradbury wrote "Fahrenheit 541" in nine days, alarmed by threats to books and libraries. At age 15, he was deeply affected by Hitler's book burnings in Berlin. He soon learned of the burning of the Alexandria library 5,000 years ago and other such historical incidents.
"Book burning is an attempt to control the mind. If it could happen in Alexandria, if it could happen in Berlin, maybe it could happen somewhere up ahead, and my heroes would be killed," he said. "I grew up with libraries. I learned to read at age 3-4 and fell in love with libraries. I preferred teaching myself; I didn't like school rules.
"I have loved librarians, booksellers, and English teachers all my life." In fact, he and his wife met at the bookstore where she worked. Bradbury's favorite books as a youth were Edward Rice Burroughs' "Tarzan," and L. Frank Baum's Oz books. He began writing at age 12, and his first stories were "sequels" to fairy tales. At age 17 he discovered the Los Angeles Science Fiction Society and developed a close relationship with famed science fiction writer, Robert A. Heinlein.
"He took me under his wing; we shared our stories. I am what I am because of Robert Heinlein."
Asked to name the five people he'd like to "meet in heaven," Bradbury put Charles Dickens at the top of his list.
"'A Christmas Carol' affected me all my life."
He also cited Mark Twain, Jules Verne, Orson Welles, and Burroughs. "Because of them - all their imaginations - I became the writer I am."
Critical of electronic media's pervasiveness in society today, to the detriment of reading, he said such technology would definitely be an influence were he to write "Fahrenheit 451" today. Nevertheless, he remains intrigued by science and fantasy. Referencing his second book, "The Martian Chronicles," he said he'd like to go to Mars, "even if it were only my ashes in a soup can. . ."
Bradbury continues to write prolifically, with 85 books behind him, as well as short stories, poetry, and several film adaptations of his works.
"Everything inspires. I explode with ideas. I do not brood."
ASC Fahrenheit 451 project
NEA The Big Read
By Julie Waechter
