MAL-adaptive

Reading the second assigned section of Feed (M.T. Anderson), about 75 pages, went faster than the first 150 pages. More of a story developed, especially around and with Violet. It is Titus’ perspective, though, so when it is not dialogue between them the viewpoint is his thoughts and reactions. Much of the story seems to go back and forth between what society wants people to think and do, perpetuated through the feed and especially the trends portrayed by some of Titus’ female friends. 

One trend in particular that seems to be growing are the lesions. When I first read it, I thought it might be equal to acne. As the story has progressed, though, there has been mentions in news reports that lesions are not a reaction to anything. That last part makes me go “hmmmm….” 

Of course, to make it more socially acceptable, movie and TV stars begin to show their lesions, and it becomes trendy. People stop worrying and instead want to show off lesions. It doesn’t stop there. The next trend is some type of surgery to add fake lesions with real cuts. Somehow, having lesions is “sexy,” and one of the girls decides to outdo another and get them all over her body, partially in the hope of attracting a guy. They are all a part of the same social circle and the guy, Link, tends to be an attraction to all of the girls. Even Violet. 

When Violet tells Titus that she felt that attraction at first, even though Link is ugly, Titus doesn’t seem to understand. I like it when they have conversations about those types of topics. Maybe because it seems a little bit more normal than watching images in your head. Of course, that is if they are fully human. As Violet continues to break down the reader learns more about how the feed developed in the first place.

*Star Trek alert* Out of all the Star Trek TV shows, The Next Generation is my favorite. This book reminds me of Data. The difference is that Data looks human and everyone knows he is an android. He did have a brother that had an emotions chip, and that chip made the brother crazy. Data has to learn about the world similar to a child – by asking a lot of questions and then processing the answers. Computer processing, in his case. Data definitely grows as a character.

The characters in Feed are almost more like the Borg, where they begin in one form and assimilate to the group. Violet is the one trying to break this chain, and Titus seems caught. He likes learning what Violet teaches him, yet he wants to be a part of the social norm. Titus is embarrassed or mad about Violet’s outbursts, even though he knows she is broken. Is that a dig at mental illness? Either way, the relationship cannot be perfect anymore. Will they even stay together or be friends? Is this what is meant by “coming into your own?"