In Ray Bradbury's short story "The Pedestrian," Leonard Mead is depicted as a character who resists the pervasive obsession with technology in a dystopian society. While the world around him is engulfed by a culture of entertainment delivered through screens, where individuals are isolated and engrossed in their homes, Mead finds joy and value in simple pleasures, such as walking outside and observing the night. He enjoys the beauty of the world and the act of engaging with his environment, in stark contrast to the rest of society, which is glued to their television screens.
Mead’s response to the technological obsession is one of defiance and solitude; he cherishes human experiences and genuine interactions with the world. However, his behavior is seen as abnormal in this society, where such activities have become obsolete.
The resolution of the story culminates when Mead is stopped by a police car while he is out walking, as his activity is deemed suspicious in this highly controlled environment. The police officer's interrogation highlights the intense regulation and conformity of the society. Ultimately, Mead is taken away for his “crime” of being a pedestrian, symbolic of the punishment for deviating from societal norms focused on technology. The story ends on a note of resignation, with Mead being ushered away to an uncertain fate, underscoring the bleakness of a world where humanity has been sacrificed for technological conformity.