"And the trees were all kept equal - by hatchet, axe, and saw."

Damn that was a brutal one, and the way they just abruptly ended it like that…

Twilight Zone: "Don't do these things".
Humanity: "challenge accepted"

Government do not want critical thinkers and people of high intelligence, as they are a threat to the authoritarian system. Very prophetic episode of the twilight Zone. Authoritarianism needs people who never critically think or question the system.

This one gave me chills as a kid. Actually they all gave me chills as a kid. I remember being 8 years old and this episode really haunted me.

Probably the most chilling phone call in the entire series

The tragedy here is that in the far future, we still have those shitty window blinds.

This gives "don't be a smart ass" a whole new meaning.

With all that is happening in the educational system, this episode of the Twilight Zone always springs to mind. What was Science Fiction some 30 years ago is sadly, quickly becoming a reality. This episode should be viewed at every PTA meeting...

I read this short-story when I was in 9th grade. Shout out to my 9th grade English teacher, Ms. Ortner.

That’s why you should never tell anyone your birthday wish.

Idiocracy is more believable, but this is a nice twist on the eye of the beholder...

When I was about 8 years old, I read this exact story in a children's magazine in my school. Allowing it to be read by children was a mistake or an act of defiance by someone.

I never forgot it and spent the rest of my life keeping my guard up.

There's an foreboding undertone thoughout the fake smiles of this Episode that ends with a punch 👊 in the gut .

remember when plasma balls on the set of a tv program would automatically indicate it was the future?

As a kid watching these, there were a few episodes that just stuck with me my entire life.  This episode is one and the one with the stopwatch.  (The missile at the end freaked me out)

Are we in the twilight zone these days?  GEtting closer...

The little boy is really sweet & I like the actors playing the parents.  Very ironic & sad story.

I remember watching this episode when I was a very young mother and feeling gut-punched by the ending. It hits just as hard now. We are living in a dystopian nightmare where truth and free-thinking is censored, and a low-moral compass is celebrated. That Rod Serling was ahead of his time.