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Billionaires See VR as a Way to Avoid Radical Social Change
- AndrewBissell 6y agoA commentator I follow pretty closely sometimes says that the ultimate ambition for the ruling class is to corral the vast majority of humanity into an isolated technological prison, where the gaps created by the absence of community, nature, and purpose will be filled with endless digital content, and the elites get to enjoy what's left of nature. A little surprising to see someone like Carmack come right out and say yes, that's the idea!
- hindsightbias 6y agoThe elite will care more about a virtual reality where there is no taxation than nature.
- qndreoi 6y agoAS Mencken said: "Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy." Too many people would be upset if we had a fantasy land where people they don't approve of could be happy.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- anigbrowl 6y agoNot sure if this is a misunderstanding or conscious misrepresentation of the article, but either way it misses the mark.
- qndreoi 6y ago1) Billionaires would love if the poors were distracted. 2) Religious bigots would be upset if Gays or Muslims or atheists were ever happy. Thus fact two will prevent the first group from getting their way.
- nabla9 6y agoNothing new under the sun. Ancient Roman politicians did the same. panem et circenses (bread and circuses", "bread and games") was the term Decimus Junius Juvenalis used to describe this practice. Juvenal, Satire 10.77–81: "Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses."
- AndrewBissell 6y agoI was reminded of Frank Zappa's "I Am the Slime" (about television): You will obey me while I lead you And eat the garbage that I feed you Until the day that we don't need you Don't go for help ... No one will heed you Your mind is totally controlled It has been stuffed into my mold And you will do as you are told Until the rights to you are sold