3 ms·

DFW predicted the rise of an entertainment so engrossing that people lost interest in doing anything else[1]. From bookworms to couch potatoes to video game ad

DFW predicted the rise of an entertainment so engrossing that people lost interest in doing anything else[1]. From bookworms to couch potatoes to video game addiction[2], we have seen ever-enriched simulations develop over the last few hundred years. People are already dying from neglecting their "meatspace" selves[3]; this will only increase in popularity. This does give some hint as to what people will "do" post-singularity[4]. 1: Infinite Jest 2: Videgame Addiction was rejected from the next DSM, but I believe that we will see a form of it added within our lifetimes. 3: This has been happening for almost ten years: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4137782.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4137782.stm 4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-scarcity_economy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-scarcity_economy

stock_toaster 14y ago
I am speaking more of direct sensory based shock, at "dying" or fear (horror genre), as apposed to "neglecting meatspace concerns".
mtgx 14y ago
Like it or not, that may be the future, where we're always "plugged in". We already do that with the Internet. We may even feel physical pain from not being able to access the Internet for a few days, and dearly "miss" it. I imagine this sort of feeling will only become more powerful as technology becomes more advanced, more connected, and more realistic. But I don't think it's all bad. I think it will help with so many things we aren't even foreseeing yet.
antiterra 14y ago
I think "The Entertainment" from Infinite Jest was an exaggeration rather than a direct prediction. I mean, a single glance at the screen would freeze someone in place and make one willing to cut off the fingers of another in order to continue watching. "The Entertainment" was also entirely non-interactive and non-social, whereas Starcraft and MMOs have strong interactive elements. Far more interesting was the bit about the rise and fall of video chat, where people became so self-conscious about their appearance they eventually altered or covered them up before returning to audio-only. Kottke brought this up in relation to Facetime[1]. http://kottke.org/10/06/david-foster-wallace-on-iphone-4s-facetime http://kottke.org/10/06/david-foster-wallace-on-iphone-4s-fa...
waterlesscloud 14y ago
The first solid MMORPG for this will be worth billions.

stock_toaster 14y ago

I am speaking more of direct sensory based shock, at "dying" or fear (horror genre), as apposed to "neglecting meatspace concerns".

mtgx 14y ago

Like it or not, that may be the future, where we're always "plugged in". We already do that with the Internet. We may even feel physical pain from not being able to access the Internet for a few days, and dearly "miss" it. I imagine this sort of feeling will only become more powerful as technology becomes more advanced, more connected, and more realistic. But I don't think it's all bad. I think it will help with so many things we aren't even foreseeing yet.

antiterra 14y ago

I think "The Entertainment" from Infinite Jest was an exaggeration rather than a direct prediction. I mean, a single glance at the screen would freeze someone in place and make one willing to cut off the fingers of another in order to continue watching. "The Entertainment" was also entirely non-interactive and non-social, whereas Starcraft and MMOs have strong interactive elements. Far more interesting was the bit about the rise and fall of video chat, where people became so self-conscious about their appearance they eventually altered or covered them up before returning to audio-only. Kottke brought this up in relation to Facetime[1]. http://kottke.org/10/06/david-foster-wallace-on-iphone-4s-facetime http://kottke.org/10/06/david-foster-wallace-on-iphone-4s-fa...

waterlesscloud 14y ago

The first solid MMORPG for this will be worth billions.