I like to think that, as a young college student, I am open to the ideas of people from all walks of life. I do my best not to judge others' beliefs and, if I must, I like to think that I have made my judgements only after seeing enough evidence that the idea is wrong. I like to think that that was the process that I took when reading Dr. Edward Castronova's work of speculative nonfiction,
Exodus to the Virtual World.
Dr. Castronova's prediction, which he carries and explains in depth throughout the book, is that within the next few decades, people will begin to migrate in great numbers to virtual worlds. In these virtual worlds, people will go through the same motions that they would in "reality", essentially, without ever having to leave their homes. Eventually, virtual worlds will become the "new frontier", where everyone who is anyone will "live".
I disagree to the greatest extent possible.
I am the kind of person who believes that there is nothing better than a good face-to-face conversation with someone that you care about. For me, and I am sure that there are others out there like me, virtual worlds and avatars do not fulfill that need for physical contact and close proximity. I cannot foresee millions of people entering virtual worlds to eat, sleep and live.
I do understand that there are many people today who are already deeply involved in virtual worlds. I am not one of these people. Perhaps, because of this, I am biased against such worlds. I would much rather spend my time talking with my friends or furthering my education (getting my parents' money's worth).
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| This will not be lost anytime soon. |
Some would argue that this migration is not for my generation, but for the generation after mine. I would still stand by my disagreement. I have two younger cousins, aged 7 and 10, who I see on a fairly regular basis when I am at home. While the two young girls certainly enjoy playing with video games or watching television more than I did when I was their age, as soon as I walk into the room they immediately want to play with me and talk to me...real conversation.
I think that Castronova's point is definitely a valid one that should be taken into consideration amongst people in the academic and economic world. However, I do not agree with his idea of a Great Migration into virtual worlds. We're social creatures, and we will remain in need of physical social interaction for as long as we are around.
I don't agree with Castronova either. I think that his claim is perhaps more of an attention-grabber than a reality. His claim is certainly a good one to sell.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to your comment about your younger cousins-- I also have three younger brothers, two of which are in 4th grade and kindergarten. I know that both of them enjoy playing video games. (The 4th grader frequently plays Call of Duty.) However, I agree with your point that they're still primarily more interested in doing something else, something real.
I think that our bias as successful college individuals also blinds us from other populations that use games to escape from their circumstance.
I have to agree with you here. I don't see Castronova's vision of the future becoming a reality either. It seems far fetched and I find some of his claims and evidence to be extremely problematic. I think a complete exodus to the virtual world would be a terrible thing for human interaction. Like you said, physical space matters immensely. We already have enough of a virtual presence and I don't think the reality of the physical world can be escaped to the extent that Castronova expresses.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be surprised that I agree with you as well. Virtual worlds evangelists like to tout inevitability. I can see the value of using these spaces to simulate what is not possible in real life (exploring a simulation of the Library of Alexandria or the inside of the human heart) for for fun.
ReplyDeleteBut as a place to live? I prefer using all five senses. It will be one of those technological will-o-wisps like AI, in my opinion.
I'll be quoting some of your blogs--anonymously--in my own. I'm of the opinion that Millennials are, on the whole, repelled by these spaces and would, for online contact, prefer to interact with known parties through social networks.
They may do so excessively, but it may be healthier than many hours spent in Second Life or WoW.
BTW, Mike hits a three-pointer for his remark.
ReplyDeleteUR students are very often members of supportive and loving families. On a less positive side, I've found many of them sheltered. I make no claims about any particular class-members. As a result, in class after class, I find that students cannot imagine what Emerson called "the quiet desperation" of many workers and older folks, not to mention disaffected teens, who seek out these worlds for escape from dead-end jobs they cannot afford to quit, failed or boring relationships they are afraid to leave, or dreadful places where they must live (our suburban landscapes, to me, are often hellish consumerist wastelands little better than those in Feed).
But I have the option to live in a walkable neighborhood and enjoy a reasonably affluent life--so perhaps I'm sheltered too from harsh realities that affect tens of millions in the US alone. Thus, my time in virtual worlds amounts to a few hours per week and is related to my research.