Very Sophisticated

1. [sworm]

   We aren’t being “increasingly” bombarded with pseudo-realities. The boundary between reality and fiction has always been fuzzy. Religion is the prime example. An institutionalised fairy tale, that for a long time was the ONLY reality.

   If anything, modern human beings are more rooted in reality than ever before, because from an early age we are exposed to media fiction. We are all much more cynical, distrusting and sceptical than ever before. Which isn’t necessarily good or bad. It’s just different than before.

   Besides overestimating the power of the media and underestimating the audience, I think Dick is also slightly paranoid to think that those in the media even have a coherent motive. For the most part there is just chaos. And like a 5 year old looking at static on the TV for too long, Dick sees patterns and shapes. Like people who have a near death experience these patterns and shapes are influenced by his cultural background.

   Which is why he was a good writer: because he has an imagination. Sometimes I think it would be better if some people would be a bit more out of touch with reality. Not that any of us will ever have a full understanding of the truth, if it(they) even exists.

2. [Anonymous]

   Since many readers of boingboing are likely familiar with the singularity concept, has it ever occurred to those who are skeptical or scared of emerging pseudo-realities or hyper-realities or whatever non-normative reality is seen as the most recently emergent, is simply the emergent reality that will define the coming singularity. After all, reality is inherently malleable and in no way fixed. As our perspective changes so does reality.

3. [Sean Blueart]

   One theory asserts that what’s real is human need, which includes the very real needs for interdependence, beauty, fairness, appreciation, love and, clearly, a need for some way to have a spiritual connection to the universe which may include meaning and inspiration. One can label any given model a “fairy tale” if that meets your need for honesty or balance, but that doesn’t make religious thought or practices false in any significant sense.

   New psuedo-realities and the very exciting refinement of technology arise out of the very same needs. In that sense, there’s absolutely nothing particularly revolutionary about these “new” strategies. I’m guessing that thinking about them as promising or revolutionary, even if that be a romantic dystopianism, meets a basic human needs for hope, challenge, and intrigue.

4. [Muthaz]

   But the perception of reality is also enhanced by our personal interpretation of the ‘fairy tale’, emergent reality or static on the tv. the idea of a ‘law of unintended consequences’ is just a weak statement of something that should sound more solipsistic, like “you don’t get to determine what i think, i get to determine that, regardless of everyone else’s idea of what’s real, so don’t place your bets so quickly”.

5. [erzatsen]

   was Dick ever able to write anything that wasn’t “Am I me?”

6. [Sean Blueart]

   MUTHAZ; I’m having a hard time considering what you’re saying, and I’d really like to get it. I’m feeling confused. Would you be willing to clarify, or re-state your point in different terms?

7. [Sean Blueart]

   This is one smokin’ philosophical discussion! For a second there I thought I was watching a Japanese Bullet-Train pass by.

8. [Jesse Ryder]

   you don’t get to determine what i think,
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9. [Jesse Ryder]

   After all, reality is inherently malleable and in no way fixed.
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10. [Jesse Ryder]

    was Dick ever able to write anything that wasn’t “Am I me?
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