One of the greatest science fiction writers of all time, Isaac Asimov , created a series of books about the future and robots. One of his themes was that humans colonized other planets. Those planets became richer and more technologically advanced than Earth.
People on these less densely populated planets relied on robot labor and avoid human interaction. I think our own society has been showing these same tendencies. Young people are dating less and having sex less. We communicate via Instagram, Facebook and Skype. I think this virus is speeding up this social distancing. People who would never consider using a video service have no choice now. We are learning how to work from home, how to shop from home and order food from home. Sure when this "stay safe, stay at home " quarantine ends we will return to our old routines but it only takes 30 days to create a new habit.
People will say, "Why are we going to the office five days a week? Why do I need to go to the store? Grandma is turning 75 this week let's set up a Skye with the family." Social distancing will continue. Now add in virtual reality, advanced computer games and a guaranteed living wage and we will become the Matrix. Not the unwilling batteries for the computers like in the movie but willing blobs that don't take care of their physical body and spend all day online working on their virtual image.
Reality will become what you want it to be...but it won't be real. Actual human interaction will be disdained as something the poor are left with. Don't take off your 3D glasses you will see the over-heated, over polluted real world.
Hook me up and plug me in so I can live my fantasy. Ready Player One.
the only good coming from this is there's right now less pollution on the planet. sure it won't last but it was nice to see for a while. this virus was merely the dress rehearsal for what we will all have to do as a planet for climate change
ReplyDeleteI don't want to be around for that reality.
DeleteI liked Asimov, but feel some of his stuff is a bit over-rated. Robert Heinlein was always my go to guy for cutting edge sci-fi.
ReplyDeleteI never read Robert Heinlein. I think Asimov's later stuff dragged on his stories a bit too much but over all I think he was future thinking for his time.
DeleteI've never had a cell phone, my dad doesn't have one either and he doesn't have a computer. I doubt he could learn to use one. He gets mad when he tries to order pizza over the phone and is told you have to order it online. lol
ReplyDeleteWell you may find yourself changing to keep up with your daughter.
DeleteMy Blog Buddy...
ReplyDeleteYou may have something correct.. as we go toward the 2030s....
Possibilities Abound
I hope I am not around to see it.
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