"Amusing ourselves to death" - Neil Postman
Posted by Still-Improvement-32@reddit | collapse | View on Reddit | 34 comments
Relates to collapse because this is a good example of what vast numbers of people resort to just to cope with surviving in todays dysfunctional world. BBC News - Power-washing, pool-cleaning and mowing: Why millions are playing games about mundane jobs
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj60r2kdnw1o
ZenApe@reddit
The death is coming either way, why not amuse ourselves until it gets here?
Ok_Main3273@reddit
My first reaction when reading the BBC piece was one of shock, disbelief and 'OMG! People are so stupid.' I was an avid gamer back in my days so, yes, give me Doom, DukeNukem, Quake 1 & 2, Total Annihilation, Ghost Recon I or Half Life any day (setting up my credentials here... and my age LOL). But mowing lawns, washing motel walls or cleaning pools, really???! How can modern gamers be so brainless?
However, upon perusing the article closer, you might notice the following assertions.
This is when this news gets darker, in my opinion, because the success of those games might actually demonstrate that so many people are exhausted, dealing with overwhelming stress, and desperately in need of something more than just 'escapism'.
Gaming was a way for me to feel all pumped up by engaging in combat with the clever coding via the final boss or laughing with my friends in intense Counter Strike multiplayer sessions. It appears that gaming might have become the new Valium instead....
Cultural-Answer-321@reddit
People had other hobbies at one time, but most hobbies priced themselves out reach of the average person.
knucklepoetry@reddit
The book is actually about the mismatch of what mass media is and what we want it to be. All we can do with moving picture is to be amazed. No real education to be had. The revolution will not be televised
Cultural-Answer-321@reddit
The revolution will not be right back
After a message about a white tornado
White lightning, or white people
You will not have to worry about a dove in your bedroom
The tiger in your tank, or the giant in your toilet bowl
The revolution will not go better with Coke
The revolution will not fight germs that may cause bad breath
The revolution will put you in the driver's seat
kerelsk@reddit
Thanks, I never realized this was first made by Gil Scott-Heron, just heard it as a slogan
Mmillefolium@reddit
i often say we are entertaining ourselves to death. in Toronto there is a big film industry and many people make good comfortable living off of it. I worked in a cafe that was rented out for a literal second blip of a Roger's commercial for 10k. they also paid to have the cafe logo removed and reinstalled after the shoot. on top of rental fee, there was a fleet of camera directors lighting makeup stylists and the neurotic art department. God knows how much in equipment. then we had a feast of incredible salmon etc. when I saw the commercial and nearly missed the second of the scene I staffed, I was blown away how much resources are diverted to spectacles on the screen. and so very much of it is total garbage. I benefited from that 1 second but can't we stop with the funding of distraction spectacles and just help a single mom out instead? 😭 or clean up the rivers ravines food systems etc etc. we are in hell and it's heating up fast.
Cultural-Answer-321@reddit
Stunning isn't it?
ThrowRArush2112@reddit
It's a speck compared to how much is wasted on defense. Trust me on that one.
Cultural-Answer-321@reddit
Oh I know.
Mmillefolium@reddit
the lives and creativity and resources devoted to... distraction industry
manymasters@reddit
when we as working class peasants have spent our entire lives working for not enough money, it becomes what many of us "want" to do even in our leisure because imagining another sort of world (and the work it takes to make one) is much, much more difficult
refusemouth@reddit
That was a good book. I read it for communications law class many years ago. There's definitely some prescient shit in there. At the time, not everyone was onto it, but now it's glaringly obvious the results of our "infotainment" media shift.
shatners_bassoon123@reddit
I'd like to re-read it but don't have it anymore. I bet it feels quite quaint in the social media age.
danknerd@reddit
Maybe. Though it was published decades before SM.
MaestroLogical@reddit
I just read it last year for the first time and it's an interesting read for sure but he was unable to really see what was coming.
He actually thought 'micro-computers' (what he called PC's) were a fad that wouldn't last. The main focus was on TV and the emerging cable shows (500 channels and nothing to watch). I don't even recall video games being mentioned.
backmost@reddit
Amused to Death by Roger Waters is one of his best solo albums
mechakiwizilla@reddit
The games are actually fun, it's ok to enjoy things people.
Still-Improvement-32@reddit (OP)
I'd suggest reading the book but I suspect reading isn't your thing.
mechakiwizilla@reddit
Damn no need to be hostile
DawnPatrol99@reddit
The first game was Pong, it's always been a thing.
escfantasy@reddit
I only played the prequel, Ping.
klcrouch@reddit
Power wash is my guilty pleasure VR game. Love it.
Potential-Profit1151@reddit
I dont have it on vr (can't do vr bc migraines) but same on the guilty pleasure front
Konradleijon@reddit
I relate
Konradleijon@reddit
I do it it’s the opioids of the masses
Solo_Camping_Girl@reddit
Well, if there's nothing else to do but wait for the inevitable, might as well entertain ourselves than to watch the polar caps melt.
CzIitz@reddit
Im here for a good time, not a long time.
TyrKiyote@reddit
The regulars have discovered simulator games and dont fully understand novelty.
Games are an escapism, sure, but they are reading pretty hard into the genre.
TofuLordSeitan666@reddit
I think they are more talking about that weird subgenre of simulators I guess we're calling job simulators nowadays.
It's not like driving a truck or plane or train or boat. You are literally playing at basic low skilled work. This is very specifically prevalent in VR so you might not be aware it, and young children are the primary consumers of this.
upandtotheleftplease@reddit
Unofficial title: "American Culture"
Grand-Page-1180@reddit
I'm a gamer from a different time, if I wanted to be bored, why not do a real menial job and get paid for it?
StatementBot@reddit
The following submission statement was provided by /u/Still-Improvement-32:
To borrow a famous phrase, "for evil to triumph, all is needed is for good men to do nothing" or play video games instead!
Please reply to OP's comment here: https://old.reddit.com/r/collapse/comments/1scb1f5/amusing_ourselves_to_death_neil_postman/oe9zd47/
Still-Improvement-32@reddit (OP)
To borrow a famous phrase, "for evil to triumph, all is needed is for good men to do nothing" or play video games instead!