This Virtual Life: Escapism and Simulation in Our Media WorldFusion, 2001 - 275 pages As the media becomes more sophisticated and lifelike, we spend more and moreime in front of television screens. Distinguished psychologist Andrew Evansxamines this warping of reality, and asks where such a path will lead us.;he 21st century presents serious challenges to us all. However, our childrenre growing up thinking the world can be saved by super-heroes, crashedlanes start again at the flick of a switch and people come back to life forhe next round. The author looks at the effects of this distortion of reality.aybe our need to escape the boredom and routine of every day life is beingxploited by the companies who make money by selling us fantasy andimulation. From humour and comedy, to science fiction and computer games,vans examines the variety of distractions available to take our minds offhe daily grind. But how does this new media affect today's children? Whatill be their future tomorrow? And have we become so reliant on escapistantasy that reality can no longer be faced? |
Contents
Foreword by Jerry Sadowitz | 1 |
Healthy and Unhealthy Escapism | 4 |
Perception and Representation | 15 |
Copyright | |
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actually addiction animals artificial intelligence artists avatar become behaviour brain cartoons cent collecting comedians comedy computer games conscious considered convergence created creative culture cyber cybersex cyberspace Doc Daneeka Douglas Rushkoff dreams drugs effect emotional entertainment environment escapism escapist activities escapist characters experience exploration fact fantasy fear feel film Freud future global Heim human humour idea illusion images imagination increasingly individual instance intelligence interaction Internet Jerry Sadowitz jokes kind literature live machines magic magician Michael Heim Mitty nature Oblomov Peer Gynt perception person physical play players potential problems procrastination programme psychologists real world realistic robots self-actualisation sense simply simulated social society sophisticated spin surveillance television teleworking theory things truth users virtual reality virtual worlds Walter Mitty Woody Allen Yossarian