Thursday Thoughts - 08/17/2023
Here are my Thursday Thoughts, a short list of the most interesting things that I’ve read, heard, and/or watched over the past week.
vr goggles by Stable Diffusion Dream Studio SDXL 1.0
What I Read:
Ready Player One
Ready Player One is a science fiction novel about the hunt for “easter eggs” inside a virtual reality (VR) simulation. The story was adapted into a blockbuster movie directed by Steven Spielberg in 2018. Some of today’s VR technology was inspired by this novel.
What struck me most about the book wasn’t so much its portrayal of VR or the metaverse, but its comments on culture. I found it fascinating that one individual could sway an entire generation of kids in 2045 to become engrossed in 1980s American nerd culture. The approach seemed like such an overt way to dictate what’s considered ‘cool.’ The gunters aren’t experiencing genuine nostalgia. Instead, they’re absorbing this bygone era because it offers them the chance to win billions and gain control of the OASIS metaverse.
After discussing this topic with ChatGPT, I realized that older generations influencing younger ones is not a new phenomenon. Often, executives and producers well into their middle age dictate the cultural norms for teens by determining the movies, TV shows, music, and fashion that becomes popular. However, the influence in Ready Player One felt more direct and conspicuous to me.
How to Read: Lots of Inputs and a Strong Filter
This short essay emphasized the idea that we don’t have to finish everything we read. As highlighted by the author, Morgan Housel, this wisdom isn’t restricted to books alone. It’s an insightful life philosophy: explore broadly but hone in deeply on a select few. This piece served as a timely reminder for me to embrace this approach.
What I Tried:
Scharffen Berger Chocolate Provisions Gift Pack
My wife gifted this to me for my birthday. So far, I’ve only delved into the milk chocolate box, but I’ve been thoroughly impressed. The bite-sized squares are incredibly rich and creamy. I am looking forward to the dark chocolate flats.
Tags: #purchases #books