I wrote something[1] in a similar vein recently. My take is that we as a species are just not ready for this. We weren’t ready for near-free sugar and we are not ready for instantaneous, global communication. As individuals we are very capable but as a whole we need more time to grow.
I like the idea of atemporal media consumption. I ended up doing that unintentionally in college years ago, catching up on 1950-70s classics and browsing through the corresponding Wiki pages. I did the same thing re: Israel/Palestinine conflicts a few years ago, trying to grok the issues in depth and context. From my personal experience it works amazingly well, giving me a look into a world that is no longer the same. Only problem is that the effects are short-lived, like a Habitat for Humanity mission. Once you are back in your own world, that other world is a distant memory.
This is in contrast to my one very short experience using a VR headset just once. I have had more flashbacks to swimming along side a massive alien ship than recollections of Hitchcock or Woody Allen movies. Maybe VR history worlds would be a good remedy to his “now” problem.
Netflix and other streaming services seem to do a good job of resurfacing TV shows and movies from the past. Much more effectively than syndication or cable channels did since they're all available all the time.
There is a very good book which talks about “The long now”. About expanding now from just the present to longer periods of decades, centuries and millenia.
I like the idea of atemporal media consumption. I ended up doing that unintentionally in college years ago, catching up on 1950-70s classics and browsing through the corresponding Wiki pages. I did the same thing re: Israel/Palestinine conflicts a few years ago, trying to grok the issues in depth and context. From my personal experience it works amazingly well, giving me a look into a world that is no longer the same. Only problem is that the effects are short-lived, like a Habitat for Humanity mission. Once you are back in your own world, that other world is a distant memory.
This is in contrast to my one very short experience using a VR headset just once. I have had more flashbacks to swimming along side a massive alien ship than recollections of Hitchcock or Woody Allen movies. Maybe VR history worlds would be a good remedy to his “now” problem.
1. http://chir.ag/201810301545