The Experience Machine

Original Image: http://consc.net/
papers/matrix.html

The Experience Machine ( as famously noted by Robert Nozick) is an argument that infers if given a choice between living a normal life with many faults and imperfections or being hooked up to a machine with tricks our brain that we are living in a perfect world. If given the choice Nozick argues that we much prefer real life because we know that the simulation is not real and we would much prefer real life as opposed to the perfect imaginary world. To use a comparison, in the film The Matrix, Neo has the choice between two pills with one placing him back into the state of imagination and the other allowing him to see the real world without computer simulation. It seems that we would always choose real life, wouldn't we?

Although, let's look from another perspective. What is appealing about such computer generated things such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and even computer games. This is certainly not real and no matter how much it reflects you, you're only really going to put the good parts on there aren't you. So in a way isn't every time you log in to these sites or play a game you are immersing yourself in something that is not really real for pleasure. I'm not saying it's wrong but it probably questions your opinion in the first paragraph. Every time someone updates their online dating profile to make them sound or look more appealing or taking a photograph that shows you doing something fun or interesting, it may all be something deeper, a plea to take control and perfect one's life via the virtual environment known as the internet.

Social Media: Is it enlightening us or dumbing us down - short.

Recently I have decided to sometimes do short snippets of a Blog post to whatever comes to mind and make a short paragraph on that, whichever receives great interest I shall continue and build upon that (like a to-do list.)

My first short paragraph is on social media and whether its existence is a tool for knowledge or a cause for ignorance.
It can be seen as great, we know what's going on, how to contact someone and what's happening all in the space of our laptops and mobiles. This does seem that our social capacity can indeed expand to a point that could not be imagined a decade or so ago. We follow celebrities, like what we like and get to see what our friends are doing, what could be better?
However, is there really a cost to these benefits we get, and if so, do these costs have serious implications. Well the trouble with all this convenience can make us extremely impatient at times. I admit myself, after I send a text or message, I am expecting a response quickly and it can be frustrating when this is not the case. Secondly, can this get us addicted to social media? If when you refresh Facebook or Twitter and you still have the same, then you are addicted, hooked on the online lives of others.

Now I'm not saying we should all go outside and go play with Kites in that 'ideal perfect' world but rather I ask, should we restrict ourselves from being indoctrinated by the social media lifestyle?