Eclectic Readers discussion

In our fourth episode, we bring back an Eclectic Readers favorite with Ernest Cline's Ready Player One themed episode!

Really enjoyed that episode, and feel I should explain my subsequent tweet.

When you talked about avatars as representing an 'idealised' (if you'll allow it to be put that way) representation of the player, I couldn't help but think of my Final Fantasy XIV character who's a top notch miner and botanist. I guess he represents my willingness to help out rather than be the heroic centre of attention.

Then, when you were talking about the Final Fantasy world you'd like to visit, I was thinking 'Like Final Fantasy XIV?' Lastly you were talking about MMOs and I was almost yelling "Final Fantasy XIV" at my tablet.

Although, maybe all of that happened because I was playing FFXIV while listening to the episode. Nothing takes the grind out of an MMO like a podcast.

Sean wrote: "Really enjoyed that episode, and feel I should explain my subsequent tweet.

When you talked about avatars as representing an 'idealised' (if you'll allow it to be put that way) representation of t..."

See, that fits in perfectly with my thought that people use tech in different ways. You could have chosen either a hero version or yourself or the miner/botanist version of yourself - and the best part of something like Final Fantasy is that you can always start again and take a different path.

I think. I should be quite honest here and mention I've never finished a Final Fantasy game except the very first one. ::waits for the scolding to begin::

I've only completed IX, X and XIV myself, so you'll hear no complaints from me.

Regarding the taking on of online roles, I'm always the Healer. MMOs - Healer, Shooters - Medic. If I can't heal, I'll stealth. Anything to avoid actual confrontation.

Oh man, I am quite literally the opposite. I almost always play a frontliner -- even if I am playing a mage (and I usually do) she is going to be in the thick of it. The only change to that is with these "newer" games where sometimes the action literally makes me sick. Sometime, I will play a sniper or a summoner in those situations.

Tara wrote: "Oh man, I am quite literally the opposite. I almost always play a frontliner -- even if I am playing a mage (and I usually do) she is going to be in the thick of it. The only change to that is with..."

I sound SO OLD - Damn these kids and their newfangled games!

My local bookstore is starting a Science Fiction and Fantasy book club next month, and it's been a while since I read Ready Player One, so I've convinced them to make it the first book.

always a good decision!

After reading the book with the local book club, they asked me to write a review for their facebook page, and while I was doing so, the following question popped into my head.

What do you think of the fact that, in this plausible, futuristic world, it is the products of the past (specifically the 1980s) that give the characters so much enjoyment?

I think that's a really interesting question. It's hard to answer it exactly, because the characters with whom we are familiar encompass kind of a specific subsection of the overall population of this world. I mean, how representative are Gunters of everyone else? We could also ask why does a science fiction show that originated in the 1960s still provide so much entertainment for everyone 50 years later, and the answer would be, well, actually it doesn't, except for Trekkies (or Whovians, depending on which science fiction show you're talking about). But Wade seems to imply that there are a lot of people just coasting and living un-Guntery lives in the Oasis. Do they get the same kind of enjoyment from old Family Ties reruns as Wade, or are there modern Oasis entertainments that take that place in their lives? Or do they enjoy these things without really going too deep into the fact that they have a long, rich, history - like someone who might enjoy The Dark Knight without caring about Batman as an 75-year-old icon?

That being said, people love 75-year-old Batman, in a number of different ways from the most casual to the most obsessed. Maybe loving products of the past is just a human thing we do.

Called it, Art3mis to be played by thin girl: http://www.themarysue.com/olivia-cook...

It's been a few years since I've read this, but from what I remember the creator of Oasis was really into all the 80's stuff, so that in itself probably helped to bolster its popularity. These kids probably also grew up hearing stories from parents/grandparents about the times before everything went to crap, so maybe there's a little nostalgia for the world they'd never know.

I agree with you Meredith. I think it's definitely nostalgia glasses. And the people who have the power is basically influencing what the mass population sees. Kind of like what's happening how with all the 80s remakes and what not.

I also agree with Nette, in that we only see the fanatics part of the Oasis. Even though it may be a little boring, I kind of want to see what an ordinary person does in the Oasis besides work or school. It's like how Dr. Who blew up in mainstream media but the hardcore fans are still a small percentage of people who know about Dr. Who.

Sue wrote: "I agree with you Meredith. I think it's definitely nostalgia glasses. And the people who have the power is basically influencing what the mass population sees. Kind of like what's happening how wit..."

We need a spin-off - "A Day in a Non-Gunter's Life..."