Fall 2018 Discussion Questions - Ready Player One

[[deleted user]]

Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline seeks to understand a world in which we are addicted to and reliant on technology in our personal and professional lives. We are already seeing signs of this futuristic world in our current society. We create profiles with carefully curated realities on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Twitter, and blogs. We are finding it increasingly difficult to identify reality from fantasy and fact from fiction. Because of the algorithms of the virtual worlds in which we choose to live, we are less likely to hear or see content that challenges what we know. And so, when faced with viewpoints or facts that contradict our own, we struggle to process and react with critical thinking in a compassionate way.

With all of these challenges in mind, this book seeks to bring awareness to the human behind the avatar, to humanize the virtual societies we have created, and provide a window into a possible reality. Ready Player One provides us with an opportunity to evaluate a fictional society, learn from its mistakes, and apply critical thinking to decide how we would like to live our best lives.

We are excited for the opportunity to discuss developments in virtual reality and the repercussions, both positive and negative, in this new technology. Please respond to one, some, or all of the discussion questions listed below. In your post, label each response with the question number to which you are responding. Engage in the discussion and connect with your peers. Take the opportunity to pose your own questions or comments, especially if there are other topics related to the book that you would like to discuss.

1. The OASIS becomes a part of daily life for users around the globe. What virtual realms (Google, Facebook, iCloud) do you depend on? How does this affect your personal and professional interactions? Do you find “living” in virtual realms beneficial or harmful to society? Why?

2. In the novel we see both Halliday and Wade use the virtual world to escape the realities of their lives. Exploring the question of identity and escape, what do the characters’ avatars tell us about their desires, their insecurities, and how they protect themselves from society? How do you express your desires or hide your insecurities? In what ways do you protect yourself from the assumptions society has about the “kind of person” you are (this could be a reflection on how you protect yourself from societal judgements based on your education, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, economic status, etc.)?

3. With a narrator who vividly captures the human experience, Ready Player One delivers a world that is easy for us to imagine. In the novel, what was at the root of the grim downturn for Earth’s inhabitants? Do you think our communities will start looking like the stacks by the year 2044? If yes, is there anything we can do about it? Do we want to do something about it?

4. Wade’s OASIS pass phrase is revealed on page 199, at the end of chapter nineteen: “No one in the world ever gets what they want and that is beautiful.” What does this philosophy mean to him at that point in his life? How can you apply this philosophy to your own life?

5. The novel is shaped by the 1980s backdrop, featuring John Hughes films, suburban shows like Family Ties, a techno-beat soundtrack, and a slew of early video games. Did Halliday grow up in a utopia or is he romanticizing the best parts of his childhood? What are the positive and negative effects of romanticizing the past?

[[deleted user]]

HI everyone! I really enjoyed "Ready Player One" and the faculty panel today. The current potential for technology right now seems on the cusp of so many amazing things that we will have to really evaluate as humans to decide which ones will be beneficial and which will lead to more problems than solutions. I am currently reading, "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" by Yuval Noah Harari and he provides many interesting (and some scary!) potential scenarios for the future of VR and AR in our every day lives.

Question #1: I currently rely heavily on all of Google's platforms to store documents that I want to work on across my devices. I also think it's beneficial so I don't have to print them out and waste paper. That is one positive outcome of technology in cases like this because it can help the environment to avoid using too much paper. I do interact with other people on Google when working together with others on documents but don't feel like I "live" there through that process which is good! I can see how social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter can create atmospheres where people forget that they are speaking to real humans and act in a way they would never act in person. If we started living in a world like the "OASIS", I could see that behavior carrying over because people would just see avatars and not a real human.

Looking forward to everyone else's thoughts!

[Melanie]

Hello Everyone!

1. I depend a lot on Facebook market, Poshmark and Mercari because I sell old items, or I flip clothes from time to time or sell vintage clothes here and there as well. I also use Whatsapp, Facebook and Instagram to stay in touch with family members living in other states or in other countries which makes it easier to communicate and everyday I check my email, so I highly depend on my Google and Yahoo account when dealing with professional interactions. Living in a virtual realm can be harmful because it’s not reality, it’s not real is a fictional space; this can shut you out from society if you don’t find a balance between virtual reality and real reality.

3. Climate change, global warming and icecaps melting caught up with destroying the earth from pollution and not recycling and not being aware of the environment and want can harm it instantly or what will have long term effects on it. We also already have ice caps melting and destroying our ecosystems because of pollution, oil spills and not recycling which there many things we can do such as recycling being cautious of products and items we purchase if its harmful to the environment and if is biodegradable. I don’t think its really much about if we want to do something about, but we have to because eventually the harm we’re causing to our environment we’ll catch up and you don’t want to bite off the hands that feeds you.

5. I would say Halliday definitely grew up in a romanticized idea of the best parts of his childhood which I would see as it turning into an issue or negative because it would keep him a bit of an isolated and awkward when interacting with others or being a social setting which as we read it, Halliday did have an isolated, awkwardness to him not really have the tools to be able to interact with others or in a social setting unless he did truly have Asperger’s syndrome.

Overall, I truly did enjoy the book and found it great about how the author incorporated issues Wade had in his environment with Global warming and Climate change and so on because that could be our reality one day if we don’t start to make changes and be more cautious. I did want the movie after I finished reading the book and I prefer the book way more than the movie; the book had more detail and parts that the movie didn’t have. It completely drew me in!

Best Regards,
Melanie C.

[Paul]

Jessica wrote: "HI everyone! I really enjoyed "Ready Player One" and the faculty panel today. The current potential for technology right now seems on the cusp of so many amazing things that we will have to really ..."

Hi Jessica,
Glad you enjoyed the book Ready Player One and the panel on virtual reality. You make a strong point regarding the need to evaluate the benefits of virtual reality technology, and the negative impact on humans as well. The panel partly addressed that in their discussions during the Q & A portion, but of course there’s more to learn about virtual reality applications, content, and usage.

I also use the Google storage platform to store documents, and to keep track of research I'm engaged in. In particular I use Google’s Keep for note-taking, but again there are so many applications to choose (as Matt Labrake mentioned about VR apps).

I agree with your comment regarding behavior in social media. I think it takes time for most people to understand this and begin to alter their behavior. The book addresses this issue to a degree, though not in a heavy handed way.

Thanks, Jessica, for being the first to post! I look forward to reading more comments from you here.

FYI - We have one print copy available at our library of Noah Harari's "21 Lessons for the 21st Century," so that's one I'll have to read!

[Eddie]

I didn’t finish the book yet

[Paul]

Eddie wrote: "I didn’t finish the book yet"
Hi Eddie,
There's time left for this discussion. Keep reading, and a little later respond to one of the questions (for example question one is a fairly general question comparing the virtual world 'Oasis' to your own 'virtual' world).

[Paul]

Melanie wrote: "Hello Everyone!

1. I depend a lot on Facebook market, Poshmark and Mercari because I sell old items, or I flip clothes from time to time or sell vintage clothes here and there as well. I also use ..."

Hi Melanie,
Great comments on the three questions you chose to respond. The book does allude in various chapters to the environment, and I think Cline as author attempts to make us aware of this (what the world might become if we do not care of it). At one point 'Parcival' briefly becomes Wade again (and out of the virtual world of Oasis) to see what the real world has become. Wade doesn't like what he sees in the real world, thus needs to go back into the virtual world to escape.

I haven't watched the movie yet, but I must admit I am interested to see how Mr. Spielberg interpreted Cline's novel and developed it into film.

[Chelle]

Melanie wrote: "Hello Everyone!

1. I depend a lot on Facebook market, Poshmark and Mercari because I sell old items, or I flip clothes from time to time or sell vintage clothes here and there as well. I also use ..."

Hi Melanie,
I must agree with you that I depend heavily on virtual world. I use Facebook, Whatsapp, Skype, and Yahoo daily whether to communicate with family member and friends are just playing video games. In a sense I rather virtual world only because I do not like being around people much. I haven't seen the movie as yet but while reading the book I felt like a I suck in the book and I can understand how Wade feel. I use my video game as an escape from what's going on around but do not get me wrong I keep updated with what's going on in the world.

[Jacqueline]

Good evening to everyone
Someone saw me reading Ready Player One and asked me how I can read such a big book, and I had to tell her that it does not matter the size of the book if it is well written and holds your attention and interest.
Answering the questions for the discussion:
Question 1
I depend mostly on Google because it helps me with my school work as well as my work-related topics. I do use Facebook, but I do not dwell on it nor do I depend on it.

Question 2
The use of virtual reality allows the players to be who they cannot be in the real world. With Halliday, he had a serious self-esteem problem where he was afraid to talk to people and Wade grew up being overweight all his young life. He did not like being teased, so he immersed himself in the virtual world where he could be the opposite of what he was in the real world. It was not that he or Halliday was not brilliant because they were, you might say they were geniuses. Like the characters in the book, when I feel insecure I do a lot of reading, I immerse myself in reading. Being a black woman and overweight I tune out negative thoughts and comments from others who have nothing good to say about people. Sometimes I do not give them the opportunity to make negative comments. One of the ways I do this is by excelling in my education.

Question 3
I believe that there lies a possibility that the earth could become like that portrayed in the book. The increase in the population, the constant mining, and drilling for resources from the earth, the overuse of energy, pollution, and global warming all can lead up to the eath becoming as such as in the book. In the book, the population grew so much that there was no more room to build homes beside each other they began stacking them instead. I do not know if we can do much to prevent certain things from happening, because more and more people are being born and more people are living longer, but we have to try to preserve what we have left of the earth.

Question 4
I believe that he meant, in life, we all desire something but never truly gets exactly what we want. We will get the things we need for survival if we are lucky or fortunate but not what we really want. He would love to be the hero he was in virtual land in the real world but that was never going to happen. He describes how in the virtual world he is revered as a God, but in the real world is stays locked behind closed doors, a hermit, a recluse. If everyone in the world gets what they want what kind of world would we have? No one knows.

Question 5
Halliday used what had made him feel happy and content as a child and as he grew up into an adult, he incorporated everything that was dear to him in the game, maybe this way he could preserve a part of his life forever. The positive is when you are able to look back an reminisce, the negative might be when the past has passed there is no returning to it.

This was one of the most intriguing books I have read in a long while, even though I am not a tech person I found that I could be caught up immersed in a virtual world where I could be anyone I wanted to be behind the consoles, my haptic suit, gloves, and visors. I hope everyone had the opportunity to read the book and if you know a friend who wanted to read it and did not get the chance to get it, lend it to them so they too can enjoy a good read. Thank you.

Jacqueline

[Carlos]

Julie wrote: "Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline seeks to understand a world in which we are addicted to and reliant on technology in our personal and professional lives. We are already seeing signs of this futur..."

Good Afternoon All,

Question #2:
Living in an alternate reality has its pros and cons. When done to navigate unbeknownst to others, it can help to accomplish goals without distractions. When done to hide from ridicule, it can have an adverse affects once that person has to return to reality. Lets say in cases where someone may be bullied. It may also prevent someone from overcoming their insecurities. It is more than obvious Wade is trying to escape his reality. Although he wants to ensure his mother can benefit in the long run, he does it to focus on self. The Oasis becomes a coping mechanism for Wade and Halliday, as well as some of the other players. When I was younger, I was very shy. Nowadays, I am a bit too outspoken and trying to show many that it is okay to escape form societal norms. It is okay to be different and an individual. I try my best to speak my truth and live my truths. I also do it to ensure my daughter is fully aware that she should never feel the need to refrain from expressing herself completely.

Here's a question: How do we know we aren't currently living in an alternate reality?

-Carlos

[Meryl]

Good evening all,

I unfortunately didn't get a chance to read the book in its entirety however of the most that I did read I felt that it was a great read that is very close to modern society. In today's society most millennial and generation z's are so attached to social media and technological devices that its so hard to distance themselves to face reality. In light of this most people of these generations really have no concept and lack of knowledge of how to handle the future.

As we read about in ready player one Halliday and Wade use virtual reality to escape the world that they face. I understand that the "OASIS" is "only" a game to relieve a users of modern society however, it very dangerous game. When society started allowing this human society created a world in which things such as everyday news, knowledge taught in classrooms or rules carried out by boss becomes unacceptable or unfathomably. Human society becomes the robot or the machine making it's way into society instead of robots helping humans. In a nutshell a falsehood is created between the player and the human due to lack of connect society will face.

When I was reading and watched the movie Ready Player one it send few chills down my spine. Imagine a virtual world in which we erase history, erase some of the disasters of society and they when "history repeats itself" humans wouldn't know how to face because we erased knowledge of the past and would know how to handle the present. Then the virtual world will have to imagine or handle society for human society.
"No one in the world gets what they want and that is beautiful" is a great quote taken from the book. In society especially in modern times humans are always looking to be the best in sometime or have the best time. The "grass is always greener" However, especially in technologically age if we take a step back and appreciate the little things that we are given we can really enjoy ourselves versus a world in which we get everything we want and have no appreciation. This is true for both the people in our lives and materialistic things. Example a student may really want to go to ivy league college however, no matter how good the grades are there constant competition, no time for friends and sometimes chaos breaks out. At Berkeley College yes I agree not as competitive however I can get the same great grades, have time for friends and really some the true student/ alumni that I am.

In conclusion of reading and watching Ready Player One I believe I that we as individuals have to draw the line between virtual reality and physical reality. As a culture we tend to want to live in utopia. Social Media, Hollywood, late night shows and even news outlet tend to create this world of utopia and we as a society are grabbing on to it. Think about it banks are always offering credit cards so that we can "afford" luxury life. In turn debt comes in and the truth comes out. Debt rolls out and the bills have to get paid. Same is true for Virtual Reality games. For the moment that we play the game we can meet that special someone who can be the most smartest, most beautiful l, most handsome or whatever we are looking for. When we hit reality that same person is ugly or even stupid however as crazy as it sounds that's the real person we are looking for.

I would like to end with a quote from John Lennon:

Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.

We should think about that before human society lets robot or virtual machinery take it away from us.

Thank you all.

Meryl

[Terysinea]

Question 1

The virtual world that we live in I would say is Facebook. It doesn't affect my professional interactions, but when am lodge into Facebook I feel like am in another worl, am interacting with people I have never met in real life, I have friends from around the globe, places have never been. It can be very beneficial as well as it can be harmful, beneficial in sense that when you lodge into your account you have friends there who are willing to talk or to listen, so if your having a bad day there is someone you can vent to. Harmful in the sense that your personal data is out in the virtual world you dont know who can decode the system and steal your data.

[Paul]

Jacqueline wrote: "Good evening to everyone
Someone saw me reading Ready Player One and asked me how I can read such a big book, and I had to tell her that it does not matter the size of the book if it is well writte..."

Hi Jacqueline,
Thanks for your comments (on all five questions!). You make good points in all of the comments in response to the questions. I'm glad you enjoyed reading the book and seeing the positives and negatives of the future virtual world depicted. I agree with you, too, that it is worth loaning the book to a friend interested in reading it.

[Melanie]

Jessica wrote: "HI everyone! I really enjoyed "Ready Player One" and the faculty panel today. The current potential for technology right now seems on the cusp of so many amazing things that we will have to really ..."

Hi Jessica,

I also rely a lot on google to communicate with classmates when do doing group assignments or work related task. I can see how focusing our time on social media can eventually bring us to appoint in acting different than what we would normally act in person and it also gives us an escape from reality which could be bad if we don't find a balance such as it was for Halliday in the book. I f we don't find a balance between technology and the real world we could become very isolated with real human interaction and just find ourselves living in a "virtual" world versus in reality.

Side note: Has anyone seen the movie of "Ready Player One," I saw it after I read the book and personally I prefer the book. The book had much more detail and really drew me in.

[Jacqueline]

Hi Jessica,

I too would love to see the movie and compare it to the book, but I have not gotten a chance to check out where I can see it because I have Netflix and I cannot get it. Can you tell me where you got to watch it? Thank you.

Jacqueline

[Paul]

Chelle wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Hello Everyone!

1. I depend a lot on Facebook market, Poshmark and Mercari because I sell old items, or I flip clothes from time to time or sell vintage clothes here and there as w..."

Hi Chelle,
The book illustrates how easy it is (at least in the future world as described by Cline) to be sucked in to the virtual world, and to forget about the 'real' world. The author has the main characters recognize this, and is one of the themes of the book.

[Paul]

Carlos wrote: "Julie wrote: "Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline seeks to understand a world in which we are addicted to and reliant on technology in our personal and professional lives. We are already seeing signs..."

Hi Carlos,
You use a good example (bullying) to show how the virtual world can have a positive use. I agree with you that both Halliday and Wade have used (mastered, actually) the virtual world as a coping mechanism. On the other hand, they both recognize it is not the only way to cope (I think in part this is the message Halliday wants Wade to take away with him).

[Paul]

Terysinea wrote: "Question 1

The virtual world that we live in I would say is Facebook. It doesn't affect my professional interactions, but when am lodge into Facebook I feel like am in another worl, am interacting..."

Hi Terysinea,
Yes, Facebook is one of those ever present examples whereby individuals can expect the positive and the negative. I myself mostly use Facebook to get in touch with my family to coordinate holiday activities and other family affairs.

[Paul]

Meryl wrote: "Good evening all,

I unfortunately didn't get a chance to read the book in its entirety however of the most that I did read I felt that it was a great read that is very close to modern society. In..."

Hi Meryl - - thank you for your comments. To add to your comments, the book also describes how certain individuals (the Nolan Sorrento character) can exploit those participants in the virtual world for nefarious purposes (which is harmful to all in the virtual world).

[[deleted user]]

Jacqueline wrote: "Hi Jessica,

I too would love to see the movie and compare it to the book, but I have not gotten a chance to check out where I can see it because I have Netflix and I cannot get it. Can you tell m..."

Hi Jacqueline,

I actually borrowed it from the Berkeley Library! A few campuses have copies. If you're an on-campus student, you can ask a librarian to find an available copy. Or if you're an Online student and know how to request items, you can visit the Library Catalog and request it. A librarian can also help you from our chat service at chat.library.berkeleycollege.edu.

Hope you can watch it!

Jessica

[[deleted user]]

Melanie wrote: "Jessica wrote: "HI everyone! I really enjoyed "Ready Player One" and the faculty panel today. The current potential for technology right now seems on the cusp of so many amazing things that we will..."

Hi Melanie,

I preferred the book as well! I thought the movie was fun but enjoyed the longer story the author was able to tell in the book. So much had to be cut out to fit in the movie time.

[Yanery]

Hello everyone!

I really enjoyed reading Ready Player One. I love the premise of the story. Set in the distance future where there’s even a bigger gap between those that have and those that don’t. In this dystopian world, the OASIS is where the kids have a chance to be on the same level. I enjoyed the fact that it moved from reality, which in Wade’s life was grim, to the virtual world, which was Utopian. Cline does a very good job in contrasting the differences between the two. This story line was very interesting. I like the way Cline uses our current situation of using electronics more and more, and extrapolates it into the future, in a world where we are all jacked into the virtual world for some reason or other. The idea of people hooked on the virtual world of OASIS, for schooling, entertainment, and work, is a unique concept that form the basis of this book. The theme of escapism from the grim reality to the virtual world is poignant, considering today’s progression towards the cyber-world.

Question #1:

The OASIS becomes a part of daily life for users around the globe. The virtual realm that I depend on is Instagram. I love to share pictures of people, places and things that are passionate to me, and I like to keep up with my followers and see what they are up to. However, I do find myself spending a lot of unnecessary time scrolling through people’s profiles. I sometimes become so engrossed and blinded by so much perfection I see on social media, that I spend an excessive amount of time taking the “perfect” pictures to post. Sharing my own photos as a way to project an equally envy-inspiring social media persona as the ones I so often see. When all we can see of each other’s lives is whatever fits within perfectly filtered squares, we’ll inevitably do the kind of harmful self-assessment that keeps us thinking that the grass really is greener on the other side — that everyone else’s lives are more perfect than our own. I believe social media affects your personal and professional interactions. Our lives are complicated as is, so our use of social media is complicated because it is an extension of how we live our lives. Being yourself and being social are both necessary for an authentic experience. We’re all still just one person though no matter how many genuine personas we may have. How we live our personal life can affect our professional life and vice versa. For better and worse. I find that “living” in virtual realms is more harmful than beneficial to society. Before we lived and shared so much of our lives online and through social media, you could usually keep your private and public lives separate easily. We had more control over how likely one aspect of who you are might conflict with another aspect of who you are. Now it’s easier for someone to see more than one aspect of how you live your life. That makes living an already complicated life trickier. However, we can still have control over the potential for one aspect of our life to splash over into another if we want it.

-Yanery

[Sofia]

2. In the novel we see both Halliday and Wade use the virtual world to escape the realities of their lives. Exploring the question of identity and escape, what do the characters’ avatars tell us about their desires, their insecurities, and how they protect themselves from society? How do you express your desires or hide your insecurities? In what ways do you protect yourself from the assumptions society has about the “kind of person” you are (this could be a reflection on how you protect yourself from societal judgements based on your education, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, economic status, etc.)?
• I think the way the characters display themselves says a lot about how they view society and what they have been victims of. For example: Aech portrayed herself as a white male but, was a black homosexual woman in real life. It’s clear that she was probably victimized by the judgements put in place by society and especially, her mother. She escaped what had happened to her growing up by being the opposite of what she was on a virtual world.
• I express my desires very subliminally unless it is something that could benefit me greatly in the future. I hide my insecurities by fixing them on a surface level, I usually cover them up.
• I protect myself from the assumptions society has about the kind the person I am by being the best version of myself. I am brutally honest, and I know what people think of people like me, I know most of it is based on truth. I show others that I am a reliable and responsible human being and that I am not like the others. I do not like playing the victim, I think it’s counter-productive. In order to stop people from judging me on a surface level, I just do my best in everything I do.

[Paul]

Yanery wrote: "Hello everyone!

I really enjoyed reading Ready Player One. I love the premise of the story. Set in the distance future where there’s even a bigger gap between those that have and those that don’t...."

Hi Yanery,
Glad you enjoyed reading Ready Player One. Good analysis of the book, and provide interesting comments on the nature of social media today (and what it might lead to). You comment on how social media today has become an obsession for some and perhaps negatively impact their personal lives. I agree to the extent I see certain aspects of that possbility in some people I know (on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), but I'm not sure how much it has truly impacted their lives, or if it has had a negative impact as of yet. I suspect most use it to reduce stress in their 'real' lives.

One of the conclusions I came away with (that I liked) from reading Cline's book is that there is a choice (today and in the future virtual world depicted in the book). Individuals make that choice on how to handle the existing world (whether it's virtual or not). The main characters realize this ultimately, come to understand the virtual world on a realistic basis. They grow in a positive way to their virtual surroundings, etc. They learn to use the virtual world in positive ways.

[Paul]

Sofia wrote: "2. In the novel we see both Halliday and Wade use the virtual world to escape the realities of their lives. Exploring the question of identity and escape, what do the characters’ avatars tell us ab..."

Hi Sofia,
Thanks for your comments on the book. You zeroed in on a key character and a good example for the question chosen. Although Halliday and Wade are the main characters, Aech is a character that becomes quite important as the novel develops (particularly for the reasons you describe).

[MarytheBookLover]

Hello Everyone,

I am just going to give my review of this one and try to answer the questions for the book club.

First off, I really enjoyed the book and got into it because of all the references to the 80's (I grew up in). So, for me, this was a walk down memory lane. I enjoyed the book talking about Family Ties (huge MJFox fan club girl here), John Hughes films, Pac Mac, etc.
Wade has two realities - one is real life, the other is virtual. As I can relate to this as I was a huge WOW player years ago and spent more time in the virtual world than in the actual world. But, as life goes you have to come back to reality. Which is another thing I liked about the book. They all had to get together to win at the end. That was the only way it was going to work and they had to play as a team - together - in real life. This worked for this book and it really showed how smart kids (they are all kids to me), can face adversity together when given a common goal. So, although this is steeped in the virtual world it really doesn't work out to just that world. Amazing book and I can't wait to see the movie (waiting on our break to do so).

1. I live for google, canvas and Instagram. Google because it has what I need when I ask it, Canvas because that is my student life and Instagram because of my blog life. Yes, a lot of time I live in the virtual world because that is what our society has become. We don’t mail letters anymore we e-invite, and send emails. That’s just how it works now. I think it has made society less tolerable of each other and of life. People want a quick fix but life is not like that. It is hard work and perseverance. I believe people think life should go as smoothly as a game or media portrays it and well life is not like that. But, I am old school and I was around before cell phones, games, and everyone owning a computer!

2. I am not sure how to answer this question. I am pretty much the same in the online world as the off-line world. I have a few close friends and a few family members left. I think we all use the online world to escape now and then, I guess it depends how much you do it. I don’t want to say I am an open book because I am not. I am just me.

3. The narrator does capture this world well. With all the issues we have with earth (climate change, animal extinction, etc.) it is hard to imagine a world not like this someday. I don’t know if we will have “stacks” but I do believe we will have lots of people living together to survive and hopefully we can/will do something about it. I hope we don’t turn out like this.

4. I believe he meant that you just don’t get everything you want. No one does. It is a fact of life. You try to first get the things you need and then if you are lucky can have the things you want and you achieve to get the things you want. I think he might mean that he can beat this game and get the things that he wants. If he works hard enough. This is all hearsay. I lived to long and know that you don’t always get what you want and that is fine by me. You should be happy with what you have.

5. Halliday is defiantly romanticizing the past. The positive is you get to look back with loving eyes on it (if it was good) and the negative is that sometimes things weren’t that good and you don’t want to live in the past because then you would miss your future.

Overall, a great pick for the book club and I am really happy I took part in it! =)

Mary

[Jacqueline]

Hello Marythebooklover

Like you, I love the 80s too. I grew up in that era and I loved watching all those movies and still do. I related with the time that Halliday grew up in. I am glad that you enjoyed it too and reading the book. People looked at me on the bus and train and must be wondering about the size of the book, but the size of a book does not matter to me as long as it is interesting. I believe that it was a good pick for the book club. Have a good weekend.
Jacqueline

[MarytheBookLover]

Jacqueline wrote: "Hello Marythebooklover

Like you, I love the 80s too. I grew up in that era and I loved watching all those movies and still do. I related with the time that Halliday grew up in. I am glad that you ..."

Hello Jacqueline,

I must say I looked at the book size and said I might not get through it. But, it wasn't like that at all. I captured me and those pages were flying by. I am super glad you enjoyed it. I have a few books left of the Outlander series (most over 1k pages) and some of those I struggle with because it just doesn't capture me. I am glad this one did. Thanks for saying hello. =)

Mary

[Jacqueline]

Hi Mary

No problem at all, I am glad that you enjoyed the book as well. Those are the kinds of books I like that holds my interest. Have a good week.

Jacqueline

[Diego]

Hello everyone!

1. To depend on a virtual real would be an extreme case for me. I like to think of these virtual realms as a way to advertise ourselves. If I had to choose one it would be twitter, because its more engaging. It is in many ways harmful because the information that goes around the platform can be malicious or to spread hate, it also inhibits the sense of reality as individuals who live in small communities. This is all harmful to society because we are losing our humanity chasing perfection in human relations.

2. Halliday's avatar was presented as this mighty creator of the OASIS when in reality they had mental disorders that impulsed him to learn more and become alienated. I think Halliday created the Oasis as an escapade for himself just like wade and many more. I like to express my desires openly when I believe they are attainable, and my insecurities to people of trust. There are some ways in which I tend to protect myself, for instance, in social gatherings or with people I dont know well I wont share as much personal or show my true self.

3. The root grim in the story refers to the point where unemployment, food and housing problems crumbled big cities and turned them into the stacks the books talks about. 2044 would the the year humanity will see flying cars or see the destruction of its existence.

great book overall

[Paul]

MarytheBookLover wrote: "Hello Everyone,

I am just going to give my review of this one and try to answer the questions for the book club.

First off, I really enjoyed the book and got into it because of all the references..."

Thank you, Mary, for your comments on all the questions. I agree that if you were of age during the early 1980s (as I was) this book will come of as a trip down memory lane (it does seem like only a few years ago that like Wade I was watching 'Family Ties'). But as you point out in your comments to the questions, Cline develops the book much further than that. He brings it full circle around the halfway point when, for example, when Wade has to play out the Matthew Broaderick role for the whole film of 'War Games' to get to the next level of Halliday's virtual game.

Glad you enjoyed the book!

[Paul]

Diego wrote: "Hello everyone!

1. To depend on a virtual real would be an extreme case for me. I like to think of these virtual realms as a way to advertise ourselves. If I had to choose one it would be twitter,..."

Thank you, Diego - - I'm with you, great book! We'll see regarding 2044, I hope we see the flying cars rather than the latter.

[Eric]

Eric G.Washington

Hello, and salutations. I read Ready Player One with amazement. The popular culture references and the details regarding arcade, and video entertainment were genius. The story of personal responsibility, and relationships did not lack, or rely on cliches. I am only recently exposed, or over exposed to the internet. I have a social media account that has remained stagnant, as I tend to rely upon my ability to communicate in a more personal setting. "Hi, sorry to bother you but I knocked to say I will bring your bundt pan right over." is how I have been avoiding the envelope the internet was very much projected as in the story. Will there be a Ready Player One part 2?

[Eric]

Hello, and salutations. My impression of Wade, and Halliday's retreat to the virtual setting is where is the responsibility on the part of Wade. Halliday made his living on the virtual world and gave it all back, and nulled a friendship in the process. I have no lingering doubts around past breakups, or decisions made regarding the option to go on without a near, or dear friend. I welcome the challenge of meeting new, and interesting people. My insecurity lies within the possibility that I could seem to be standoff like, or resisting interaction through misinterpretation.

[Chelle]

1. The OASIS becomes a part of daily life for users around the globe. What virtual realms (Google, Facebook, iCloud) do you depend on? How does this affect your personal and professional interactions? Do you find “living” in virtual realms beneficial or harmful to society? Why?

Just like Wade in the Ready Player One book I tend to plug myself into my own virtual world. I used video games and Whatsapp as an escape. It does not affect my personal interactions with others because I do not speak much to others. But when I play video game my avatar is fun, and out going and I will talk to other players online.
In my opinion, virtual world is not harmful nor does it affect one's personal views or ways to communicate with others. As a shy person the game help me break away from that shyness and using Facebook, Whatsapp help me reach out to friends and family that lives far away.

[Chelle]

Eric wrote: "Hello, and salutations. My impression of Wade, and Halliday's retreat to the virtual setting is where is the responsibility on the part of Wade. Halliday made his living on the virtual world and ga..."

Hi Eric,
I do agree with you in the sense that Halliday created the the game as a way to make money but also to escape from reality. Wade did not get along with other and before his mother died all he knew was the virtual world. In that world he had friends, and he was able to speak with them without fear or judgement.

[Dani]

Hey Everyone !


I really enjoyed reading Read Player One. I saw the movie a while back when it came out in theatres, not realizing it was first a novel. When I saw that this was our selection for the semester, I was excited to see how the book would differ from the movie. I generally prefer to read the book before seeing the movie counterpart if a book has one, because I often feel like the movie will spoil the book and I’ll be bored reading it. But, luckily with Ready Player One that did not happen, and the novel held my attention regardless of the fact that I already watched the movie. Now that I’ve read the book, I’m actually excited to re-view the movie to refresh my memory of it and see how they compare.
1.The “Virtual Realms” I most depend on are Canvas and Google. Canvas, since I do 100% of my schooling online, I spend hours weekly using Canvas weekly through the app on my phone or computer. Google because I depend on it to literally answer any and all questions I have. Most of my friends and even family rely heavily on apps like Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. While I do use these applications to keep in touch with particular friends and family, I am not very active in sharing. I just don’t feel the need to share everything I do, where I go, who I am with, while a majority of my friends almost live by “if you don’t post it, it didn’t happen”. I think that the negative effects of this is depending on social media to keep up with friends or family constantly instead of reaching out in other ways or in person. For example, because I don’t post often, I have had friends assume nothing new is going on with me, and then are surprised when we finally do see each other to speak in person that ABC has gone on, but because there wasn’t a long winded social media post about whatever event they just assume I have no news. While I do think that sometimes virtual realms can be used as a crutch to avoid face to face communications, I also do enjoy the benefits of being able to attend school remotely which works best for my schedule, as well as being able to stay in contact very easily with out of state friends and family. I think that virtual realms will only continue to grow and increase in popularity.

[Khali]

Good morning, everyone.

Apologies for posting late to the discussion, got caught up in a lot of schoolwork! I have some time to answer a couple of questions.

1. The OASIS becomes a part of daily life for users around the globe. What virtual realms (Google, Facebook, iCloud) do you depend on? How does this affect your personal and professional interactions? Do you find “living” in virtual realms beneficial or harmful to society? Why?

While I do agree that these realms have changed the way we live and communicate, I wouldn't say that I necessarily rely on them, at least not heavily. I have a handle on it. I do use networks such as Google, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to keep in touch with family members, friends, and fans alike, also to see what's happening in the world, too. Being that I am a professional artist, I must have a social presence to connect with the world and use my talents to make social media a better place.

But, I do feel like there are people out there who depend heavily on this platform and they let it control their lives. Social media has given us accessibility we've never had before in history. As many lives as social media did help are as just as many that have been destroyed by it. The internet is a relenting place. I read all sorts of disgusting comments online that makes me question humanity as a whole.

I say to myself: "Who the *bleep* would post this *bleep?* Harassment on social media is at an all-time high. Networks such as Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter have been used to perpetrate violence and spread hate. I feel like the user should be aware of whatever they do online can affect others. We always blame the creators, but never hold ourselves accountable. If people cannot learn to become accountable with technology, then these issues will escalate.

2. In the novel we see both Halliday and Wade use the virtual world to escape the realities of their lives. Exploring the question of identity and escape, what do the characters’ avatars tell us about their desires, their insecurities, and how they protect themselves from society? How do you express your desires or hide your insecurities? In what ways do you protect yourself from the assumptions society has about the “kind of person” you are (this could be a reflection on how you protect yourself from societal judgements based on your education, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, economic status, etc.)?

I thought this question was interesting. I couldn't have been the only one to notice that. Aech used a "white" avatar to hide her ethnicity. Later in the book, we found out that Aech was actually a black girl. Aech hid her identity for obvious reasons, to escape the stigma she faced in her daily life that probably stemmed from the fact that she was black and female, and we all face it a lot, depending on where we come from and those that we're around.

We are not to blame for becoming programmed to act a certain way amid our youths, but we are to blame for not re-programming ourselves later on. For me, I use writing as an escape. I am aware of all my insecurities and insensitivities, I don't shy away from talking about them.

In addition to that, being a young black man that's at gripes with his mental health-- I try to bring as much awareness to my feelings as possible in the work that I produce. I feel like mental health gets swept under the rug in the black community. I even had people close to me tell me that being depressed and going to therapy was quote on quote "acting white."

That really angered me when people said that. Mental health is not a race issue. It's a systematic issue. It's a worldwide issue. There's not enough attention on the importance of mental health, it's why I get lost in the arts. It's where I seek refuge. I won't be judged in my writings. I heal through art.

[Gerson]

Gerson here,

1.) I find myself to be on social media a lot, especially when I am bored. It is a time waster and although we could be using our time more wisely, it might be essential not to. The Oasis is a virtual world where people can escape reality and its false harshness. This allows for people who are less socially acquainted to participate in a world where they are more accepted. It is almost like a fantasy, and we all have fantasies of our own. Having a fantasy is an essential part to life because it unlocks all the possibilities your mind can think of and leads you to things you might enjoy or like. However, getting trapped in a world like this is very easy. A false perception between what is real and what is not. In essence, if it is used wisely, it could better a mentality overall.

[Nakita]

Hey guys! Well for the first question, I have to say I use Facebook every day of my life. Of course I’m not proud, because every single time I use it I always read unfortunate things that I could have lived the rest of my life without the knowledge of unfortunately. But, I can admit I save most of my food recipe videos from this same app that people bully others on. I do keep my opinion to myself since I have noticed when others opinions aren’t the same as yours, immediately they feel entitled to make this evident and prove their point at any means, even if it’s to make someone feel bad. Also, Facebook more often than not contains the funniest videos and pictures I could also find. If I stopped using Facebook I know I would become bored, but I also know I can easily fill that extra time gap with more productive tasks (and I can’t lie, this realization has opened my eyes a little on my time management skills as well).

[Sheelia]

Hello everyone,

Ready Player One was just as amazing as the movie.

1. With the examples given I would have to say both Facebook and Google are some that I heavily rely on. Facebook more so, so I can stay in contact with my family that lives in other states. On a lighter note, to see the funny videos and events that may be going on. I think that being able to connect to people that you usually wouldn’t and experiencing things you usually wouldn’t is always a great thing. Being able to expand your horizons through social media is a great thing. There are so many things, places and foods that I never knew existed before. At this point it has become a way for me to learn more and expand in everything. Meet people and be able to benefit each other. That’s what the virtual realm does for me.

5. I don’t think he grew up in a utopia. I believe given the life he was dealt he chose to remember and focus on the good parts instead of feeling bad and dwelling on everything bad that happened. However, I do believe by doing so he let his self get stuck in the past and by the time he may have realized it, it was too late. I believe he focused on the past so much and so long that he may have let it affect him having an actual life and being able to be in the mist of people and have an actual life.

Ready Player One was a great book and I look forward to the next book next semester.

Happy Holidays everyone.

[Melissa]

Good morning everyone,
I have chosen number 4 which is: Wade’s OASIS pass phrase is revealed on page 199, at the end of chapter nineteen: “No one in the world ever gets what they want and that is beautiful.” What does this philosophy mean to him at that point in his life? How can you apply this philosophy to your own life?

I think that it is important to realize that our lives are about each of our journeys and not that we get to where we are going in life but instead that we enjoy our path to get there. I think that it speaks to the human condition that we are never satisfied, by the time we reach a goal, we are already focusing on a different goal. I like to think of this as a positive thing because if we have no goals in life and we are not striving for anything then there is no drive in our lives.
I hope that everyone is having a great holiday break!

[Natasha]

Hello everyone,

This has been a rough semester just finished my MBA Practicum on the 17th work and school! Seems like everything is getting harder and harder too. I enjoyed Ready Player One because even though it’s set in a futuristic world the real life struggles of today still exist within it. I can relate to growing up without family and being the black sheep of it. Poverty living makes people treat others without regards and so many people are opportunist taking advantage of the situation of people who “have not”. Aunt Alice is a prime example of this early in the book by taking away a laptop just to pawn it. To expect a child to be a paying member of a family is an attitude commonly found among poor families. Everyone is expected to pull their own weight. This causes kids to drop out of school and rush their growth speeding past their childhood trying to solve adult problems.

Question 1. I feel Facebook which owns Instagram now and other social media have promoted and caused a lot of problems. Lack of privacy, reduced pride in self image replacing it with Faking it to make it, and disconnection between reality and imagination. On the other hand it’s very useful for spreading instant information and with live technology it’s genuine media if you catch it before restrictions and editing. The social media platforms have also given the opportunity for individual talents to promote themselves and reach their own levels of fame/income. In OASIS we still see the clear distinguishing lines drawn between players with money and those without. Even as vast as the internet is without money to buy good hardware, updates and additional items to improve you avatar it’s easy to identity class. It’s sad to say I agree with the author for writing this in book to reflect that no matter how far advanced our technology is; if we don’t keep our humanity, morals, and ethics things will still be imbalanced.

I feel the additional pressures social media has caused mentally that we need to step back as a society and strength ourselves against losing our true value as people. We have lost respect for each other as people, the planet as the source of our home and loss of ethics is what makes business hard. Years ago bullying resulted in a fight or parent conference or both and in the case of book our hero with a smart mouth learns how best to deal with his bullies by using words as his weapon. Yet, in this time we have so many suicides coming from bullying and social media platforms being used to shame and defile people. The challenge is trying to find the happy medium.

It is so annoying when I use google to research and even going to reliable sources you’re bombarded by instant playing videos, click ads, even a pop up blocker is useless because the sites are allowed too! You have to tell google Why you don’t want to VIEW the AD! It’s beyond ridiculous. OASIS seems to be the future we are headed to unfortunately with us asking Alexa to do this and that soon she will be baby sitting our kids too. Now matter what field you’re in technology has creeped in. As a teacher I went to a smart board, data driven curriculum and learning computer software to teach with. You go to hospital everything is technology now our health records are electronic. Corporations like Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, etc are growing into huge monopolies whether we admit it or not. Overconsumption has cause the need for sustainable solutions. I can see stacked trailers as a Mad Max Thunderdome world in the future if we don’t change the way we build and use technology now.

Overall I use a lot of technology at work so at home I really avoid it. I don’t ask Siri anything lol I do it myself. I will never own a Facebook portal or Amazon echo I like my privacy. I think we have to be more responsible with technology and realize it a tool and not shape our lives surrounding it. But use it as a tool to help shape the lives we want to create.

[Tia]

Eddie wrote: "I didn’t finish the book yet"

We are in a new year and I haven't finished the book yet !
However, it is great start to a good read!

[Tia]

I enjoyed most of what I read. I like virtual reality. The story line is imaginative.