People (At the New York Times) Who Don't Get the Concept

Roger Cohen in this case:

"Something immense is happening as the world transitions to a hyperconnected state where, for many, the distinction between the real and virtual worlds has ceased to exist.... As Bob Dylan put it, “Something is happening here but you don’t know what it is, do you, Mr. Jones?”

"for many, the distinction between the real and virtual worlds has ceased to exist?"  Really, when the New York Times wants to publish an opinion piece on something, do they deliberately hunt out the single person on their staff that knows less about the subject than anyone else?

Does Mr. Cohen really suspect that people online can't tell the difference between, say, the real world and World of Warcraft?  God, talk about not knowing what it is.

Comments

magpie said…
Not sure I quite understand your outrage here, Green Eagle. Not familiar with Cohen though.

People have killed one another over issues that exist only in World of Warcraft.
I’m not kidding – some nerd killed another for something they call ‘gold’.

It’s the same as people who don’t see a half-black president as a politician, but as the anti-Christ instead.

You’ve made a life’s study of warped Right-wing delusions, mate, you KNOW a lot of people don’t get the concept of reality.

Wasn’t the article just a commentary on internet across borders?
Green Eagle said…
I guess, on second reading, I do sound to be ranting a bit.

I have a couple of kids, now in their twenties, who have spent their fair share of time online. I have never noticed that they were unable to distinguish between the online world and the real one. In fact, the whole idea is as ridiculous as suggesting that some kid growing up in the thirties couldn't distinguish between reality and Micky Mouse. It's just one more piece of nonsense that has always bothered me, and I guess this story just provided me with an excuse to vent.

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