Science Fiction Deja Vu
May 24th, 2006
Science fiction can be extremely thought provoking, particularly to one who thinks about the future. There are novels that are fantastical and take place centuries in the future in galaxies ‘far far away’, populated by weird creatures and other worldly landscapes. Then there are the many novels that are more conceptual, set slightly in the future on planet Earth that posit interesting social views and visions of how humanity might live and be governed; far enough ahead to allow a disconnect from current reality, but close enough to current day that they seem possible. It is these novels that can provide fodder for thought about the future and what might be ahead for humanity.
All of this came to mind when I read an article last week in the New York Times about a new phenomenom in Japan. In the last seven years, 10 Gran Cyber Cafes have opened in Tokyo. These facilities are open 24 hours and are full of cubicles that can be rented for any length of time. In the cubicles there are DVD players, VCRs, high speed Internet connections, sound systems, regular and satellite TV, video game consoles and computers loaded with software. Nearby there are libraries with thousands of DVDs, VHS tapes, comic books, magazines and novels. A customer can come in for an hour or can spend the night. Couples can share open cubicles to watch together. There is an overnight rate from 11p – 8a which draws both those with no place to sleep and young people who want a night away from their parents. All of this seems to be acceptable, safe and a part of the urban Japanese culture.
This story reminded me of a couple of common themes from near-future science fiction read years ago. One theme is that of an overpoulated, gritty, densely urbanized Earth where the population, to find relief from the oppressive, work-a-day world, take short cyber or drug induced vacations or trips in special pods or socially created places for hours or days. This is provided for a populace that is readily desirous of truly escapist entertainment and cannot afford the cost of interplanetary travel for a true vacation as there are few or no remaining vacation spots left on Earth. The second and similar theme provides the same scenario but is more ominous because there is a ‘big brother’ planetary government that needs a productive economic structure populated by hard working masses to support it. This controlling government knows that to keep everyone happy there has to be deeply distracting and immersive experiences provided so that the populace can have a sense of fun and escape. Of course these escapes can’t last too long, so they must be intense and relatively brief. Sometimes there are even special 3-D or holographic channels programmed into the homes to be experienced with licensed mind-altering drugs so the escape is just a few hours.
So, life on Earth has caught up with science fiction. A new, ‘third place’ has emerged, at least in Japan. In the United States, and elsewhere, third places are coffee shops, gyms and cybercafes, but so far nothing like the Gran Cyber Cafes. It is quite conceivable that this might just be a Japanese phenomenon, particularly suited to a densely populated, highly rigid society where living quarters are tiny, young adults live with their parents and electronic, highly stylized pop culture is a tradition. Or, as has often been the case in recent decades, elements of electronic and economic culture start first in Japan and then migrate elsewhere. As a father of a nineteen year old young man with a highly developed sense of pop culture and trends, I think the latter is the better prediction. Since the age of 11 my son has embraced Japanese anime, manga(graphic novels and comics), and derivative video games and movies. It has been years since he has instructed me on how to read graphic novels from back to front, introduced me to stunningly beautiful and hip animation and helped me understand the unique aesthetic of such pop art, all of which is now commonplace in the United States.
In the years ahead then, get ready for a nearby location where you can drop from view, get lost for hours and perhaps take that escapist, much needed, stress reducing, cell phone free vacation – say next Tuesday night.
May 24th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
I don’t think that the cyber cafe was too shocking or even innovative of an idea. Internet cafes have existed for a while throughout Japan, China and Korea (and with them the horror stories) and have been frequented by teens and adolescents.
I think they aren’t as prevalent in the US because cities here arent as tightly packed as urban areas in Asia and most kids own computers and entertainment centers at home (and have less stress inducing parents) so there isn’t as much of a need to escape and gather at internet cafes.
May 25th, 2006 at 5:40 am
You could be right that this phenomenon might not migrate to the US. Please don’t confuse cyber cafes with what was described. Cyber cafes basically are coffee houses with lots of Internet connectivity, the Gran Cyber Cafes are much more of an immersive environment with practically all media represented and escapism the driving force.
As per my post on sleep:”In the Future, Let’s Us All Get Caught Napping”, there are already ‘nap pods’ in Manhattan, why not ‘escapist pods’?
David
May 25th, 2006 at 8:42 am
There’s no doubt in my mind you are on to something. I hate to point to movies for “what’s-to-come”, but it’s difficult not to. Total Recall and Monority Report are two that come to mind. Both of which were based on Phiip Dick novels – another futurist.
Both films have their own futuristic versions of gran cyber cafes. If we had the sensory capabilities beyond internet, televisions and DVD players, like in the films, wouldn’t those be offered? Who wouldn’t want to go to a far off land, albeit in the mind only, if they could? Isn’t that the same end-game as a book or movie?
I would try it.
May 25th, 2006 at 9:39 am
There will be a increasing amount of cyber plug-in experiences available in the years ahead. Brain wave research merging with cyber space to create the Neurosphere if you will.
By the way Dave Phillip K. Dick is one great futurist, I agree. I think the visual advertising landscape in Minority Report is soon to be here.
David
May 25th, 2006 at 10:46 am
“I think the visual advertising landscape in Minority Report is soon to be here.”
I certainly hope not…although I think you are right. Ad sensory overload is not a good thing for the advertising industry. Cars are being warpped by advertisers and then leased for substantial discounts. What’s next? School busses? Hmmm…I may be on to something there.
May 25th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
Hey, last year a guy auctioned off his forehead for $25,000 to have a company logo tattoo put on it. Budgets are strained everywhere, leading people to do things they might not otherwise do.
May 28th, 2006 at 5:02 pm
I don’t know where it ends, the penetration of advertising into our minds. It seems that nothing isn’t for sale these days. As David mentioned, the guy who auctioned off his forehead. A girl recently auctioned off her virginity on eBay, although the winning bidder gave the money without taking the service.
The article speaks of a few small towns in the U.S. that have agreed to rename themselves after companies and websites.
http://cbs2chicago.com/watercooler/local_story_321082357.html
I dunno…I’m into freedom of choice, but some of these choices seem very sad to me. If it hasn’t happened yet or we haven’t heard about it, here’s a prediction – soon, people will be naming their kids (or themselves) after companies or products in exchange for a fee. “Hi, my name is Yahoo.com, pleased to meet you!” Of course that doesn’t carry as much weight as a town, or maybe a state…how about a country? “Welcome to the United States of Googledom, where anything is possible!”
Sorry for the tangent. All that being said, I’m into the Japanese Gran Cyber Cafe concept, and would surely be willing to invest in such a business opportunity if it presented itself. Regardless of online gaming and what kids can do at home, there is nothing like a true virtual experience, and people here or anywhere would go for it.
Great piece David, thanks.
Arman
May 29th, 2006 at 4:05 am
We had the case of a footballer who changed his name by deed poll so it was ‘Whiskas’, a brand of pet food. People do all sorts of crazy things if theres a buck in it. And they’ll never stop innovating for the same reason.
The Gran CyberCaf is an interesting phenom. It seems to me it could be more one of those idiosyncratic Japanese fads rather than the beginning of a worldwide trend though. Its true that Japanese culture is popular in the west but it rarely survives the trip intact. Its more a cherry picking of styles and ideas than a straight appropriation. Like Karaoke, In Japan this is characterised by hiring a small room with friends whereas in the west its more likely to be performing in front of a bar of inebriated would-be idols.
But the GCC could be influenced by the Hikkimori sociological phenomenon. Where Japanese youth have chosen to withdraw from social life. Often locking themselves in their bedrooms for years at a time. This has caused big scandal in Japan as several youths eventually went quite insane and became violent. Perhaps there has been a reaction to this with families pushing the kids out and GCC popping up as an external venue of isolation for the kids?