Experience Machines: The Philosophy of Virtual Worlds

by Mark Silcox (Editor)

In his classic work Anarchy, State and Utopia, Robert Nozick asked his readers to imagine being permanently plugged into a 'machine that would give you any experience you desired'. He speculated that, in spite of the many obvious attractions of such a prospect, most people would choose against passing the rest of their lives under the influence of this type of invention. Nozick thought (and many have since agreed) that this simple thought experiment had profound implications for how we think about ethics, political justice, and the significance of technology in our everyday lives.

Nozick’s argument was made in 1974, about a decade before the personal computer revolution in Europe and North America. Since then, opportunities for the citizens of industrialized societies to experience virtual worlds and simulated environments have multiplied to an extent that no philosopher could have predicted. The authors in this volume re-evaluate the merits of Nozick’s argument, and use it as a jumping–off point for the philosophical examination of subsequent developments in culture and technology, including a variety of experience-altering cybernetic technologies such as computer games, social media networks, HCI devices, and neuro-prostheses.

242 pages, Hardcover

Published July 25, 2017

Reviews

[Kristine Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this quick and fun sci-fi novel. It’s a perfect blend of intriguing story-line, sympathetic characters and social commentary. Engaging from the first page, we are introduced to the inhabitants of Dixi Novo, a colony whose original settlers hailed from the southern USA, which has not been in contact with Earth for over a century. The year (from what I can gather) is 2592, but in the 100 year absence of earthly influence, the colonists of Dixi Novo have reverted to fairly typical human behaviour of gender and class discrimination and a social order that benefits the few.

We are first introduced to Canon Hardy – rather professor like – gagging on stale onion tasting candy from the colony’s recombination plant while planning how to welcome an unwanted “inspector from Earth”. We meet each character in the novel as Ivan, the inspector from Earth, meets them. The mash up of cultures gives us many skillfully written interactions between the characters that on the face are quite funny, but point to the stark differences between one society that has progressed and one that has turned back.

I found a lot of things about the novel charming. Hallucinogenic Glimmer buds; colonists bound to ceremonial traditions and who actually have no idea what they are doing; Thurifer Blackwell who appeals to those of us who would also choose intellectual pursuits over Redball, the sports game venerated by most colonists; Ruth16 who actually likes the number attached to her name because it makes her unique. Whether it’s the techno gadgets, the plights of the characters or the faces on the mountains it’s all relatable and very readable.

[Megan Schaller · Rating 5 out of 5]

yet again i am rating the books i read for my thesis project on goodreads instead of actually working on my thesis project. i really enjoyed this book, though! rather than reiterate tired old interpretations of nozick's experiment, the authors use the experience machine as a springboard to launch into discussions on everything from virtual ethics to experiential design. would recommend this book even to people who aren't procrastinating on their thesis!

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is the first sci-fi book I've read other than Margaret Atwood's. It is light reading and I expected a heavy laden vocabulary and convoluted plot from this author. Not sure why. I enjoyed the story but wonder why an editor wouldn't have caught the poor grammar bits. Far too many "that"s which aren't necessary. It's a good start but I look forward to what this writer does next.