Is this real life? In the novel the Circle, Mercer, the antagonist, is starting to think that Mae, the protagonist, can't distinguish between real and simulated life. Mercer's criticism for Mae was that all she does is "sit at a desk [for] twelve hours a day and ... [has] nothing to show for it except for some numbers that won't ... be remembered in a week" (Eggers 262). In using this quote, I will define real life as creating a physical change through personal interactions. And I will define simulated life as non-personal, over-the-screen interactions that do not result in any direct physical change. Mercer is not correct. The boundary between real and simulated life has become foggier for Mae and Mae is just becoming less adept at discerning this difference.
Mae is beginning to lose track of real life and simulated life. She was unsure about whether she was dreaming or if she was remembering reality. "It was the kind of random assemblage of details that dreams fumbled with" (225). Mae is zinging about what others have zinged about. Taking pictures of things others have experienced. She isn't engaged in what she is doing. Mae is being unoriginal and only artificially present.
Mae is only interested in improving her numbers. She wants to increase her PartiRank by "commenting on hundreds of ... photos and posts" (236). These posts are not constructive or meaningful as can be seen in their sheer volume. Mae is beginning to feel satisfied with her unproductive simulated life as can be seen with CircleSurveys. She feels accomplished in giving her "valuable" opinion without doing anything. "It was not difficult, and the validation felt good" (235). To click smile to support Ana Maria Herera and frown to denounce the Central Guatemalan Security Forces made Mae feel strong. "It gave her ... a distinct sense of the power [that] she could wield in her position" (245).
There has been an ongoing conversation in the media about living in the moment. That by capturing the moment with photos and videos we lose the novel-ness of it. This conversation has not changed anyone's actions though. Every day I see about one-fifth of people on the sidewalk looking at their phones and walking at the same time. This is not living in the moment, not enjoying what real life gives you. Its being absorbed in social media and living more of a simulated life. Having this conversation shows us we are at least aware of our decreased present-ness, unlike Mae. And just like Mae, we have all become more boring.
I completely agree with a large portion of your analysis. Simulated living can take away the certain novel-ness of situations in the moment. Living vicariously through a screen can be fun and exciting in moderation, but past a certain point it becomes unhealthy and obsessive. I am still extremely curious as to how there is no one else at the Circle that is struggling to accept this lifestyle like Mae is. How is everyone else so okay with living this way? The physical and mental toll it takes is obvious through Mae's struggles.
ReplyDeleteI agree that everybody seems to be chained to their phones, but I think that Mae is an extreme case. I like your point in your conclusion that we aren't living in the moment, I think that's very accurate, but I disagree that we're living a simulated life. I think relationships can be fostered through social media as an instant way to connect with someone in real time, and just because it isn't face to face doesn't make it any less significant
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree with your statement, "And just like Mae, we have all become more boring." I talked a lot about this in my blog post. As scary as the Circle sounds, are we that far from what's going on there? I like the way you said, "decreased present-ness". I think we often mistake true action for liking a facebook post.
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