The Never Ending Now

Netflix and other streaming services seem to do a good job of resurfacing TV shows and movies from the past. Much more effectively than syndication or cable channels did since they're all available all the time.

Why low content when it may lead someone to reconsider their consumption and move them into more historically substantial documents or writing?

I wrote something[1] in a similar vein recently. My take is that we as a species are just not ready for this. We weren’t ready for near-free sugar and we are not ready for instantaneous, global communication. As individuals we are very capable but as a whole we need more time to grow.

I like the idea of atemporal media consumption. I ended up doing that unintentionally in college years ago, catching up on 1950-70s classics and browsing through the corresponding Wiki pages. I did the same thing re: Israel/Palestinine conflicts a few years ago, trying to grok the issues in depth and context. From my personal experience it works amazingly well, giving me a look into a world that is no longer the same. Only problem is that the effects are short-lived, like a Habitat for Humanity mission. Once you are back in your own world, that other world is a distant memory.

This is in contrast to my one very short experience using a VR headset just once. I have had more flashbacks to swimming along side a massive alien ship than recollections of Hitchcock or Woody Allen movies. Maybe VR history worlds would be a good remedy to his “now” problem.

1. http://chir.ag/201810301545