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jpfromlondontoday at 9:52 AM3 repliesview on HN

I wish to read this but I'm on page 600 of my first pass of the book and worry it'll spoil it for me.

At risk of marking myself a "lit-bro" I think the book is proving solidly prophetic.


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chiplytoday at 10:00 AM

So in general, I'd say there's maybe 1-2 spoilers, but nothing major. If you want truly 0 spoilage, I wouldn't read it, but if you can tolerate some very minor stuff, you're likely safe.

If you're on page 600 though, there's no spoilers.

Edit: and yes, DFW presaged a lot with this book! Especially around how entertainment has evolved and the negative impact it has. The 'doom scroll' feature is literally called 'infinite scroll' in the software industry. Scary stuff :-/

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nephihahatoday at 10:42 AM

The main prophetic thing in there is the notion of people watching media until they die. I've been dealing with a sixty something recently who has managed to become dehydrated and malnourished from watching too much YouTube recently. He has back trouble from inactivity and his back has made him yet more inactive. All he does is watch ragebait on YouTube now.

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achenettoday at 10:39 AM

Solidly prophetic?

Er, it kind of predicts the internet, but everything else?

Quebec separatism? Corporate sponsored calendar? All of North America under the same flag? Dumping toxic waste in/on Québec instead of Africa ?

none of things actually happened

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