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16 October 2010

Where Are the iPhone Addicts and Facebook 'Stalkers' in Contemporary Fiction? [More:]The average fictional character is either so thoroughly disinterested in email, social media, and text messages he never thinks of it, or else hastily mentions electronic communications in the past tense. Sure, characters in fiction may own smart phones, but few have the urge to compulsively play with the device while waiting to meet a friend or catch a flight. This ever-present anachronism has made it so that almost all literary fiction is science fiction, a thought experiment as to what life might be like if we weren't so absorbed in our iPhones but instead watched and listened to the world around us at a moment's rest.
In other words, people like this are too boring to write about.
posted by BoringPostcards 16 October | 20:45
Nothing says good fiction like examining someone's six hour long session of checking Facebook and Twitter.

I'm sure we'll see plenty of negligent girlfriends and boyfriends on WoW or email or what have you in the future. I can see technology being use, as it often is, as a source of conflict.
posted by gc 16 October | 22:46
I just wanted to add:

This ever-present anachronism has made it so that almost all literary fiction is science fiction, a thought experiment as to what life might be like if we weren't so absorbed in our iPhones but instead watched and listened to the world around us at a moment's rest.

*makes the jacking off motion*

posted by gc 16 October | 22:47
This stuff is all common fodder for Law & Order Sport Utility Vehicle.
posted by arse_hat 16 October | 22:58
I thought the iPhone Addicts and Facebook 'Stalkers' were WRITING Contemporary Fiction...
posted by oneswellfoop 16 October | 23:10
Dennis Cooper's The Sluts plays out mostly as a series of forum posts and it really captures that feeling of watching an Internet drama unfold and people donning on the fly detective work and the layers of fake. It turns it into this very uncomfortable, almost furtive sensation - which fits the subject matter well.
posted by The Whelk 18 October | 19:13
The Dirtbombs "Ever Lovin' Man" || I take it back, this my favorite picture of myself ever.

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