Comic #7201: tech
Description
Here’s a detailed transcription of the comic:
Panel 1:
- Character 1 (with headphones on): "Why do you spend so much time working on your VR setup?"
- Character 2 (sitting at a computer): "I’m trying to use less technology."
Panel 2:
- Character 1: "But—people are always talking about tuning out of life-invading modern tech, but there’s a collective action problem."
Panel 3:
- Character 2: "If I drop off a network I’m literally losing friends. I can’t just drop out and reconnect elsewhere."
Panel 4:
- Character 2: "The only way to make a better society would be for everyone to drop out at once and prefer networks not controlled by corporate outsiders that refuse to observe a difference between engagement and community!"
Panel 5:
- Character 1: "So… I’m existing in a virtual world where everyone actually drops out."
Panel 6:
- Character 1: "Everyone in real reality has a phone connected to 400 other phones using twelve billion apps that constantly distract. In this universe I’m using one device I control, and I’m not even aware of it most of the time!"
Panel 7:
- Character 2: "Today, inside this device, I’m 12 and I’m going fishing with friends, telling stories around a campfire, and then I have a chase but I’m taking a beach stroll with a girl who laughs at my jokes."
Panel 8:
- Character 1 (looking concerned): "But… but it isn’t a genuine experience."
Panel 9:
- Character 2: "Bing! You have 47 messages in your inbox."
Panel 10:
- Text message bubble: "This crime will SHOCK you. Are you IQ? If so…"
Panel 11 (Last Panel):
- Character 1 and Character 2 sitting side by side, both wearing VR headsets.
Footer:
- Text: "patreon.com/zachweinersmith"
- Web Address: "smbc-comics.com"
Let me know if there’s anything else you need!