Ready Player One book is the Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 of our time

The Ready Player One film adaptation is now playing nationwide. So I had to read the novel to familiarize myself with the story. I’m glad I did.

Ready Player One is a 2011 novel by Ernest Cline. It follows teenager Wade Watts, who lives the majority of his life online in an MMORPG  called the Oasis. When the creator dies, an epic scavenger hunt begins for control of the company and his vast fortune. Along the way he comes face to face with a ruthless corporation that will stop at nothing to gain control of the Oasis. Think of it as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for today’s audience, with a lot more action and adult themes.

A film adaptation was picked up almost at the same time as the book was published. It may not sound like a horror story, but it almost eerily mirrors today’s society and everything going on with Net Neutrality.  It is also a reminder that we shouldn’t let technology control our lives as much. Yes I realize the irony of that statement.

At first glance it may seem like Ready Player One is working solely on nostalgia, but that’s not the case. The story is much deeper. As someone who doesn’t get out much, I can identify with Wade Watts. Most of my social interaction since I turned 18 years old and moved to a small town has been online. On one hand it’s appealing to be online, because you can be whoever you want to be. On the other hand you start to wonder if the people you meet are really who they say they are.

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Technology is great, but we shouldn’t let it cause us to lose our humanity, and miss the random beauty in our real world. Well residents of Elm Street, are you ready to enter the Oasis?