GITS: SAC - "Escape From" - On Escapism

The twelfth episode of "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" centers around Batou's Tachikoma unit, who takes it upon itself to joyride around the city. He meets a young girl and helps her search for a lost pet, only to find a mysterious box. After reprimanding the Tachikoma, Major Kusanagi examines the box, discovering the mind and work of a skilled filmographer, as well as dozens of people who used the box as a means of escapism from the real world.

This episode serves as a lighthearted break from the main storyline, but at the same time, it reveals a subplot pertaining to Kusanagi's distrust of the developing autonomy of the Tachikomas as a whole. However, that is a story for another article. More importantly, the ability to dive into a movie, or a game, and just let go of reality is not a foreign concept. And in many ways, it's something of a dangerous one.

I don't want to point fingers or list names, but the entertainment industry is pretty notorious for creating media which you will want to keep interacting with. It is its own form of addiction. You will find stories in the real world of individuals marathoning this media in all forms, and then eventually collapsing from neglect of health. Those who don't take it that far may still neglect their jobs, their families, and so forth.

Throwing virtual realities into the mix only adds gasoline to an already roaring fire. How long until the game plays you?

My post on gaming society explored this with gambling. It served to demonstrate that moderation in all things is the key. Same rules apply.