The VR frontier From Garden Toys to Smartphones

In exploring the transformation of threats from the supernatural to the technological, Stephen King’s original 1975 short story “The Lawnmower Man” and its 1992 film adaptation provide a compelling narrative shift that mirrors societal fears. King’s story features a lawnmower man, a servant of the god Pan, whose autonomous lawnmower becomes an instrument of horror, teaching us about the fear of ancient, uncontrollable forces.

Academic Insight into Threats:

The original story’s threat is deeply rooted in folklore and the supernatural, illustrating the terror of the unknown and the intrusion of myth into reality. Here, the lesson is about respecting ancient mysteries and the chaos they can unleash. Conversely, the film adaptation presents a modern threat where technology, specifically VR, becomes a tool for altering human cognition, raising questions about ethical boundaries in scientific experimentation. This shift underscores contemporary anxieties around AI, VR, and the potential for technology to transcend human control.

Literary and Theoretical Parallels:

To deepen our understanding, we can draw connections with influential works:

• Simulacra and Simulation by Jean Baudrillard: Baudrillard’s exploration of hyperreality—where simulations blur with reality—parallels the film’s VR theme. An excerpt that resonates: “Simulation is no longer that of a territory, a referential being or a substance. It is the generation by models of a real without origin or reality: a hyperreal.” This concept echoes Jobe’s transformation, where VR becomes his new reality, more real than the physical world.
• Neuromancer by William Gibson: Gibson’s novel introduces cyberspace, a concept that has shaped the discourse on digital existence. A relevant extract: “Cyberspace. A consensual hallucination experienced daily by billions of legitimate operators… A graphic representation of data abstracted from the banks of every computer in the human system.” This imagery directly relates to the virtual worlds Jobe explores, providing a literary precursor to the film’s exploration of digital realms.
• Out of Control by Kevin Kelly: Kelly’s work discusses the merging of natural evolution and technological progress. An insightful quote: “Technology is not just a collection of tools, but a living, evolving entity, much like a biological organism.” This aligns with the film’s portrayal of Jobe as a being evolving beyond human through technology, suggesting a symbiosis between human and machine.

The Matrix Connection:

The idea of a controlling matrix in “The Matrix” film series provides a modern parallel to the themes in “The Lawnmower Man.” Both narratives delve into simulated realities that challenge human autonomy. An excerpt from “The Matrix” script that ties into our discussion: “The Matrix is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.” This reflects the control exerted by VR over Jobe, similar to the control the Matrix has over humanity.

References:

• Baudrillard, J. (1981). Simulacra and Simulation.
• Gibson, W. (1984). Neuromancer.
• Kelly, K. (1994). Out of Control: The New Biology of Machines, Social Systems, and the Economic World.
• Wachowski, L., & Wachowski, A. (1999). The Matrix (Screenplay).