PPE* Book Club: Ready Player One

Course Description

This book club will use the book as a spring board to engage with classical and contemporary political, philosophical, and economic debates. We will discuss the art of writing and literature, expand our understanding and use of language, while also challenging our ideas about the world and society. We'll dissect how IOI represents unchecked corporate power, examining real-world parallels to tech giants controlling our digital lives. Our discussions will explore the philosophical implications of virtual reality as escapism from economic inequality, and whether the OASIS liberates or further oppresses the masses. Key themes include: digital labor exploitation, the gamification of society, wealth concentration, and how virtual worlds reflect, or distort, democratic values. We'll analyse Wade's hero's journey as both individual empowerment and systemic critique. Perfect for students, professionals, and anyone questioning how technology shapes power structures. Each session combines close reading with contemporary case studies, from metaverse economics to platform governance. Our class will meet live 3 times. the 4th week will allow students to submit an (optional) essay which will be given feedback. Content Warning: Violence, death, suicide references, substance abuse, poverty, bullying, family dysfunction, mental health themes, mild sexual content, and romantic relationships. This book is rich in ideas, cultural references, and provides a powerful tool to explore current challenges in our society. Challenging topics, if brought up by Thinkers, will be discussed with appropriate academic framing, emphasising media literacy and critical thinking about digital relationships rather than explicit content.