"The Road to Unreality," written by Mark Slouka, claims that it is possible to see, in a number of technologies spawned by recent developments in the computer worlds, an attack on the reality that human beings have always known (97). Simply put, Slouka believes that a computer-generated way of life can eventually put an end to reality, and he supports his claim with a number of valid examples.

Slouka believes that the move toward the world of virtual reality began with a number of dramatic movements. Urbanization, consumerism, increased mobility, loss of regionality, and a move away from the natural landscape, just to name a few, have given us an abstract point of view of the world because these events marked an end to a personal approach to life.

Symptoms of the comimg unreality-technology combination, such as driving on a highway as opposed to taking a brisk walk, are causing us to become quite comfortable with superhuman speed and the level of abstraction that it brings (97). For instance, Slouka states, "We can watch hours of nature programming, but place us in a forest or meadow and we don't know quite what to do with ourselves" (96).

The audience that Slouka is trying to reach is made up of those of us who still try to maintain a balance between abstract and tangible things. These people take full advantage of technology, but they still deal with objects they can touch and feel, so to speak. Slouka's objective is to persuade people to keep this balance. For example, Slouka himself takes full advantage of technological advances. He uses computers, takes flights, communicates with Email, and even credits technology with saving the lives of his wife and child. If it wasn't for the life saving techological device of an incubator, his child might not have survived. Slouka's complaint centers around the lack of concern over the consequences technology can have.

In the beginning of the essay, Slouka makes references to a legal case in 1990, in which a man accused of murdering his pregnant wife blamed a black person for the crime. The reporter asked a woman if she accepted his story. Her reply was, "I'm dying for the movie to come out so I can see how it ends" (95). I am not sure we can call this statement playful language, but it does serve a purpose. Slouka was able to shed light on cultural trends. More and more we are accepting a copy in place of an original (95). We are growing accustomed to artificial versions of life as portrayed on television.

In conclusion, my overall assessment of the essay is that it is a very good. I think it is well written and highly persuasive. I tried reading several assigned essays before I decided to critique this essay. It was the only one that grabbed and kept my attention from the beginning . I was so easily persuaded by his argument, because, for the last year, I have been asking myself how I ever managed to function without a computer or a cell phone. I realize that I was able to function without them just fine. I will be graduating in May, and I have managed to complete most of my college education without any aid from a personal computer. However, if for any reason I had to live without my computer at the present time, it would be difficult if not impossible for me to adjust. Therefore, his claim that we are on the road to unreality is valid in my opinion.

Slouka, Mark. "The Road to Unreality." CyberReader. 2nd ed. Ed. Victor J. Vitanza. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1999. 95-103.