I would definitely say that the highlight of this chapter was the real life duel of Prince vs. Cold Fox. As the chapter progressed Xiao Lan became more and more like Prince. Yang Ming also began acting like his online character personality. I think this chapter represents a shift in the story. Before this chapter, the characters’ online personas and their real life personas were kept separate. I think Xiao Lan’s transformation also represents a general fusion for all the characters. Their real life selves are merging with their game selves. So, the question is: “Which version is the real self?”
Philosophers and psychologists have been debating the about the concept of “self” for years. They still haven’t reached an answer. So for now, I just want to focus on Xiao Lan and the other characters.
- Which is Xiao Lan’s “real” self? Her online persona or real life self? And the other characters?
- Do the dictator of life and the other intelligent NPC’s have a “self”?
- If in the future we develop AI’s like Kenshin and SunShine, would they face identity problems?
- This chapter also argued the issue of the immortality. What might that mean for Fairsky and SunShine if Fairsky is the only one that will age?
- And no spoilers please.