Endless entertainment
I never liked Zizek, and I never read any of his books, but nonetheless, the plague of fantasies sticks in my mind sometimes. I haven't even read a summary of the book, so for all I know I'm guessing completely incorrectly about what he meant. To me, the title invokes the modern world. Everything we could want (or at least virtual versions of it) are at our fingertips, but instead of being happy or contented we're only becoming more isolated and more neurotic.
I was out sick yesterday with a stomach bug. I was not in any shape to work, but I also was not feverish or disoriented. (for the most part) I have given up most social media. Youtube is my only current vice. But I didn't watch any yesterday. I mostly just read. I have a nice Stephen King book, Desperation, and I just read and napped most of the day. I'm reading because I want to avoid digital entertainment. And even in my success, I still feel exhausted. I'm well enough to work today. Part of what's motivating me is that I don't want to jump straight into another book. There are too many books, too many shows, too many games. When I was a child, I nearly meditated by accident. Or out of necessity. There was nothing to do. I plumbed the depths of my thoughts. I'm not sure how much I learned, but it was peaceful.
You might argue that this is all my fault, and in the normal sense you'd be correct. But, I feel like a prisoner to my own desires. Captured by a plague of fantasies. I feel like an alcoholic in a Walmart. I've made it through my week, but the liquor isle is right next to the checkout. Tempting me. I want to be finished with things. I want to be so bored that my thoughts become interesting. But the modern world has teamed up with my core psychology, and is acting against my interests.