"Dystopia". Huh. I think that might be my new favorite word. Thanks, Mr. Constant.

Your assertion that it was the "whirlwind of nostalgia" that sucked the life out of the world in this story is absurdly off base. Nostalgia did not cause the dystopia. Instead, it was crushing poverty, resource competition and exhaustion, environmental calamity and several other global problems (including the nuclear destruction of a few cities) which caused the dystopia to arise. In fact, one of the few bright spots in this dystopia was the ability to escape into the OASIS to hide in games and nostalgia. The nostalgia was a product of the dystopia, not is cause. Sheesh.

I just started this book and I'm loving it so far. Paul, if I ever make it out to Seattle, I owe you a drink or two for all the great suggestions you've made from movies and books to TV. Thanks!