Culture in Rainbows End often relies on or is shaped by technology; and even forms of culture that aren't changed themselves still are surrounded by new tech. For instance, take soccer, which is a very old game; but the first time we see it, we hear about how the advertising is old-fashioned (Prologue.12)—except for the mind control experiment that someone is running.
The second time we see soccer it's being played in a strange variation called Egan soccer that involves a lot of probabilities. Because Robert is focused on "literature," he doesn't recognize that art and culture are all around in some form or other. After all, one of the big subplots involves the "community"—constructed virtual worlds that the belief circles make (which are often inspired by books).
Questions About Art and Culture
- Are different forms of culture more or less valuable in this book? Do any of the characters think there are better forms of culture?
- Are there forms of culture that aren't covered by the book? Sports? Painting? Music? Are all these different types of culture present in video games in the future?
- How does culture get made in this book? Is it individual-made or "community"-made or both? How does culture change?
- How do different characters approach the issue of culture?
Chew on This
In Rainbows End, culture is less important than technology and power.
Rainbows End demonstrates that culture is what makes us human.