"Busters" and Virtual Reality

Realities are changing. The computerized everyday life is provoking a new lifestyle, not through new philosophical ideas but as an ongoing culture of "experience" within the framework of "neutral" technologies. The reality becomes ever more complex through a diversity of experiences, and less and less "real."

This postmodern confusion of reality also makes the God-given reality of relationship and responsibilities between God and Man diffuse and relative. Ultimately, many people (sometimes without really acknowledging it) live with contradictions and confusions as a part of their core values in life. To a certain extent a whole generation, the so-called "busters," exemplify central issues of the flux, fluid and confusing nature of human-computer created "virtual reality."

Many "busters" are already computer experts deeply immersed into the realities of the Net and promoting its values into everyday life. Although the "buster generation" (or "Generation X") is commonly defined as people born between 1965 and 1980,¹⁸ it is more a matter of attitude than age. A common denominator for most of the busters is that they do not believe they can become a part of the "American dream" with corporate success, house in the suburbs, and financial rewards.

By trying to describe the buster generation and their values and mentality can help clarify the communication challenges’ Christians are facing on the Internet.

Firstly, the busters have a postmodern mindset. "They do not believe in absolute truth. To them, everything is relative and everything could be true."¹⁹

Secondly, busters can live with two contradictory ideas at the same time. They can be pro-choice in regard to abortion and pro-life in regard to whales and trees. They will also say they want a meaningful and lasting relationship with a lover, but if someone better comes along, they’d rather have him or her. ²⁰

Thirdly, busters want to build relationships on a grassroots level. Since they feel they cannot win on a large scale they look to win on a small scale like relationships, local causes, personal contributions.

Fourthly, busters are looking for and longing toward a transcendent meaning. In a way they are a "spiritual generation." Yet, with a postmodern mindset they do not believe in science alone, and sense that there must be something beyond what they can see, feel, touch, taste, and smell. This makes them open to Christianity but maybe even more to explore the exciting differentness in New Age, Eastern Religions and cults. The pantheistic idea of connecting with God through nature seems to have a special appeal.

Dieter Zander points out that many busters fear the future, because everything "out there" seems broken. Below the surface often lies pain. Close to 50 percent come from divorced and blended families. Many lack role modes necessary for success in life. The pain often creates a sense of aloneness, which in turn creates a desire for intimacy. Many busters are seeking family relationships they never had.

For busters, family is more frequently defined as those who will love them, not those who produced them. Often, friends are more "family" than are parents or siblings. Thus, community--open, safe, inclusive relationships in which people help each other rather than compete--is the highest value of this generation. ²¹

21. Ibid.

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