# community in the republic when newcomers first discover it one of their first questions is what they'll do all day if they stop mindlessly browsing the internets this otherwise excellent question illustrates just how dependent researchers are on information technology ie capitalism they face considerable trouble fathoming what life would be like without it fortunately there are countless answers to this question whole worlds out there on the other side of our screens yet often on the other side of the screen is just another reality of the virtual a simulacrum world that won't provide instant short term pleasure either while meaning forever delayed in the republic what it does appear to offer is fhm fulfillment happiness and meaning // [[republic of bob contents | imaginary pastime republic of bob]]