Suggestion: Lotus Eater Machine

I think I've found a good suggestion: Tom Cruise trapped in VR◊ from Minority Report. It notably shows both the machine and the fantasy in the same shot, with the subject clearly in a state of bliss.

Opened.

It might be a bit hard to make out at wiki size. Any caption that would help?

Here's one crop at 350px. I think it still works without a caption, but a good one certainly wouldn't hurt.

I don't think it will work for people who haven't seen the movie.

What part of it requires context? I see a person in a sci-fi-looking suit and headgear looking blissful and out of it while surrounded by people who aren't real.

His expression is a bit hard to make out, and it's not an easy trope to interpret from a single image. However, I think it's still better than nothing.

Is there a different shot of that scene that could be used? I'm with the Duck, his facial expression isn't terribly clear...when I first saw it, it looked like a grimace to me.

Ok, I did an alternate crop with more detail; his head's already turned to one side, so it might actually work better than #4. I don't know about grimace, but I would say that he looks content and happy.

edited 16th Jul '15 4:32:37 PM by Morgenthaler

Bump. How about 9?

Looks good to me.

It's better than 4. Even if the composition is worse.

edited 5th Aug '15 4:45:40 PM by AnotherDuck

Way worse. What about a crop with him centered and 1.5 people on each side of him? Or a link to the original, and someone else can do that?

I think said link-to-the-original is in the OP, fortunately.

^^ Be my guest; I put the link in the OP for a reason.

Oops, duh.

^ That does suggest "machine" stronger than 9.

Yeah, that's better.

I suppose the latest version will work (his face is certainly more clear), but a good caption will help the overall effect.

More witty then clear, but maybe "If you think you can escape, keep dreaming"?

I like that caption.

Uh, I don't think that guys is trapped at all. He's actually using a rented VR machine for entertaiment purposes. If I remember correctly.

Being trapped is a common aspect of a Lotus-Eater Machine, but it's not a necessary one. (Voluntary escapism is also commonly described in the example list.)

Something more subtle like "If you're thinking about leaving, keep dreaming", then?

This has been going around in circles with very little progression. I think we're in agreement that the last version in #16 is the best, and no other suggestions besides the OP have been offered, which is better than no picture. Any other thoughts on the caption, or should we continue this discussion in the caption repair thread?