Virtual reality was mentioned in another topic and I wish to ask others their opinion on virtual reality.
In your opinion, what constitutes virtual reality? Do you think it is even possible? And if it is, what might be the ramifications, personally and culturally? Other thoughts?
Nobody has an exact definition of virtual reality. It exists anywhere between the current technology (Oculus Rift) and fanciful technology (holodeck via Star Trek).
It's possible right now in relatively primitive forms, but the technology is being aggressively refined. The biggest investors right now are not entertainment, but rather military (both for training and drone warfighting capabilities). Those applications will filter down to general business, industry, communications, and entertainment. Those industries are also dumping money into VR. So, expect some of their advances to filter up to government / military.
The impact within our lifetimes (except perhaps for the very young) will only be minimal to moderate, I think. Beyond that, it will be much more profound.
Ish,
A question, if I may. I sort of understand present day VR, but was not a Star Trek watcher, so went to youtube to check it out. To me, seems a real flaw in that version.
I would expect VR to simulate exactly what one perceive in true reality. They obviously knew what they were seeing wasn't reality, rather a "fake". What I am saying could open up a can of worms for a user of VR, don't you think?
When it was obvious that the internet wasn't a fad, lots of people worried about it opening all sorts of worm cans. And, in some instances, they were right. But yet the benefits have largely outweighed the detrimental aspects. For example, a site that helps strip club hobbyists get the best... errr... bang for their buck.
I don't know of any conceptual version of VR where the user is completely unaware that it's fake. But sure, you could extrapolate VR to highly unethical uses once the technology reaches Star Trek levels. Example: interrogation. If you're waterboarded in VR, then have you actually been tortured?
The other negative result is that certain personalities may become lost, disconnected, or obsessed within VR. That type of dysfunction could become an issue well before "holodeck" VR.
But unhealthy, obsessive fantasy behaviors are not new and already present minus advanced VR. Example: San Jose Guy.
It's probably going to be a bumpy road, but we'll travel it anyway. Humans have essentially never turned away from technology based on ethical concerns.
Also... porn.
Could be fun, but I fear that it will turn all of our young people into lumps where they never leave their computer screens or VR headsets. lol at what's happening now everyone's eyeballs are glued to their smartphones
Good to see you back Clubber.
SJG
The typical order of technological innovation is:
A holodeck version of VR would be very active. Worf has training programs, Data learned how to dance, in "Generations" the crew was sailing a ship and the water was real (the holodeck replicates actual objects/matter as much as possible).
In "Insurrection" there was a plan to use a "holoship" to recreate an entire village (big hole in that plot was that the ship was too small).
In Deep Space 9, there were many inferences that the "holosuites" were used for sex with holographic partners.
A "holojoint" would never run out of good strippers, there would always be one you like, they could be programmed to play hard to get for those of us that enjoy the chase, and they could even make out in the front room so SJG would have something to do.
It will probably look something like 14:07:
I've seen a patent for VR implanted in a contact lens. That would be amazing to see it in a product. Assuming the VR had photo realistic images etc and was comfortable to wear. What strip club customers would like to see are VR enhancements. Go into a strip club or any club, select an option to take off woman's clothes to see anyone naked, record images. Maybe 100 years from now they will have MRI tech that can be added to contact lens if not implanted in the body that lets you scan inside bodies checking for problems in arteries, etc. Maybe the implants could be nanobots floating free in the blood with a wireless neural link to your brain to enable VR without devices like a contact lens.
I know a guy who claimed he co invented the first VR helmet. I havent talked to him in over 20 years. He's probably still living out in the boondocks after all that government hacking he did. I wonder if he ever built the new engine design he said he had? He said he had to redesign the entire car though. He'll probably have it ready a year after everyone is only buying electric cars.
If one knows something is fake, then it is far from reality.
"If one knows something is fake, then it is far from reality."
Hence, the use of the term 'virtual'.
Won't work. Does anyone think seeing the Grand Canyon via VR will actually suffice for visiting a place like the Grand Canyon? Not even close.
How about the tactile feeling process? Smelling? There is "virtually" no end to the differences, including visual.
Perhaps. Then again, I would never have been able to look at my old Ma Bell rotary phone and project what phones would become 40 years later.
I have no idea what direction this technology will take or how far it might go in my lifetime, but technology historically has been unkind to the "It'll never work" guys.
We shall see.
Ish,
I think it can work once they develop input into the brain that doesn't involve our traditional senses.
