Mimicking reality through model versions of reality, virtual worlds combines creativity with community.
The uses of these virtual worlds are limitless, as a representation of reality, it can help show visual representations and actions of a prototype. It can also be a space of interaction and communication through avatars. It can be a gaming application for some to just roam a virtual world and experience things in a game like setting. The list goes on and on. The pros are that because it creates a model of reality, it can be used in training simulations for flight, driving, medicine, and other fields of expertise. Improving skills can be practiced virtual minimizing risk and cost. One of the specific pros, involve psychological therapy treatment through exposure in virtual worlds for veterans suffering from PTSD. In the Forbes article, "After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get a Reboot?", it discusses recreations of an environment where PTSD can be triggered, and slowly exposing it through virtual interactions, as a viable therapeutic treatment. In the WSJ article, "Avatar II: The Hospital", it discusses an immersive virtual world that is created to prepare hospitals and nurses for scenarios. Training through such method is a smart application of the platform of virtual worlds.
With these examples, it goes to show just one of the many possible applications and impacts that virtual worlds can have on everyday life.
As for the cons, it is definitely time consuming and costly to build out a platform that can accurately capture reality. Developers face difficulties in basic laws of physics, small details, and potential lag within the system, all detracting from the experience of a virtual world that models reality.
Virtual worlds fostering creativity for the user through it being highly interactive. The world is a sandbox for a user to build out whatever they have in mind. For example, Minecraft is a virtual world that essential has users build their environment to their desire, given a tool to harvest the materials. In other ways, these worlds that model after reality, are virtual, meanings things are possible there that might not be for reality, leading users to think outside the box, and be creative in how they go about in the world.
While previous attempts have only scratched the surface in terms of detail and immersion for virtual worlds, I think the future, with the help of AR/VR and further developments in graphics and technology, will create something amazing. I think that there will be a time when reality will be hard to differentiate from virtual worlds, which brings up so many questions of when, how, moral and ethical values, as well as how it'll shape the future. The topic is open for discussion.
Resources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianemehta/2013/04/30/after-second-life-can-virtual-worlds-get-a-reboot/#6c72802e735a
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703909804575124470868041204
The uses of these virtual worlds are limitless, as a representation of reality, it can help show visual representations and actions of a prototype. It can also be a space of interaction and communication through avatars. It can be a gaming application for some to just roam a virtual world and experience things in a game like setting. The list goes on and on. The pros are that because it creates a model of reality, it can be used in training simulations for flight, driving, medicine, and other fields of expertise. Improving skills can be practiced virtual minimizing risk and cost. One of the specific pros, involve psychological therapy treatment through exposure in virtual worlds for veterans suffering from PTSD. In the Forbes article, "After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get a Reboot?", it discusses recreations of an environment where PTSD can be triggered, and slowly exposing it through virtual interactions, as a viable therapeutic treatment. In the WSJ article, "Avatar II: The Hospital", it discusses an immersive virtual world that is created to prepare hospitals and nurses for scenarios. Training through such method is a smart application of the platform of virtual worlds.
With these examples, it goes to show just one of the many possible applications and impacts that virtual worlds can have on everyday life.
As for the cons, it is definitely time consuming and costly to build out a platform that can accurately capture reality. Developers face difficulties in basic laws of physics, small details, and potential lag within the system, all detracting from the experience of a virtual world that models reality.
Virtual worlds fostering creativity for the user through it being highly interactive. The world is a sandbox for a user to build out whatever they have in mind. For example, Minecraft is a virtual world that essential has users build their environment to their desire, given a tool to harvest the materials. In other ways, these worlds that model after reality, are virtual, meanings things are possible there that might not be for reality, leading users to think outside the box, and be creative in how they go about in the world.
While previous attempts have only scratched the surface in terms of detail and immersion for virtual worlds, I think the future, with the help of AR/VR and further developments in graphics and technology, will create something amazing. I think that there will be a time when reality will be hard to differentiate from virtual worlds, which brings up so many questions of when, how, moral and ethical values, as well as how it'll shape the future. The topic is open for discussion.
Resources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianemehta/2013/04/30/after-second-life-can-virtual-worlds-get-a-reboot/#6c72802e735a
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703909804575124470868041204
I agree with what you said about the future virtual world. I believe it will be hard to differentiate from reality and virtual world due to the how similar the real world and the platform will be.
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