Virtual Reality

I found the NPR interview Go Get a (Viral) Life to be so interesting from the interpretation and perspectives of Dmirtri Williams, Cory Ondrejka, and Sherry Turtle. Through online game and communities like Second Lifepsychologists, socialists, educators, etc. are able to use the virtual realms to study the creations, habits, interactions, and diversifications of individuals. Presently, the content for Second Life is open-sourced virtual platform that allows for millions of users to generate content. Although Second Life is used as a case study on several platforms, it is important to keep in mind that several rules are different in virtual reality compared to actual reality. For instance, avatars are not required to abide by presently established laws, the rules of physics do not apply, and nor do players necessarily have to reveal their real-life identity. However, research has found that the avatar is believed to be an aspect of one’s actual self that is projecting into this parallel virtual universe.

Having grown up in a household that did not allow any form of video games, I would say this world is a very different and new world to me. The mother that had called into the NPR interview had feelings and thoughts about the virtual world that did not run parallel to mine. I know that life can get busy, but I still believe, just like Sherry Turtle, that rough and tumble play is necessary at a young age. I know that my school had seen a decrease in academic focus, and a statistical decrease in grades when the game fortnite had gone viral on our campus---along with an increase of confiscated phones.

The documentary on Second Skin was eye opening for me to see how virtual worlds can truly manifest in everything you do---including your love life. I thought the opening quote “portals into realms existence” perfectly defined the concept of virtual reality. Through the documentary, it was interesting to see how invested the participants were in their guilds, relationships, craft, and world. Although I never have had the feeling that I wanted more than that reality had already presented me, I am happy to see that the virtual world is providing individuals that parallel universe for them to co-exist. However, I would be most interested to see how technology, and the virtual world will affect the Generation Natives compared to my own generation.