Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Virtual realities can be used in a number of ways, including but not limited to, mental health, health, entertainment, and to mimic real existing places etc. For example in the New York Times article, In Room 100, It's Sid and Nancy all over again, by Saki Knafo, Knafo talks about the Chelsea Hotel which changed ownership and under went some renovations. Some of the authentic and old style things were removed, specifically the pigeonhole mailboxes. However, Michael Brown wished to live there his whole life. When he finally did visit, he took pictures then decided to make a virtual reality version of it on Second Life. Ed hamilton was notified and was excited that the mailboxes were still there. Virtual Reality has many pros for example the possibilities that they are coming up with are astounding. The Forbes article, After Second Life Can Virtual Worlds Get a Reboot, by Diane Mehta lists some of the possible advances " ...in education, in deliver services, or as an advanced form of telehealthcare that offers so much more that videoconferencing". This would allow a more convenient service at the ease of ones home for the doctor.

 The pros are about convenience and efficiency. A doctor doing virtual reality check ups will be able to do more check ups that way than if making house calls. Also they Foster creativity by allowing for customization to a whole new level. The Mehta also stats that about 50% of the virtual realities accounts are owned by children (ages 5-15). However, a negative effect might be lack of communication skills and relentlessness to create them because people are interacting online.

 

Virtual Realities foster creativity in a similar way to drawing or painting. Virtual reality however is interactive, users can create a domain of space from virtually nothing. Then have to roam it with their customized avatar.

The future might look like all the subconsciousness of our elders and loved ones who pasted away be uploaded into these Virtual realities to roam free and live potentially forever.