The trouble, and this is way philosophical, has been touched on more
times than a ... well, let's just keep going... the real trouble is
when it's not virtual reality but different reality. Virtual reality
means a reality that is distinctly different from the, and here I
quote, "Real world." The thing about a direct neural stimulation is
that it's pretty much gonna be impossible to tell it apart from
reality, if that's what the person making the thing wants and if tht's
whaat the market demands.
I ask you, and yes this is related, what's the point of rendering
graphically every single blade of gras in a field. What is the point
in making blood splatters so realistic that they look identical to
real life? I don't know, but that's what the graphics enthusiasts
want. Environments that are entirely manipulatable, entirely
destructive, and entirely too real. I'm not just talking about the
nutballs who are unbalanced. I'm talking about pretty much anyone who
calls themself a gamer. There's no going back to the old days of crap
graphics. Eventually, our own high performance technology will be old
news, and the graphics might just look real enough that they jump out
and get you, but it's still just a picture on a screen, but what
happens when the graphics are generated by the world's most advanced,
most complicated, and most versitile computer, the human brain itself.
I'm not talking about something we have now, but isn't it possible
that the reality device we eventually construct can find the neurons
which contain the smell for, say, apple pie, and they trigger those
neurons. You don't think you smell apple pie or want to smell apple
pie, you actually smell it. At that point, if the person generates
their own reality, then that is their reality.
This is hugely philosophical and wildly off topic, especially
considering that the device that these university reserchers have made
is essentially a glorified body motion tracker, but it is worth
considering. We all assume that the person will be able to tell the
difference between reality and the game world, but when that
difference is more conceptual than psychological, who will want to
leave a world in which they and their friends are popular, important,
heroic, handsome, wealthy, powerful, and so forth. It's not a question
of being balanced or unbalanced. People respond to positive stimuli by
doing whatever it is that stimulates them more. Drugs, sex, rock and
roll, running, eating chocolate, what ever you want to point to, it's
all reinforced by reactions in the mind and in the brain, and the
impressive array of awesomeness which is a main character in a game
is, beyond question, a strong positive reinforcement. That's why games
are addictive. Sure, they're an escape, but they're only an escape
because they're so addictive. That's why more people ply games than
enter sensory deprivation tanks.
I hope you guys enjoyed this rambling wayword post.
Signed:
Dakotah Rickard
On 7/26/12, Thomas Ward <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Cara,
Exactly my point. People seriously need to try enjoy the life they
have, deal with their problems in a mature and meaningful manner, and
not try and use games as a substitute for life. Games, although fun
and entertaining, are only a temporary pass time and nothing more. No
matter how addictive virtual reality gaming may be it is no more and
no less than a temporary pass time and often a poor substitute for
reality.
For example, in theory someone could fill a giant pool or tub full of
water, warm it to 75 degrees, put on a pair of V.R. goggles, and jump
in. The V.R. goggles might give him/her the simulation of swimming in
the ocean while the tub of water gives him/her the physical sensation
of being underwater. However, realistic it might seem it still would
be a fake. It would be far more rewarding in the long run to travel to
the beach, rent a wetsuit and tanks, and go swimming in the ocean. The
experience of seeing it firsthand really and truly blows away any
virtual reality experience man could ever create.
Like I said earlier the people who spend almost all their time playing
games have no lives. They don't know how to enjoy the life they have.
There are many things more satisfying such as hiking, swimming,
playing a musical instrument, whatever that are more satisfying if you
just do them rather than pretending to do them in a game world.
I'm sure some virtual reality experiences have their place. A person
might get on a treadmill and put on a V.R. helmet to simulate walking
through the woods, mountains, etc while they walk the treadmill. Its
alright, might help a person pass the time, but I'd prefer going to
the location and walking it in reality than via some V.R. helmet. To
me V.R. still would only be a cheap substitute for the real thing.
Cheers!
On 7/26/12, Cara Quinn <[email protected]> wrote:
Well-said Thomas! I heard a funny quote once which said basically, 'Go
outside, the graphics are amazing!' lol!
So I personally think we need to enjoy life. Enjoy the one we have
before
we
try to make another one. :) This one is a huge gift so get up, get
outside
get with each other and have some big fun! :)
Moving through this life can be as much fun, and much much cooler than
any
game. -Know what I mean? It's all in how you make it. :)
Anyway, blah blah blah -just my two cents.
Have an awesome day and hope I didn't take this one too far OT.
Smiles,
Cara :)
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