Virtual Culture

Virtual Culture
VKK 356
Blog Activity 1
Marianka Els
25192452

Virtual reality is basically technology, it is a technological experience. In order to distinguish virtual reality from the older technologies such as film, the telephone and the written letter, I will focus specifically on virtual reality relating to computers and computer gaming.

When we speak on the phone or read a letter we are immersed and we are transported to another place but these places are imaginary, they do not really exist and we do not physically see them but we merely imagine them. Unlike speaking on the phone, in the virtual reality of computer gaming, sound is not necessary to communicate or to enable one to imagine an artificial space, the world is already there and it is visible.

When we watch a film, this imaginary space is visible but what distinguishes the virtual reality of computer gaming from these older three technologies is the fact that the imaginary space is visible and we can actually interact with this place. In a movie we see the characters and the environment but we cannot interact with them, whereas in a computer game you can actually enter a three dimensional world and interact with the characters and the characters will also interact with you, you can also control your movements and navigate yourself through the artificial environment using devices such as a mouse or a joystick. You are thus more submerged in the three dimensional world and thus become even more immersed in the artificial space. In computer gaming telepresence is thus also increased because you feel even more present in the imaginary environment even though you are still sitting at your desk in front of the computer.

According to Michael Heim another revolutionary technology is Telepresence surgery where surgeons can operate without having to be physically present, an advantage of this technology is smaller incisions and patients heal quicker.

New technology is thus absolutely revolutionary and if immersion, interaction and information of virtual reality keep on increasing and getting better, we might not be able to distinguish between virtual reality and real life at all one day...