Cpuvirb Essay Research Paper Virtual Reality

Cpuvirb Essay, Research Paper

Virtual Reality Virtual reality as of recent, while still extremely new, has become the topic of manyopposing viewpoints. It has caught the eye of the general public for several reasons.Perhaps, this is mainly because of all the possibilities which virtual reality creates.Note that the possibilities are not pre-determined as either good or bad, mainly becausethere are many different opinions to the future of this developing technology. However,despite the controversy this new technology has aroused, society should not remainskeptical. Virtual reality has the potential, if used correctly, to become a greattechnological advancement that will aid society in many ways. In the past, virtual reality has been nothing more than a small step beyond video games.However, it is now apparent that this technology can be used for more practical purposes.These purposes include national defense, surgical procedures and various other applications. Society has not fully acknowledged the benefits of virtual reality as of yet because it isstill under development. The reason for virtual reality remaining in its development for solong is mainly due to its complexity. The hardware that has developed so far is unable tomake the large calculations required by a virtual reality based machine. However, asapparent in recent years, technology is advancing at an extreme rate. This is anotherreason why society’s hopes for virtual reality should and have remained unwaivered. In Orenstein’s story, she gives the perspective of the average citizen who is obviouslyuncertain about the uses and/or affects that virtual reality will have upon society. Theshow she attended was quick to point out the practicality of virtual reality however, itstill left much to be desired. It seems that Orenstein was disgruntled when she came to anexhibit and the topic of cyber-sex was raised. Perhaps it wasn’t just that it came up butmore like how it came up. The idea of a man and woman being in a virtual world and a manfondling the womans breasts was probably, although very much possible, not a great firstimpression. It gave Orenstein the opportunity to explore the evils that virtual realitymakes possible. After a while, Orenstein realizes that just like the computing age has hackers, the virtualage will have it’s own high-tech delinquents. You can’t prevent technology from being abused. There will be those who use VR rudely, stupidly, dangerously–just as they do the telephone or computer. Like the telephone and the modem, its popular rise will also eliminate the need for certain fundamental kinds of human contact, even as it enhances our ability to communicate. (Orenstein 258)Here she is quick to point out that because virtual reality is such a new technology it isextremely possible for hackers to have their way with it. Perhaps she also points out thatin order for society to accept this new technology they will have to accept it’s risks aswell. In the government’s perspective use of virtual reality it is easy to see how this technologyproves useful. Supposing that the United States got into a war, by using virtual realitypilots instead of real pilots the number of casualties would obviously be less. Pilotswould fly their aircraft from a remote location via video and audio equipment in the form ofvirtual reality. As technology increases over the next several years it will become easierand easier for the pilots to fly planes from a remote location. However, despite all the lives this may save there is a down side. The down side beingthat perhaps this will stimulate the government to react more easily in a violent way.Without any loss of lives the only thing the government has to lose by attacking are thecost of planes. Keeping this idea in mind, it is very likely that the US will spend lesstime negotiating and more time fighting. This is most definitely a negative side-affect ofvirtual reality because it will weaken the relationship that the US has with othercountries. Integrating virtual reality with society is where the majority of problems occur. It is

clearly apparent that because this technology is so new society is unsure how it will fitin. This is also a good example of why people’s opinions are so varied. Some people seevirtual reality as just another tool which will aid society in several ways. Others see itas dominating society all together and affecting everyone’s lives everyday. It obviouslyhas the potential to be both and it is easy to see why people are so hesitant to decide. Perhaps another reason for society’s lack of optimism is their fear that they willsomehow be removed from actual reality. Although quite ironic, for a long time society hashad a fear that technology will someday take control of their lives. Perhaps the idea oftechnology becoming so advanced that people will no longer be able to tell whether they arein virtual or actual reality. It is clear that technology has definitely affected societyin recent years. However, it is quite difficult to predict the role of technology in thefuture. The potential for technology is certainly there, it just needs to be focused it theright direction. Technology most definitely has the ability to run out of control. Just the idea alone, ofman creating technology and having it run out of control is something society has beenfascinated with for many years. Books and movies depicting technology overwhelming societyhave been created with much o