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 of this idea in mind. Perhaps it is possible that virtualreality will be that technology which man is unable to control and will take over all ofsociety. If this is the case, society and the people within it would become uncertain ifthey were in virtual or actual reality. It must be pointed out however, due to the natureand precaution of society in general, it is very unlikely that anything like this will everactually occur. If society is intelligent enough to invent such a technology it should beable to determine and control it’s consequences. Orenstein brings up a good point when she says, “This time, we have the chance to enterthe debate about the direction of a revolutionary technology, before that debate has beendecided for us”(258). Often times in the past, society as a whole has been subject todecisions made by those of the creators of new technology. In this quote however, Orensteinpoints out that with this technology people should not only try but make it a priority toget involved. She, as many others do, see this technology as having a huge amount ofpotential. Without the direction and influence of society upon virtual reality it could goto waste, or even worse, turn into society’s enemy of sorts. Towards the end of the story she tries to depict how virtual reality will have an impactupon society whether they like it or not. As I rode down the freeway, I found myself going a little faster than usual, edging my curves a little sharper, coming a little close than was really comfortable to the truck merging in the lane ahead of me. Maybe I was just tired. It had been a long night. But maybe it just doesn’t take the mind that long to grab onto the new and make it real. Even when you don’t want it to. She depicts that no matter how much society is aware of virtual reality, the human brainstill has instincts that cannot be controlled. That is one of the drawbacks of virtualreality. That no one is sure what to expect. Just as with any other technology, the onlyway to find out the results of virtual reality are to test the limits. Knowing that virtual reality has the ability to affect so many people in such a largenumber of ways there needs to be some kind of limitation. This brings up another keycontroversy as to who should be in control of limiting this virtual world. If thegovernment is in control it could likely be abused and mishandled. However, if society as awhole is left to contemplate its uses, the affects could be either good or bad. Although society knows a lot about virtual reality there is still so much that it doesn’tknow. Perhaps in the coming years, new technology will come out and people will learn moreabout this virtual world. However, until that time, the questions will remain numerous anddoubtful yet the possibilities are unlimited.