Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Virtual reality is still considered by many to be new and advanced. The majority of consumers have definitely heard of V.R through news outlets and social media channels, but not many have had the experience to personally try it. Some people may see it as a device for leisure that enhances entertainment. But there have been articles showing the help it provides for individuals with special needs. In a CNN Health article titled, iReport: “Naughty Auties” battle autism with virtual interaction, Nicole Saidi points out the benefits of VR to those with Autism. VR allows those affected by autism to create a virtual being of themselves. This not only allows for the practice of social interactions but creating a strong online community.

As mentioned before, many people use and know of V.R for its entertainment purposes. Videos have gone viral where you see people panicking as they believe they are on a roller coaster, or walking through a virtual haunted house. Programs such as Second Life allows those with a virtual reality headset to escape their reality and become their ideal self. Ruth La Feria’s article, “No Budget, No Boundaries: It’s the RealYou, states that individuals are not bounded by finances and they can splurge on designer brands for their virtual realities. Finances is something that affects the majority of people, with no restrictions in the virtual world, people are faced with limitless creative expression whether it be through social interactions, fashion or art.


But I believe the growth of virtual reality can have negative effects on social interactions. Having virtual reality is very likely to decrease incentives for people to go out and interact with other individuals around them. V.R machines should only serve as a temporary getaway from reality, and never should be something permanent where an individual spends most of their day. 


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