Virtual Reality Could Replace Real Relationships

Futuretalk

22nd June 2007 - 12:29 PM

UK expert, Baroness Susan Greenfield says living in a virtual reality environment could become more popular than today’s reality TV, and she worries that this may dominate our lives in the future.

“Could it be that in the future people will say, ‘A real relationship! Urgh, how horrible,’” she said. “The messiness and squalor of the real world, and the real-time element, might be offset by the more sanitized virtual reality experience.

More http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main....nvirtual119.xml

kaneda

22nd June 2007 - 02:43 PM

One of the Starwolf books by Edmond Hamilton (about forty years ago) has people set free from their bodies to roam the universe at will and a whole race died doing this, their bodies neglected.

People in comas prefer their dream world to the real world so sleep their lives away.

There is a very real danger from virtual worlds.

Futuretalk

22nd June 2007 - 05:17 PM

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

Today, with Second Life and a slew of video games representing reality, there is little harm that is evident; however, as VR becomes more prevalent in our lives, possible dangers could begin to surface.

I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

adoucette

22nd June 2007 - 05:25 PM

http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/thebigchill...herealthing.htm

Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing

I got your picture hangin' on the wall
It can't see or come to me when I call your name
I realize it's just a picture in a frame

I read your letters when you're not near
But they don't move me
And they don't groove me like when I hear
Your sweet voice whispering in my ear

Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing

I play the game, a fantasy
I pretend I'm not in reality
I need the shelter of your arms to comfort me

No other sound is quite the same as your name
No touch can do half as much to make me feel better
So let's stay together

I got some memories to look back on
And though they help me when you phone
I'm well aware nothing can take the place of being there

So let me get the real thing
So let me get the real thing
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing
Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby
Ain't nothing like the real thing

Futuretalk

22nd June 2007 - 06:14 PM

Bringing business associates and family and friends together virtually could provide many benefits in the future, especially after holography images, expected 2015-2020, become reality.

Then add nanobots to the mix, tiny machines that condition our neurons to accept virtual systems as real, which could happen as early as 2025-2030; and you have a virtual reality system that is indiscernible from the real world.

Systems like these will be in huge demand, and in the beginning will be priced beyond the average person’s means, but competition will quickly bring prices down and people everywhere will begin making virtual trips.

In instances involving travel, VR will undoubtedly provide huge benefits to many. In activities such as meaningful romance and sex, it may become evident that VR cannot compete with the “real thing”.

I don’t believe virtual reality development will slow down, but will it eventually become harmful? I doubt that it will; I think researchers will soon be aware of the dangers involved with this new way of life and will make it safe.

Gizmo

22nd June 2007 - 07:05 PM

No, I don't think that virtual relationships would ever replace real ones.

It's human nature, real relationships, not wasting our lives with virtual relationships that aren't even there, so to speak.

***

Oh, and Kaneda, I read your new signature. I must say that I'm glad I'm not on the list of loons, text book quoters, deniers and stalkers.

Futuretalk

22nd June 2007 - 08:30 PM

We are already involved with virtual reality whenever we enjoy a good book, TV program or movie. In our mind, we are thoroughly wrapped up in wherever the tale takes us.

Humans love to fantasize and a good VR system simply carries this desire to a conclusion.

Empress Palpatine

22nd June 2007 - 10:09 PM

"Your focus determines your reality"-Qui-Gon Jinn

My feelings about all of this virtual stuff is mixed. Some of that depends on your age. The youth take to all this stuff easily. Middle aged people like me had to endure considerable anxiety to get used to computers. Perhaps virtual will seem more "real" to people that are younger. Older folks will still think,"It is just a bloody machine."

When I was taking this computer graphics course, we were assigned to do a music CD cover. Mine was a theme showing people that had robotic parts, looking at their computers. On their computers were lovely beautiful scenes of nature. Outside in the real world, the sky was thick with smoke and there was nothing but ugly factories. In 10 or 20 years people may escape into the virtual world so as to not look at the real world. Matrix anyone?

Futuretalk

22nd June 2007 - 11:03 PM

I don’t believe one’s age will have anything to do with the believability of tomorrow’s VR systems. If nanobots convince your neurons that you are experiencing the real thing, you will truly believe that you are. People of all ages will benefit from this new technology.

And remember, in this future time other technologies will advance too. During the last half of this century, experts predict that molecular nanotechnology will enable the re-terraforming of our planet creating a much more beautiful and efficient environment. Also, we will be establishing off-Earth colonies that promise breathtaking beautiful views.

Empress Palpatine

22nd June 2007 - 11:30 PM

QUOTE (Futuretalk+Jun 22 2007, 11:03 PM)

I don’t believe one’s age will have anything to do with the believability of tomorrow’s VR systems. If nanobots convince your neurons that you are experiencing the real thing, you will truly believe that you are. People of all ages will benefit from this new technology.

(The older folks may be terrified at the thought!)

And remember, in this future time other technologies will advance too. During the last half of this century, experts predict that molecular nanotechnology will enable the re-terraforming of our planet creating a much more beautiful and efficient environment. Also, we will be establishing off-Earth colonies that promise breathtaking beautiful views.

They better hurry. Time is running out.

Gizmo

23rd June 2007 - 11:39 AM

QUOTE (Empress Palpatine+Jun 22 2007, 10:09 PM)

"Your focus determines your reality"-Qui-Gon Jinn

You're obsessed with Star Wars...

Futuretalk

23rd June 2007 - 02:17 PM

Entertainment industry; does it have a future?

It will certainly be interesting to watch how TV productions change as we enter into the virtual reality era.

Industry pioneer Jaron Lanier claims some immersive systems could be reasonably priced and available to the public as early as 2010. As more new gadgetry becomes developed, what might the entertainment industry look like in 2020?

Even more interesting, what would happen to the entertainment industry if our planet becomes, as some futurists predict, a nanotech-driven non-commerce world, possibly as early as during the last half of this century. Without profits, what could drive our creativity?

Finally, what kinds of wild entertainment could please future humans living in bodies with enhanced neurons?

Comments welcome.

Empress Palpatine

23rd June 2007 - 05:27 PM

Yes, I love Star Wars. The movies have all the great archtypical symbols. I especially love the idea of the Force. (Note: I have a Sith persona in that world not because I am "evil" but because I liked Palpatine's approach to the Force).

A future without profit motive. I LOVE the thought of that. From reading that book about Einstein that came out recently, I think he would have loved the thought of it too. If we humans are so advanced as to unlock the secrets of the universe, I'd think we would outgrow such a thing as a profit motive. The future would be a lot more pleasant if we did.

Futuretalk

23rd June 2007 - 05:57 PM

Should a world without commerce ever become reality, what would be the incentive for humans to create?

Perhaps the love of simply wishing to do something better than anyone has done before might be the influencing factor.

Profit motives are important today because they drive science and technologies and all our industries forward in order to produce a better future for everyone.

However, with molecular nanotech manufacturing processes that promise nano replicators in every home by late 2020s or early 2030s which will provide food, clothing and most necessities at little or no cost – and without any labor expenses – businesses will soon begin to lose their markets; no one will need to buy anything.

As many of today’s businesses begin to go out of business, this of course will lead to job losses.

But this may not be a problem; as people will find less need for money to buy goods that are now supplied to them free with nano-replicators.

This writer believes that by the end of this century or before, the need to work, or to receive money will disappear completely and the world will become commerce-free.

Comments welcome.

Gizmo

23rd June 2007 - 08:02 PM

QUOTE (Futuretalk+Jun 23 2007, 06:57 PM)

Should a world without commerce ever become reality, what would be the incentive for humans to create?

Maybe, yeah, just wanting to be the best; creating things better than everyone else, perhaps. Or maybe, just the urge to create things for the good of everyone else?

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