...why would someone want to experience a virtual reality? What purpose could it possibly serve that reality could not?
In my opinion VR will never replace real reality. Whether you use VR as a medicine student on operating table or as a bank robber, you won’t be afraid of any non real consequences. Your mistakes won’t harm anyone. Even if you visit places you always dreamed to visit, it won’t be the same. However, VR can be an amazing tool in real estate, medicine, training, gaming..., you name it. It will always be just a tool. Very exciting tool! lol
Are our minds so powerful that simply being distracted or visually experiencing something pleasant could do wonders to reduce pain?
I believe that completely. Psychology is one of the most important aspects in our life’s. If your mind gets stressed, your whole body gets eventually stressed out as well. If you are depressed, your physical body starts shutting off as well... With that said, I do believe in what you wrote here about VR reducing acute pain as well as at some point chronic pain. I do believe in medicine “VR” helps people instead of using drugs, which in many cases leads to overdose. I personally don’t use any drugs, I take on average Tylenol twice a year if I get a headache. And I’m very happy about that. I’m my case I think it’s awareness of what these drugs can do to you. When it comes to VR, it can have a negative impact as well. People can get addicted. At the end we have to make a decision what is better choice. I have to admit, it’s really tempting this whole VR experience.
but they will also get the most cutting edge experience as their bodies are moved around as their other senses engage them in a fictional landscape while at the same time encountering obstacles of a game like environment.
As you mentioned “Cool!”. And exciting!
We should get ready, because technology shown in “Ready Player 1” is coming our way. It’s just a matter of when.
From the You Tube video top 10 selection I found Form, Resident Evil 7 and Dirt rally very interesting. Dirt rally combined with participant motion platform would be really, really cool for anyone. Of course this would change the whole VR experience completely.
Great article @techblogger and @adsactly!
This is an example of outstanding interaction and engagement! I hope other readers will see your comment and understand how it provides value and also opens the possibility for true interaction.
Thanks for addressing my questions. I agree with your thoughts about VR remaining a tool and not a way of life but a dystopian future where that was not the case does frighten me. Mind over matter, it makes sense. These ready player 1 systems are being developed. Many prototypes already exist, they are just trying to perfect the mechanisms and increase the feedback speed of the systems so the experience feels unstaggered. It won't take long! Thanks again for your contribution @milano1113!