From DSC:
After reviewing the two items below, I think you will agree that there is great potential in the future of virtual reality — and the new affordances it will bring with it. For example, if we use it wisely, virtual reality could help us raise cultural intelligence, promote empathy, and reduce racism.
How might virtual reality change the world? Stanford lab peers into future — from CBS News by Ines Novacic
Excerpt (emphasis DSC):
Beyond playing entertaining tricks on people’s perceptions, VR has the potential to promote a better understanding of what it’s like to be someone else – a refugee in a war zone, for example. Studying the effects of those uses, and the psychological effects of VR use in general, has always been the main focus of the lab. Bailenson listed how several of his studies that focused on empathy – for example, making someone visually impaired through VR– yielded results that demonstrated the VR experience made participants more altruistic in real life.
…
“The idea is, I truly believe VR is a good tool to teach you about yourself and to teach you empathy,” said Bailenson. “We want to know how robust that effect is, how long-lasting, because I can see this becoming a tool we all use.”
Also see:
- Using virtual reality to overcome fear, reduce prejudice — from usatoday.com by Edward C. Baig
A somewhat related posting:
- Virtual reality, augmented reality theme park being built in China — from fortune.com by John Gaudiosi
Excerpt (emphasis DSC):
Fusing art, culture, and retail with virtual reality, augmented reality, and themed architecture and design, each complex will include an interactive museum, a virtual zoo and aquarium, a digital art gallery, a live entertainment stage, an immersive movie theater, and themed experience retail.
…
“With virtual reality we can put you in the African savannah or fly you into outer space,” Christopher says. “This completely changes the idea of an old-fashioned museum by allowing kids to experience prehistoric dinosaurs or legendary creatures as we develop new experiences that keep them coming back for more. We’ll combine education and entertainment into one destination that’s always evolving.”
An AR-related posting:
From DSC:
This is very sharp Human Computer Interaction (HCI)! This should unleash some serious creativity. Microsoft is bringing Minecraft to Augmented Reality. Check out this clip!