Why?
Discussion
To me they’re very dystopian. They’ve been marketed as a way to connect with people who aren’t there better. Realistically nothing will keep us less connected.
Humanity should start having big conversations about how far we are willing for our technology to go. I think that discussion should start right here. Up until now there’s been a degree of separation, but not with VR. With your iPhone you’re still in the world looking at a screen and you’re reasonably approachable by other people. At a movie theater there is a literal sense of togetherness with other people and you can see other people’s eyes.
I am a massive fan of the free market exploring these avenues. However the consumer ultimately decides if this is the path we want to go down. I don’t want my kids to use a phone, let alone a VR headset. How will I feel if even 10% of people are wearing those on at work? Outside? What world will my kids see? A sick, dopamine driven society? Worse than it already is?
I’m aware of the benefits with learning, architecting and working, but I wonder if they’re worth it. I wonder if we can even comprehend where this is headed.
I hear ya. This concept of a literal sense of being together is interesting.
What would you feel is missing if for example you watched a movie in a simulated theater that allows your family members, who were also watching it live but on the other side of the world, to “rent out the theater” together? With the avatars from Apple vision pro or the Meta thing you can see something that looks like their eyes, and the avatar will keep getting more accurate.
Have you read ready player one?