Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

The uses of the virtual worlds referenced in these articles seem to be limited compared to current technology. In the articles, "I've Been in That Club, Just Not in Real Life" and "No Budget, No Boundaries, It's the Real You" the writers talk about living a virtual life. They claim the simulation is identical to reality, but I think that it is very unrealistic. Even though the locations and concepts are somewhat realistic, I feel that people are wasting their time on these sites. Hiding behind a computer screen and living life through an avatar is no way to "live."
"Certainly her real-world occupation as a nurse affords Ms. Cocke scant opportunity "to rock my new leather Gucci messenger bag or Jimmy Choo sandals," she said. In contrast, "Vixie's style is a better representation of my true self," she said, "as it's hard to be fashionable in hospital scrubs."
If people are able to live life fully this way, power to them. This is definitely a pro in that it brings people happiness. Other pros include teaching through virtual reality with simulated materials that are a fraction of the cost of their tangible counterpart.

Virtual worlds foster creativity in that people can really run wild. There are no limits in terms of what they can do. From flying and teleporting to an endless budget, people can spend countless hours experimenting with different scenarios. "Despite knowing that its real-life inspiratione xists right outside my door, I have spent the last few months making such visits to the Virtual Lower East Side, a three-dimensional, Internet-based social networkd fastidiously modeled on a small but influential swath of Manhattan real estate." This person is able to explore their neighborhood in the comfort of their own home.

Virtual worlds have certainly come a long way since then. We now have virtual reality, where people can actually interact with a computer simulated environment. Even though virtual reality is still in the development stage, it seems to be an upgrade from a virtual world. People can actually interact face to face in a simulated environment. This may mean further enhancements in many fields, from education to medicine.



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/arts/television/06itzk.html


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/fashion/22Avatar.html