Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

With the invention of virtual worlds, people now have the ability to bring their wildest dreams to life, even if it isn't possible in our physical world. We know that with the implementation of anything there is always a good and bad perspective that can be taken on it. When virtual reality is in effect, the good side of it can be seen as exemplified in the article "In Room 100, It's Sid and Nancy All Over Again,” by Saki Knafo, we see that when you have a passion for something like restoring your memories and making it into your own twisted reality, you get the the reconstruction of the Chelsea Hotel pre-renovations. You also get the room with the blood splattered walls in which Sid Vicious killed his wife which gives the creator the added satisfaction of being creative.

Another positive spin that you get from VW's (Virtual World's) is the fact that you can now live a life you might not otherwise be able to live in the real world. In the video "A Second Life on Second Life", you get the narrator talking about him living the life of a normal person. Being a paraplegic, these things are not possible in the real world so the creation of happiness can be another benefit of VW's. His ability to walk through the park, swim with the fishes or even just dancing with a friend is now possible.

Being able to conduct and attend a meeting with other government officials seems to be a great benefit for all participants in the meeting. Literally not having to be in the room physically, yet still be able to attend is a real possibility as depicted in the article “No Budget, No Boundaries: It’s the Real You” by RUTH LA FERLA, the New York Times, Oct 22, 2009.

 Discussing the dark side of the VW world could lead to people meeting up with other avatars in these virtual worlds and possibly promote virtual stalking. Just like chat rooms, virtual 3D rooms could lead to those kinds of things where people can be enthralled with another user of the VW world and possibly try to meet up leading to possibly promote harm to these users. Gaining access to real life structures such as the Pentagon could possibly pose a huge security threat if a hacker gains access to a secured government virtual room and learn the floor plans and layout of the building.

If I had to guess I would say that virtual worlds will probably be placed more in the fore front of our business and personal lives then it is today. Being able to schedule a meeting with someone in Australia and actually being able to interact with them for business purposes will be an astronomical benefit for the work that we do for our business.

Socially, being able to interact with a family member who is at war in Afghanistan virtually will put you with your loved one. Sitting with them at the family welcome center or walking the streets of Kabul with your loved one to see what they have to live through everyday would make a lot more people happier in living their lives.