Virutal Reality

The beginning of Scott Fisher's essay "Virtual Interface Environments," begs for comment. The italicized story of a futuristic couple going to work describes a world that could be very well be possible through the medium of virtual reality. He focuses on the part of life that tends to be the bone of contention for many working adults, the commute to work. Fisher cries loudly throughout this piece that there are huge benefits to a virtual word as well as the fact that the technology is close at hand. With the skepticism of any Orwellian follower, too much technology enables too much control and not enough interaction with the real world. Before the technologies of virtual reality are mass produced and widely spread, the positives as well as the negative effects on society should be discussed. Already in work places where email, blackberries, cellphones and other electronic devices that are supposed to aid productivity, have heard arguments about how useful these tools have really become. Have they become more of an encumbrance, than an actual help? Many companies have expressed concern over the lack of formality in emails sent through the office, as well as how well their employees are using their time wisely. Would having a virtual world where people don't have to venture outside really benefit productivity in the long run? How much human interaction is needed to ensure that society remains humane? Where has the art of conversation, letter writing and comfort gone? If we can virtualize the workplace, than why not the home. Why not have environments that are perfected for our manipulation? What is stopping us from entering into a virtual world and never coming back from it?

The actual technologies described in the essay are quite remarkable. In order to mimic our experience of a space there are so many elements that need to be considered. Our five senses have to be engaged. As we progress forward in our search of a virtual world it will be amazing to marvel at the technologies that will allow us to not only engage, sight, hearing and touch, but also taste and smell. The data glove and the use of fiber-optics, the helmet with mounted LCD screens, the surround sound environment of headphones, all of these gadgets help to create a space that we can manipulate and interact with. How will art and technology come together to mimic taste and smell? It seems that here, the study of virtual reality there is not present a impenetrable divide between the arts and sciences. It seems that here in this space we have found another frontier.