Putting the "real" in virtual reality

Introduction

Virtual world have existed for well over a decade with the boom of the Internet, creating limitless possibilities for alternate and better existences. These realities however are still virtual (real in many ways but not the same as the physical world), some spend most of their time on the Internet, making this virtual environment more important than their physical environment. Are these virtual environments real? In a physical sense, no, but people's perceptions of what is real can deliver some strange results. I can go on all day about different areas of peoples lives that the virtual world affects, but for now i'll stick the topics of careers and love.

Money, sex and power are the three-legged stool of modern culture¹.

Why do so many people trust in these fantasy worlds?

On the Internet, people have freedom to behave as they wish without fear of retribution, due to the anonymity of the web, this is where the worst in human beings come out. Forums, Chat Rooms and Discussion Groups are the most widely used resource on the web, developed for collaboration between enthusiasts on a set topic.

This freedom allows people to be relieved of their social status, regardless of who they are in the real world - in the virtual they can have a voice. Online you can be who you want to be, and talk to almost anyone. This leads to relationships forming, friendships and love interests. These relationships are formed more quickly because in the virtual world people are willing to be more personal, more sudden than in reality².

Finding love online is easier than ever, there are now hundreds of different dating sites and social networking sites that can be used as dating tools. People find it easier to communicate online and it is easier to ignore someone if you do not like them3.

The relationships that are developed online are more appealing to people they get what they want out of it, cyber-sex for example that may lead to a real-world relationship. Everything on the Internet is just the manipulation of data, but to a person, their imagination creates their ideal world using the visions they get from this data showing on screen.

It is when people discover these freedoms, they start to enjoy the power they have, becoming tempted, obsessed and addicted to having their way. Real life no longer satisfies them, they resort to being online more often and believing more that they are this person they want to be, beliving they are flawless and righteous.

The annonymity of the web also have positive and negative influences, again you will say what you are afraid to say in the physical environment, but alas this is not alwasy a good thing. Adultery online is not something new - some people in marriges or long term relationships still seek other people to share their passions or secrets unjudged by those around them².

All these factors create more realism to relationships developed in the virtua world. Money and sex are two of the most important aspects of the modern world, the more a person has of these two factors the happier theyare with life.

The virtual world does have people who seek a partner and a serious relationship (be it friendship or love), a kind that can only be found by scouring the globe far and wide. If the web provides these things easily, people become immersed and no longer look for love and/or friendship in their local area.

The 3D online world is the final step in making the virtual world real. With people interacting with people and objects as they would in real life, the illusion of reality becomes more warped. It is clear how the virtual worlds can affect different people. Second Life is a virtual world that had no objective and no endgame, people just live there. The linden dollar ($LD) is the currency of second life and it can be exchanged into US dollars, this allows people to gain an income from this virtual world.

There are many ways to make money online, ebay, amazon, cafepress and even second life⁴. Online buisinesses provide the most sporadic of services. Many advantages of online businesses is that you may not have to pay taxes or legally list it as a buisiness, depending on your country. Also you can sell just about anyhting

Conclusion

The Internet has provided the modern world with the ability to interact and communicate cheaply and efficiently, it will not be long before these virtual environments become more influencing to person's behaviour.

Is it a question of morality when pixels can harm a human being? When you are behind a monitor, how do your actions affect others in and out of the virtual world? If your wife catched you having cyber-sex, will she not feel betrayed? People have become more desensitized, making them seek greater thrills and dramas in the virtual world, thrills they would normally be ashamed of in the real world.

The virtual world is perceived as real in a personal sense, but how does this affect the persons business life. People quit their jobs to spend more time online, some completely immerse their business in the online world. Words like addiction spring to mind again, questioning the objectives of the virtual realities people create.

Reference:

1. Messenger K, Money, Sex and Power, [accessed 28 Mar 2008]
   
2. Singer H, Virtual Relationships, Logging onto love, [accessed 28 Mar 2008]
3. Snyder B, Finding Love Online, [accessed 19 Apr 2008]
4. Channel 4, Second Lives, [accessed 19 Apr 2008]