Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Virtual world is a computer-based online community in a simulated world.  These worlds are created and shared by users.  These virtual worlds can be used in educational, social, entertainment or training settings. In the simulated worlds, users can chat with other users and create two or three dimensional avatars.  The virtual community “Second Life” is creating new tools that allows companies to have virtual meetings using their personal networks which is an added layer of security.  According to the article, “Going to the Virtual Office in Second Life”, “The ability to collaborate effectively using virtual tools may now become an increasingly important skill as technology offers more options than, say, video conferencing” (Tutton).  This will enable companies to save money on travel expenses for employees who work in different parts of the world.  These virtual meetings are supplemented with “tools like ‘Dropbox’ [that] allow[s] online file storage and sharing, while ‘Basecamp’ lets users to collaborate on projects online” (Tutton).  

Virtual worlds are great when it comes to collaborating and creativity but the truth is that it Is not reality.  Simulated worlds have the ability in creating illusions in user’s minds.  Virtual worlds also take away the personal and social aspects of communication and interactions.  For instance, “the lack of face-to-face interactions with other peers and the instructor can be a disadvantage for the students and professors. For instance, some students desire the immediate feedback from the professor, which they do not get online. When in class a simple homework problem can be resolved one-on-one easily with the professor, however online that option is not available” (Posey, Burgess, Eason, Jones).  In educational settings, virtual worlds take away the social emotional aspects of the classroom that teachers face every day.  Another disadvantage to virtual worlds is the fact it comes with a learning curve.  Both teachers and students have to learn how to properly use the interface.

Users can be really creative in the virtual worlds because users can create any world they can imagine as long as they can use the platform.  They can even create avatars that have the same features and personality that matches theirs.   I don’t really like to think of the future of virtual worlds because it has and will continue to damage human connections and interactions.