Virtual Losses
I just read an article in the local paper called “Reality Bytes” that discusses the losses people have suffered through the death or disappearance of a avatar in a virtual reality environment. The article talks about what happens when “virtual reality collides with physical reality”.
People who spend a great deal of time in the realm of virtual reality and invest emotional ties have become physically tied to the reality (or non-reality) of their virtual reality existence. When there is a death (whether real or not), the article discusses the need for those involved to go through the normal greiving process – only this process is unclear and uncharted in the virtual reality existence. The article talks about how a group of friends of an avatar named Monique (who died) have set up a virtual memorial fund by auctioning off articles of clothing and accessories for the avatars so that they have virtual funding to provide to virtual members who have done nice things.
The article talks about how “Relationships are evolving, expanding. They’re different today.” I think that is an understatement. I’m curious where this will lead in the future.
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This scares me. IT’S NOT REAL! Sorry to shout but can’t understand becoming that attached to something I made up in the first place. This could lead to a whole new realm psychological study. Who knows maybe one day I’ll go to my virtual shrink to help me get over the lost of my virtual dog glitch. God I hope not.
Very interesting that one could become so attached to something that is not real. With all of this virtual reality are we letting our minds play tricks on us and losing the ability to determine what is real and what is not?
Wow… what a story. I didn’t know people were taking HL so literally. Sad to hear some have died over the loss of a character. It reminded me of the late 70s when some kids were killing themselves after dying (character wise) in the popular game Dungeons & Dragons. It is really upsettig to know that some people are taking this program environment so seriously. I guess that is the crazy world we live in. Good story to think about Julie.