The Virtual Benefit
The 8th Mass Medium is upon us. Virtual and Augmented Reality has never been more popular. Anything Oculus(Rift) has gone viral and has stayed that way. These are indeed great times to be a gamer, or a smart phone or tablet owner(which is pretty much everyone except me). While the bugs and kinks are getting worked out before finally opening the pandora's box that immersing ourselves entirely in virtual worlds will reveal, one must ask: How will another digital gadget contribute to society, and how is it different?
Except for the obvious uses for virtual reality and augmented reality, mostly dominated by the entertainment industry and applications, how can it be used for "the greater good"? We've heard and seen all the cautionary tales and potential problems it can cause to society, mostly coming from science fiction, but where are the innovators who combine technologies to benefit the human race?
They're here, but you just haven't heard about them yet. If you go looking, you will find them. Which I have, and I'd like to share an example with you.
This is "Diplopia". It is a game created by James Blaha, but it's not just a game. He has designed the game to treat eye conditions that reduce the ability to perceive the 3D world(debth perception) which he also suffers from. It can treat amblyopia(lazy eye) and strabismus(crossed eyes) in virtual reality using the Oculus Rift and Leap Motion. Now you actually need two eyes for this, it is not a cure for blindness, but hopefully someone is going to have a breakthrough in that department soon as well. Truly a great innovator we've got here.
There are other ways these new technologies can potentially help people. Whether it is controlling robotics from a first person perspective, or putting eyes where the rest of the human body does not fit.
What I've been dwelling on lately is that there are some perhaps controversial uses which has probably been mentioned in science fiction stories before, but now that we have the technology is it the right time?
Like for instance, one thing I've picked up is that a lot of elderly people die alone in hospitals. Cold, grey and not too comforting places considering people are spending the last moments of their lives there staring at the wall because not even the nurses know how to turn on the television in some cases(true story).
I'm saying what if, we could provide these people with at least an escape, though artificial, but still good enough experience that they'd at least be more comfortable when death is imminent? Put them in virtual places which may remind them of good times, or just pass the time doing something.
I''ve previously written about Total Cinema, and 360 degree video player that plays a three dimensional video captured with a 360 camera lense where a camera is placed. Wearing the Oculus Rift you'll be placed there, transported to another place. Let's say you record a few hours in a park, or the country side or the beach. And have these kinds of videos available for people in hospitals with the oculus rift. And try to avoid accidentally setting them on a never ending rollercoaster game, unless of course, that is what they want.
Because that is what I love about the Oculus Rift. It grants us the power to put us in extraordinary places. It can give spiritual or therapeutic experiences, and maybe even a better alternative for people interested in meditation than just closing their eyes and listening to a audio file of the sea. Now you can actually see it!
The reactions people get using the Oculus Rift are much stronger than television and cinema. And in the virtual world anything is possible. Scale is whatever you want it to be, whether you want to feel incredibly large like a giant or stand in awe of seeing an entire planet or construction larger than anything you've ever witnessed. There are already impressive space demos made by the community which can be the closest thing most of us will ever come to actually floating in space. I'm hoping to see an interactive galaxy map or the virtual version of a planetarium one day.
All I know is that I'm getting my hands on one of these soon!
Except for the obvious uses for virtual reality and augmented reality, mostly dominated by the entertainment industry and applications, how can it be used for "the greater good"? We've heard and seen all the cautionary tales and potential problems it can cause to society, mostly coming from science fiction, but where are the innovators who combine technologies to benefit the human race?
They're here, but you just haven't heard about them yet. If you go looking, you will find them. Which I have, and I'd like to share an example with you.
This is "Diplopia". It is a game created by James Blaha, but it's not just a game. He has designed the game to treat eye conditions that reduce the ability to perceive the 3D world(debth perception) which he also suffers from. It can treat amblyopia(lazy eye) and strabismus(crossed eyes) in virtual reality using the Oculus Rift and Leap Motion. Now you actually need two eyes for this, it is not a cure for blindness, but hopefully someone is going to have a breakthrough in that department soon as well. Truly a great innovator we've got here.
There are other ways these new technologies can potentially help people. Whether it is controlling robotics from a first person perspective, or putting eyes where the rest of the human body does not fit.
What I've been dwelling on lately is that there are some perhaps controversial uses which has probably been mentioned in science fiction stories before, but now that we have the technology is it the right time?
Like for instance, one thing I've picked up is that a lot of elderly people die alone in hospitals. Cold, grey and not too comforting places considering people are spending the last moments of their lives there staring at the wall because not even the nurses know how to turn on the television in some cases(true story).
I'm saying what if, we could provide these people with at least an escape, though artificial, but still good enough experience that they'd at least be more comfortable when death is imminent? Put them in virtual places which may remind them of good times, or just pass the time doing something.
I''ve previously written about Total Cinema, and 360 degree video player that plays a three dimensional video captured with a 360 camera lense where a camera is placed. Wearing the Oculus Rift you'll be placed there, transported to another place. Let's say you record a few hours in a park, or the country side or the beach. And have these kinds of videos available for people in hospitals with the oculus rift. And try to avoid accidentally setting them on a never ending rollercoaster game, unless of course, that is what they want.
Borrowed video from youtube channel VR Brotherhood. Check him out, lots of good Oculus Rift Stuff.
Because that is what I love about the Oculus Rift. It grants us the power to put us in extraordinary places. It can give spiritual or therapeutic experiences, and maybe even a better alternative for people interested in meditation than just closing their eyes and listening to a audio file of the sea. Now you can actually see it!
The reactions people get using the Oculus Rift are much stronger than television and cinema. And in the virtual world anything is possible. Scale is whatever you want it to be, whether you want to feel incredibly large like a giant or stand in awe of seeing an entire planet or construction larger than anything you've ever witnessed. There are already impressive space demos made by the community which can be the closest thing most of us will ever come to actually floating in space. I'm hoping to see an interactive galaxy map or the virtual version of a planetarium one day.
Borrowed from incognito84 on youtube
All I know is that I'm getting my hands on one of these soon!
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