Divan Greyvenstein - Virtual Culture

Blog Activity 1
Divan Greyvenstein
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VKK 320

Virtual Reality has one main characteristic that distinguishes it from any and all older or other technologies. The one thing that’s truly revolutionary is that virtual reality is an interactive concept.
In a broader respect older technologies like movie – theatres and television sitcoms also relate to the viewer / user and in a sense connects with them (for instance the recorded laughter in a sitcom connects with viewers on a personal level). But virtual reality goes one step further, owning up to it’s sense of reality.
Virtual Reality isn’t trying to recreate the everyday life we see in things like movies or sitcoms. Virtual reality is trying to create a new reality a simulated experience that is simulated so well it creates a new type of reality. To do this successfully Virtual reality incorporates different mediums like the data – glove so that the viewer turns into a participant. You become part of a simulated “virtual” world and this is the one characteristic that no other type of technology has. In lamest terms you do not watch virtual reality but rather experience it, because you participate in it on a personal level.Virtual reality creates a new world and turns participants into the inhabitants of this virtual world, in a sense turning a dream world into a real simulation.
When compared to older technologies like film, TV, telephones or even letter – writing it is then evident, that virtual reality is in a league of it’s own. All of these older, other technologies work within the everyday ordinary reality of real life. Incorporating technologies like cameras, phone – lines or even pencils (in the case of letters) to communicate in real – life (reality). Virtual reality on the other hand is using technology in reality (real – life) to create a reality outside the real world. To create a virtual world where the technology is only useful in this newly created world. Virtual Reality deals with a reality constructed within another and this makes it so revolutionary.