by Vito Ferrero Architect/vr-immersive.com
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in a digital age revolution. We see it in every field and more
and more the boundaries between disciplines are merging into a vital
organism through internet. In a sense we already have been working in
a virtual reality since computers came to our homes and offices. We
tap into virtual objects that appear to be buttons, we see thorugh
virtual windows and watch virtual faces telling stories through
YouTube. Could it get more virtual?
The
“touch technology” deepens our illusion that those moving and
dancing 2D objects are there but people don´t usually talk about how
virtual it is already. The fact that all abstraction, -including
reading an old fashioned book- is virtual reality can be a very
philosophical matter. The mere character appearing in screen pixels,
is virtual appearance. The letter is not there: It appears to be
there. But even when you have ink on paper, the sound represented is
not there, it is in your head. So in the screen we got what they
call:“Virtual ink” . Nevertheless the advent of more immersive
technology lead us to the term “Virtual Reality” wich is the
representation of an object in a way so exact, so vivid, that
resembles reality to an extent that almost completely tricks the
senses. In our busy lives, we do not often take the time to deeply
think about implications and consequences of technology use. The fact
that tech it is progressively easier and easier to use, seamless and
accesible -as it should- put us as a global culture in front of
ourselves. Our power of representation of abstraction has increased
so our responsibility and maturity as a species will naturally
develop beyond this kind of “cultural adolescence”. But
hey, since Guttemberg, is that so new? I personally see technology as
liberating, fascinating and as a profound game changer. Instead of
being fearful that big brother or a dreadful “all seeing eye”
will ensalve humankind in dreamlike world, I prefer to envision a
world were incredible power is given to us to free ourselves from
meaningless efforts and
concetrate
on what really matters. Things like beauty, sharing, living fully can
be theresult of the good usage of technology. Making a better world
-In the realm of architecture and design as in any other- starts with
a plan, and what better than testing the result first in Virtual
Reality to see if it works? What do YOU think?
VF.
