If you had checked GoogleNews when I did, you would see that the most popular story was about the Pope (religion). The next story was about Bill Clinton (politics) and the third most popular story was about the PS3. That’s right, fans.
Gaming systems are getting powerful. It is easy to see the trend happening in technology right now: computer, TV and gaming systems are merging, and they are merging fast. How long before we find no difference between a monitor and a TV?
The gaming industry has everything to do with the new wave of computing. When new operating systems come out, they are going to look more like virtual reality or be based on the idea of a personal agent. Gaming interfaces and computing interfaces can borrow much from each other. And when virtual reality hits computing in full force, who is going to have the most experience rendering environments and physics? The gaming business will, hardware included.
Are we moving toward “The Matrix?” I think so. Infrared keyboards that let you type in the air are already out, and new operating systems are under development that will shift the way we think of computers. Is it a good thing that computing and gaming team up for virtual reality in the future? Yes, and, definitely no.
The wonders of it are hard to contemplate. I have friends abroad; already I could play online games or online chess with them. But with virtual reality, I could plug myself in, meet them in a virtual room and see their movements and expressions. We could embrace, shake hands and sit down to a game of chess in our own space with comfy chairs.
Imagine all the skills we could learn, from archery to driving to skydiving, all in simulation. Simulation could allow kindergartners to construct buildings, walk through rain forests and learn in new practical ways.
But then again, what of the ability to withdraw? What of traveling and meeting face to face? And beyond that, if the Internet was a real place, would you really want to walk around in it? Simulation in virtual reality could be the most powerful new method of teaching to come along, but think of all the horrible and criminal things that could come with the technology.
In this, I am striving for a more serious point: we are a generation too impressed with our own technology to be thinking forward about the consequences. I know too many a computer or engineering guru who speaks passionately about “possibilities” without thinking in terms of consequences. Let us not look down on the humanities, the theatre and the art majors in favor of our scientists and engineers.
How much technology is produced “because we can,” without the thought of social impact? We need people who can do the scientific and mathematic magic to produce new technologies, but they are most often the type of people who are purely fascinated by hard fact, ingenuity and possibility. They have practical, money-making skills. They are not in the business of philosophy. They are not often the type to ask, “How will this affect the human experience?”
“Yes, we can,” many a technologist says. Few follow, “but should we?”
In choosing technology and entertainment, always ask, “Is this beneficial?”
