"By directly tinkering with reality, a simulational practice is set in place which alters forever the conditions under which the identity of the self is formed" (Poster, 1995, p. 446).
This quote from Poster truly encapsulates his theoretical analysis regarding Postmodern Virtualities, since it alludes to the bigger picture of virtual reality blurring the lines between what is real and what is simulated. Not only that, but it can be inferred that this type of simulative experience plays on human imagination and whimsy to transport the recipient into an alternative world, possibly tailored to them and their desires. Knowing this, it is rather apparent that our current world is steadily moving into a more virtual reality, especially given the global health crisis we are facing right now. This shift has its positives, like any technological advancement, but also its negatives. Poster appears to be examining the nature of Postmodern Virtualities in the context of humanity's internal struggle for freedom, as well as sensual experience, two very prominent ideas that arose within the Postmodernist era. Therefore, when scrutinizing reality and simulation's intertwined relationship, it can be noted that simulation poses as a fantasy of the reality that the subject of it is accustomed to in their own life. Additionally, it will work in conjunction with the subject's imagination to provide a stable environment for them to interact with despite the fact that the realm in which it was created is only being viewed.
Taking a look at our culture, virtual reality is heavily found in the video game industry and continues to evolve in such fascinating ways. I have witnessed this primarily in survival horror games that utilize sound and imagery to assault various senses in a manner that is meant to scare the user. While playing through this type of simulation, it can feel extremely real and tangible, regardless of how unrealistic the events that transpire within it are. Furthermore, you would also have to be wearing a VR headset, which acts as the gateway to the virtual realm, since it fully immerses the participant by depriving their senses of external stimuli. With that being said, Poster's discussion of Postmodern Virtualities makes me wonder about what will come in the future. Will humanity move into a world where we completely live in a simulation? Will inventions manifest that merge reality with simulation or tamper with the fabric of what we understand as reality? These questions seem to arise more frequently as we traverse the 21st century and I ponder on how dangerous the notions presented by Poster would be if they progressed to a massive extent.
I agree that the idea of what is real and what is simulated has moved into a grey area in today’s world. Video games are a great example of how virtual reality has evolved. I find the idea that we can create our own avatars the most fascinating. We chose exactly how we want to look and act like in this virtual reality, there are no limitations to our imagination. We can be a different gender, have a different body type, and behave in a way that is uncharacteristic to our true personality. This sense of escapism is what draws people to virtual reality; we have the power to create our own world. While this technological advancement is entertaining, we must be cognizant of its power and influence. If people can create their ideal fantasy life within a video game, does that make their virtual life “better” than their real life? In the real world, we are born into a body that is out of our control. If we do not feel that we fit in our body, we have the technology and medicine today to get plastic surgery and even change genders, but these are long, consuming, and costly options. In virtual reality, we can essentially build our ideal, model selves. Not to mention we are essentially able to do whatever we want. We can fight in combat and feel like a hero, we can fly and travel the world, we can have a family, we can make online friends … the list goes on. With the unlimited options in virtual reality, the real world starts to feel bland and filled with limitations. However, we must understand that nothing can compare to the real life experiences the world has to offer. You asked, “Will humanity move into a world where we completely live in a simulation?” I hope that is not the case. Simulations are becoming more and more desirable as technology advances, but we must find ways to keep our roots in reality.
ReplyDelete- Evie
Speaking of survival horror in VR, here is a great speech given by the developers of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard: https://youtu.be/PwBDtp7R6aM. Having played the game myself, it is very insightful and also ties into your point about VR making people feel like the star of their own story, which the developers paid special attention to.
ReplyDeleteWhile video games’ graphics have become more and more realistic, I wonder how long it will take for them to truly achieve something indistinguishable from reality. Most of the time, the seams in their world can still be noticed by players, even if the game aims for photorealism. Whether that be through slightly blocky character movements and facial animations, having a computer that is simply not powerful enough to process the graphics, or one-too-many reused assets scattered throughout the game, they are still far from what I call a perfect simulation of reality. Especially if you are sitting in your living room, controller in hand, there is still a disconnect between the player character and you. Only the most advanced VR games make use of arm movements, and, because of the enclosed space of your room, walking in the game still has to be handled by a controller. Due to the massive resource drain VR takes and the high price of a VR headset, there are very few killer apps for it, and I would venture to say many gamers are resistant to VR. As it stands, VR is still very niche, and many developers forgo it completely as a VR project would be an overall loss.
Still, the power of video games and simulations cannot be discounted. Military shooter games are often made in tandem with the actual military, crafting a game that will not only bring in a multitude of players, but encourage those players to enlist. If they can have fun pretending they’re in the military, why not join it for real? Video games are also used to train people in the military, especially flight simulators and strategy games. While not exactly as immersive as a VR headset, I don’t think that immersion is necessary for someone’s reality to be impacted by a video game. People who joined the military because of Call of Duty certainly didn’t need one.