The Real and Virtual Worlds

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The Real and Virtual Worlds

Introduction

The technological advancements that define most of the aspects in the modern society have had a major influence on social interactions, individual perspectives, and future undertakings in different subsections. One of the debates triggered by these developments is the distinctiveness between the real and virtual worlds. Experts in the broad social science subsection argue that the boundary between the two facets has become vague owing to the intense embracement of artificial features that seek to substitute the basic undertakings that require the skills of human beings. These occurrences are one of the chief outcomes of the human-computer interactions (Gajjala 22). This argument forms the basis of this analysis regarding the existence and intertwinement of the imaginary and real aspects of the human life. With the unlimited possibilities triggered by technological progress, the boundary between the real and virtual worlds is collapsing swiftly.

Objective Reality

Human beings perceive various elements of the world by using the existing patterns in their minds as opposed to interpreting them from a real perspective. For this reason, it is possible to manipulate the human mind in order to promote certain programs and principles in the world especially with the numerous technological advancements. Based on this argument, there exists a world outside our minds that is independent of these manipulations (Blascovich and Bailenson 89). In this external environment, the beliefs of an individual do not transform its functionality but rather modifies the perception of reality. This is in accordance with the flexibility of the human mind and the possible assimilation of notions, which accept technological principles at the expense of actual principles of life.

This proves that the virtual world is slowly overpowering the real system of existence. From a philosophical perspective, objective reality is an element in the virtual world. In such situations, the elements accepted as the truth are the outcome of certain internal and external forces that are capable of creating an illusion in the human brain regarding the authenticity of the circumstance or object under consideration. The elements considered as real are bound to change in circumstances that have a significance difference from the previous one. For this reason, the numerous dimensions of the real world make it prone to objectivity (Gajjala 35). This is the main reason why the technological advancements in the modern world have modified some of the elements constituted in the real world. Subsequently, the virtual world appears more convenient and appealing as oppose to the real elements that exist outside the human mind.

Computer Simulation

Computer technology has become extremely complex with the invention of such programs as quantum computing. The capabilities of these systems and machines have increased significantly over the years. For this reason, analysts argue that these technological features may soon substitute all the basic functions of human beings (Blascovich and Bailenson 90). Although some scientists allege that such transformations are testable, human beings may be living in computer simulation without their knowledge. With time, it will be difficult to identify people from the original world in a society living in the virtual world of computer simulation. To understand this concept, it is important to consider the entire universe as a replication as opposed to focusing on the authenticity of humanity. The human mind and other elements in this framework are constituents of a code. This explains why human beings have a subjective familiarity of their inner self depending on the situation.

Another aspect that confirms the existence of computer simulation and the objectivity of the real world is the testability of the scientific experiments conducted to understand the major operations of the universe. Experts in various subsections of the broader scientific framework generate procedural and explanatory models that aim at refining the existing theoretical perspectives used to discuss major facets of the planet (Gajjala 39). These generations and explanations on complex constituents of the earth explain the existence of a virtual world that has also affected the human mind. The thoughts of a typical human being in the modern society have experienced transformations in order to concur with the technological principles that have become an integral part of our daily undertakings.

Infinite Reality

In the near future, humanity is bound to experience intense transformations by the virtual uprising. However, this alteration is an ancient aspect that was evident before the current technological progress. This includes the cave paintings in France and the Ayahausca excursions made by the Amazonian Urarina community. For this reason, technological progress is a facilitator of this unoriginality as opposed to being the chief initiator. It is rational to refer to it as a facet that has aided in fulfilling the ancient human inclination in the continuous passage from the physical to the virtual world. Developments in the digital media including the HD television have widened the transformational platform. The concept used in Avatar proves the inevitable alteration that is greater than the principles use in 3-D movies or the expected progress in PlayStation systems (Bimber and Raskar 73). Such films have evaluated the alterations in the modern world as well as those expected to occur in the future. It is apparent that the virtual world not only has an effect on the human mind but it is also influential in the emotional and physical elements of the human race.

The commercial applications of this virtual revolution are also overwhelming. The general population tends to have a greater appreciation for the trading principles and platforms controlled by these alterations as compared to their recognition for the frameworks embedded in the real world. As highlighted by the authors of Infinite Reality, the virtual revolution seems to be more effective in promoting various products and services to numerous population segments (Blascovich and Bailenson 92). Despite the evident negative effects of technological progress, this alteration seems to improve various elements of the real world. This may be because of the wider platform that facilitates the exploration of various possibilities in the societal and commercial facets. The overwhelming acceptance of this transformation by the general populace confirms the existence of these possibilities. Nonetheless, the potential misuse of this virtual revolution is inevitable. It is highly probable that the individuals using the features embedded in this alteration will withdraw physically and emotionally from the real society.

The robots created to substitute humans in the execution of various tasks prove the highlighted elements of infinite reality. This is through the notion that the developed systems are ‘more human than human’. As a way of esteeming the principles and systems in the virtual world, most scientists have focused on expanding the intelligence level of a typical human being and using the modified system to solidify the constituents of the virtual world. Subsequently, the boundaries between the two worlds continue to weaken on a daily basis. The strong foundation of the virtual world, which is partly because of the principles introduced in ancient periods, justifies the existence of these blurred boundaries (Bimber and Raskar 73). It is easy to forecast the continuous alterations that will occur in the near future and the effects of these modifications on the mental, physical, and emotional facets of the human race. An evaluation of these developments indicates their positive and negative impacts to humanity and other features of the planet.

In conclusion, the unrestricted possibilities generated by technological progress are somewhat responsible for the blurred boundaries between the real and virtual worlds. The ease of manipulating the human mind with the main intent of promoting certain programs and principles in the modern world has facilitated the virtual revolution whose impacts are apparent in commercial and social undertakings. In addition, it has had a significant effect on the individuality of its enthusiasts. The supremacy of the virtual revolution is because of its existence in ancient periods. Over the years, certain enhancers such as technological progress have strengthened its elements in addition to the increased appreciation by the general populace. The concept of ‘more human than human’ is one of the elements, which confirm that this transformation is bound to increase its supremacy in the near future. However, there are certain negative impacts of this virtual revolution that are clear in the real world. For instance, individuals deeply rooted in the virtual world are bound to alienate themselves from the real society.

Works Cited:

Bimber, Oliver, and Ramesh Raskar. Spatial Augmented Reality: Merging Real and Virtual Worlds. Wellesley, Mass: A K Peters, 2005. Print.

Blascovich, Jim, and Jeremy Bailenson. Infinite Reality: Avatars, Eternal Life, New Worlds, and the Dawn of the Virtual Revolution. New York: William Morrow, 2011. Print.

Gajjala, Radhika. Cyberculture and the Subaltern: Weavings of the Virtual and Real. Lanham, Md: Lexington Books, 2012. Print.