Virtual Reality Can Be Creepy
In an article in Wired Magazine (Copyright 1994-2003 Wired Digital, Inc.) entitled Who Am We? the exploration of moving from a “modernist calculation toward postmodernist simulation” by studying various people and their views on the virtual reality of several types of programs including online MUDs is interesting and kind of creepy. Not being a MUDder myself, I always wondered if there was a point where the virtual reality became the reality and caused severe psychological problems. Specifically discussed in the article was Stewart, MUD name Achilles, who describes himself as reclusive, is logged onto “one MUD or another for at least 40 hours a week.” According to author Sherry Turkle, Stewart “spends his time constructing a life that is more expansive than the one he lives in physical reality.” Since early childhood he suffered from a heart problem that also kept him reclusive. In reading Stewart’s story, I could understand how utilizing virtual reality might be helpful for someone who would otherwise not be able to connect with other people. But again, I wondered if this would not blur the line of reality and cyberspace to the point of being more harmful. Steward has dated and become engaged to a woman he met MUDding. When the online engagement party was thrown, several members gathered together and toasted the couple. Stewart, of course, participated from his computer. Stewart has admitted that even though he was able to participate in social interaction that he otherwise would not have been exposed, “MUDs have stripped away some of his defenses but have given him nothing in return.” He also feels that “MUDs now make him feel sick. He feels addicted to MUDs.” And admits that MUDding has not helped to “bring these good experiences inside himself or integrate them into his self-image.”
I am still left wondering if the anonymity of these virtual worlds can really give us the guiltless escape we think they can. And when does virtual reality become part of your psychological reality and the line blur? Is it really safe for our psyche’s to explore gender role playing, rape, murder and various other so-called harmless acts in cyberspace? I guess time will tell because this virtual reality that we have created is not going away any time soon. As a matter of fact, I wonder how long it will be before we can actually physically step into this virtual world and act it out instead of just typing directions to our persona into our computers from the safety and privacy of our homes.
Leave a Reply