From: entropy@wpi.WPI.EDU (Lawrence C Foard)
Subject: Re: Larry King Talk Show on VR.
Date: Sun, 12 May 1991 19:23:56 GMT
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute



In article <1991May10.215306.19439@milton.u.washington.edu> 
B645ZAW@UTARLG.UTA.EDU (STEPHEN TICE) writes:

[stuff deleted]
>Q: Will computers ever be more powerful than the human mind?
>A: The human brain is very powerful and VR can amplify its
>   ability even more by presenting good models.

Neatly avoided that question, would make a great politician :)
I don't think there is any question that this will happen, possibly in the
near future.

>Q: Won't this constrain our ability to appreciate art?
>A: Whatever's developed has to come from you (the artists).

No I think artists will love it, once they learn to use it.

>Q: How about VR sex?
>A: The term is "teledildonics, and the chances are slim.."

Oh come on. People don't have 900 numbers just for the hell of it.
Not only will there be VR sex, there will be VR relationships, and
VR marriages (legally sanctioned?).

Try mudding, although they are only text based virtual realitys, people
still have boy friends,girl friends, whom they often become quite attached
to. Because the users can be anonymous, VR will make the sexual revolution
look like an appetizer :) 

>Q: Will the technology be cyberpunk?
>A: Limited, direct neural stimulation will likely be done only in
>   medical applications. "Consensual hallucinations are just
>   hype."

Short term maybe, but I think this will happen eventually, once the technology
has proved itself. The benefits for handicapped people would be tremendous,
computer networks have already started to make a difference. You can't tell
if the person you are talking to is a marathon runner, or in a wheel chair.

>Q: Can this help out office workers?
>A: They'll be able to move around more, (Larry interjects,
>   "A walking information machine"). The chances of seeing
>   this in an office environment "in the next 10-15 years
>   are slim to none."

10 years ago computers where fairly rare in offices. Now it is hard to find
an office without one, VR at the same price as a PC will easily find many
uses. Possibly not in paper shuffling, but in more interesting areas such as
CAD, and international meetings.

-- 
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are 99.44% true.
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