From: mbernat@gel.ulaval.ca (Marc Bernatchez) Subject: Re: SOC: ethics and vr? Date: Sun, 15 Oct 95 16:15:25 GMT Organization: dep. de Genie electrique From: mbernat@gel.ulaval.ca (Marc Bernatchez) In article , abc@def.hij wrote: [...] > The abuse was in the context of subliminal messages that perhaps were >being 'inserted' in with the other sensory information that achieves >virtual reality. I'm not sure specifically when this abuse occurs (vr >video games, learning aids, etc) but that wasn't the concern. [...] Hi Jeff, In my opinion, there is not much to worry with VR as with other form of electronic media as subliminal messages goes. The real ethical problems lies on the fact that, often, the systems we use to do VR are not respecting the human factor which is part of this very system. This can lead to motion sickness and other manifestations of a badly designed VR system. Always keep in mind that there is much hype around VR. We have heard some story about it that are completely unfounded such as the case where someone stated that VR immersion was like a big drug trip and that it could almost zap your brain cells. This is non sense but if you spread this to the media, the less informed people in the population will effectively begin to believe that! So my point is, always carefully analyze what people around you say about VR. Hope this help you a bit. == Marc Bernatchez = E-MAIL == == C.O.P.L.(GEL plt-00307) = mbernat@gel.ulaval.ca == == Dep. Genie electrique = or == == Universite LAVAL = marc.bernatchez@gel.ulaval.ca == == Quebec, Canada ===============================================