The Notion of Virtual Reality - Assignment Example

The Notion of Virtual Reality Jim Blacscovich and Jeremy Bailenson present an account of identity formation with reference to virtual reality that can be put against the assertion of Andy Clark regarding the same. The intellects on human mind and human experience give accounts that provoke a keen look to identify which of them are full baked or which is thought provoking. For a fact, what they present is complete related dimension and serves to offer insights on the nature of humans and their lives in relation to the working of their minds. It is very clear that the notion of virtual reality as per Jim and Jeremy shows man in control of his experiences. The fact that people can manipulate their physical appearances and impact certain feelings or attitudes in other people is a clear example of that control. Virtual reality may help devise own representations of physical appearances (Blascovich &Jeremy 24). This is very prevalent in recent times where there are platforms that allow manipulation of appearance. While the authors do well to support this assertion, it emerges that, contrary to their notion, virtual reality tends not to be infinite. This appears in relation to inner self of a person. While virtual reality can have an effect on the physical appearance, it does not affect the behavior of the concerned people. It is a superficial thing with no effect on the inner composition of the human beings. The claim that this control of experience is strong holds especially in relation to the physical aspects. According to the authors, there massive digital wealth in the modern times and that which is likely to be seen in coming years will drive humans to live a life that they never conceptualized before. Andy Clark assertions tend to lodge a great questioning of what Jim and Jeremy see as the development or creation of human identity. It is clear that Clark inserts an element that considers the inner being of humans and the physical aspects of their beings. According to Clark, the “I” exist with complete integration with the surrounding physical environment including the physical body. This means that human behavior and appearance are something that gives the human an identity only when they are together. Generally, his assertions assume that the soul, mind and the physical aspects are synchronized to define an identity. Without that synchronization, there is no ideal identity and there is potential for virtual reality to erode that aspect. There is no denying that Jim and Jeremy give insights on the possibility of a digital world. There are digital footprints that are being left all over to allow the manipulation of the physical aspects. They are manipulated to construct experiences and generally lead to the digitalization of the lives of the humans (Langan 37). However, the two scientists leave certain essential details such as the (inner)behavioral aspects of it all that are addressed by Clark. It feels that Jim and Jeremy focus their efforts solely on the human quantifiable memories and experiences. Therefore, in their insights, they leave a metaphysical and ethical gap. It is normal to question these assertions based on a religious or spiritual perspective. This is meant to address the things that makes human unique. By the standards implied by the two scientists, it comes out that the human is treated in a way that strips him of the essential uniqueness that is normally attached to him. When Andy Clark states that ‘…human minds and bodies are essentially open to episodes of deep and transformative restructuring in which new equipment-both physical and ‘mental’ can become quite literally incorporated into the thinking and acting systems that we identify as our minds and bodies” (Clark 41), he recognizes the aspects that make humans unique and not as dispensable as other things. It is ideal that a normal human agent feel connected to the bounded physical entity through some things that also come from the inner parts. This means that the physical part and the mind and soul come together even in relation to virtual identify. Humans identify with the bounded environment through a system of sensory mechanisms that evoke feelings and stimulate certain attitudes and behavior. This kind of relationship is not adequately addressed in virtual reality discussion by Jim and Jeremy. The quality of experiences by the contrasting authors presents another arguable point. The authors all agree that with the onset of digitalization, there are many avenues such as love and relationships to explore or fears to overcome. These can be replicated theoretically and will generally allow humans to expand beyond the frame that exists at present or that which existed some time ago (Langan 37). The experiences to explore are imaginable. However, it is only through integration of inner aspects and active externalism that may make the actions that are taken by a person at a particular high digitalized time to appear natural to him or her.one can identify with the nature. For instance, a person playing scrabble can justify his choice of words because of the extended cognitive process that involves observation of the tiles on the tray. Therefore, it emerges that the physical aspect in formation of identity serves to improve the experiences. It makes it more natural as it considers the local surrounding in every decision that is made by a human in his or her thinking. With regard to virtual reality, the experience by any approach that disregards the contribution of the surrounding is not quality. This makes the insights brought forward by Andy Clark appealing and defendable in a normal decision making environment. Going back to the idea of online dating, it is evident that virtual reality offers unprecedented chances to alter the experience in favor of the current situation or to the liking of the person who initiates the change. However, such change is based on deception (the person changes appearance by posting another more appealing photo to represent him or her) (Woolgar, 29). While this may be convenient at that time, it goes against the ideal definition and qualities of person “I’. As Clark has it. The “I” calls for harmonization of the soul, mind and the physical aspects. In a normal case where the human is satisfied with the development of his experience, deception or something that is contrary to the inner belief or behavioral qualities of the person does not give quality subjective experience. On the other hand, an experienced based on truth, which comes from the integration of the aspects highlighted by Andy Clark offers a better subjective experience. It considers the behavioral aspect of it all. This serves to show that the logic behind Clark reality is ideal and offer a persuasive appeal to a person. As much as Jim and Jeremy advocate for the potentials of virtual reality, it is affects quality of life e in relation to social interactions and sensitivity to the environment. Already, there are disadvantages of virtual reality that have started to emerge. People are trying too much to employ the ideals of virtual reality to govern their everyday life. The authors fail to emphasize on the adverse effects of these possibilities which makes it the idea not defendable in a strong perspective such as that presented by Clark. Virtual reality possibilities bear the potential to isolate a person from the stimuli presented by his or her surroundings (Woolgar, 29). This might later culminate to social isolation. When this occurs, the identity development of a person is not comprehensive and is short of the contributions of the social surroundings. The person is likely to show high dependency on the interaction that take place in the virtual world rather than those experiences that come from the real world. In his or her decision making, a person shows no consideration of the situations on the ground which might render the whole decision inapplicable (Langan 84). The conclusions which do not reflect the truth in real social settings fail to develop the identity of a person based on where he lives and who he lives with. Scientist relates this obscuration of reality with disassociation or depression if it grows to become severe. Eventually, the account of Jim and Jeremy falls short of the one given by Clark in identity development. While the subjective experience may be manipulated by the person to cause a better effect on his mind, it takes a toll on the development of his or her identity. The subjective experience in the case of Clark may be harsh in some situations but it offers a chance to face the truth behind a situation and provoke acceptance. In contrasting the accounts given by the two, it emerges that virtual reality, extensively adopted for entertainment value can cause desensitization. While that of Clark advocates for acceptance of the actual situation on the ground, it fails to give the feeling of enjoyment. However, reality is better tailored to accept the things as they are other than seek entertainment value in complete oblivion of reality. Desensitization is the effect that leads to ignorance of the real consequences of actions taken by those who embrace virtual reality blindly. Additionally, the persons would fail to identify the consequences of the actions when they are not in the virtual reality. Clark’s account helps prevent these effects and does more to encourage action without insensibility to nature. This makes the account by Clark more defendable and ideal for emulation by people. Certainly, all the elements that make the “I” equip a person well in dealing with virtual reality. In conclusion, Clark’s account proves to be the most persuasive and defendable of the two. The account has a better basis for argument that that of Jim Blacscovich and Jeremy Bailenson. The account given by latter is devoid of major details and is questionable in practicability. It is not advisable that people act in oblivion of the surroundings under any circumstances. The consideration of the surrounding and inner attributes of a person definitely acts to improve the identity formation and guarantee informed experience. Works Cited Blascovich, Jim, and Jeremy Bailenson. Infinite reality: the hidden blueprint of our virtual lives. New York: William Morrow, 2012. Print. Clark, Andy. Supersizing the mind: embodiment, action, and cognitive extension. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print. Cyberpsychology & behavior: the impact of the internet, multimedia and virtual reality on behavior and society. Larchmont, NY: Mary Ann Liebert, 1998. Print. Langan, Thomas. Surviving the age of virtual reality. Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 2000. Print. Woolgar, Steve. Virtual society? Technology, cyberbole, reality. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print. Read More