Why Virtual Reality is So Important
It’s taken us a while to make the leap from augmented reality (AR) to virtual reality (VR), but now that we have, the difference is revolutionary. The virtual reality experience is meant to be totally immersive and removed from what we experience as reality, introducing us to a virtual world of our own creation. This development in technology is as big a leap as when humans entered outer space. It’s a new world, or rather an invented world, that we’ve never experienced before with possibilities we can’t even anticipate. Virtual reality isn’t a fad, it’s the future and as our planet, and we as a global community, face growing challenges that threaten our survival, scientists are discovering that virtual reality offers some novel solutions, and that’s why virtual reality is important.
Virtual Reality Can Help Combat Climate Change
One of the biggest contributors to global emissions that are making global temperatures rise are planes and automobiles. People commuting to work and traveling across the globe for business and pleasure alike are contributing unprecedented levels of emissions to the atmosphere. Virtual reality can help drastically cut the amount of travel by offering virtual experiences that are real enough to satisfy users. Whether it’s a virtual office space or conference room where colleagues can meet up from any distance in actual reality, or a virtual trip that gives travelers an inexpensive eco-friendly look at the world, virtual reality can cut down our need for travel, and cut emissions in the process.
Virtual Reality Can Improve Our Mental and Physical Health
The Covid-19 pandemic made the benefits of virtual reality even clearer. At a time when everyone needed to distance themselves, for community health and wellness, virtual reality stepped in to connect people. It made work and socialization possible from afar. Not only did this help people adhere to social distancing guidelines, stopping the spread of the virus, but it also helped boost mental health for people who were feeling lonely and isolated during this time.
In the future, virtual reality can continue offering these solutions to people in need. If physical or mental health issues force people into limiting contact with others, they don’t have to be alone. The virtual world provides a safe space to meet and interact with loved ones and new friends. As for physical health, VR gaming has already jumped into the fitness world, offering tons of games that make exercise fun and possible from the comfort of home. No gym or fancy fitness equipment needed! Just ask anyone who has played Beat Saber on hard mode; VR games can break a sweat.
Virtual Reality Can Help Us Learn
The field of education is especially interested in what virtual reality can do to help us learn. Many people say they learn best through experience and interaction with the material they’re trying to learn. In a classic classroom setting, this can be difficult for many subjects and topics. Virtual reality throws the doors open to a whole new realm of experiential learning. Whether it’s experiencing a Shakespearean play as if you’re standing in the Globe Theater, or traveling to the ocean depths to discover the details of a biome, virtual reality makes subjects that teachers are trying to introduce to students become real, relevant, and exciting. VR technology has also made its way into vocational training programs, allowing aspiring professionals to get hands-on experience.