MODELING REALITY WITH VIRTUAL WORLDS

Some of the ways corporations can take advantage of this new virtual reality technology is by using it a training device. Whether it’s for new employees entering the company or an old employee trying to get a promotion to a different department 3-D virtual reality can give them the training they need to fulfill the position.
While, these tools are great for companies they are also very valuable to society. People can attend virtual classrooms where they can learn a new language. People can also overcome their fears by confronting them in a virtual world. People also can use it for entertainment and use it as a virtual retreat to release their stress.
The dark side to 3-D virtual reality is very severe and should be taken serious. This was the case in a Washington Post Article in which congress met with 3-D environment experts to discuss and learn about the good and bad of 3-D virtual environments. “Could Second Life be used as a place to launder money? Are children safe in online worlds? Are there churches? Are you making any money?” “At Hearing, Real and Virtual Worlds Collide” By Mike Musgrove, Washington Post Wednesday, April 2, 2008; Page D03 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/story/2008/04/01/ST2008040103032.html
While taking part of a social virtual network may seem to help some improve social skills, it may have an inverse effect on some individuals and regress their social interaction with the real world and draw them into a virtual world where they may feel more secure.
As far as the way 3-D virtual reality will evolve, I feel online shopping will become more interactive where you actually get to see how an outfit may look on your avatar and then purchasing it. Hotels will provide previews of their hotels where you can walk around its surroundings and enjoy the virtual view. Virtual reality is here to stay and expand into all parts of our lives.