Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 6 of 6

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 6 of 6

If Virtual Reality became perfected over time, I'm sure that a sizable segment of the population might say: "Screw reality! I think I'll remain in Virtual Reality." As for myself, if I had the choice between a world filled with disappointment and mediocrity, or a world of unlimited fulfillment of all or most of my wants, needs and desires; I think I would choose VR.

VR may end up being about the closest to Utopia or paradise that anyone could ever experience. There may be some drawbacks to being there too long, though. For instance, if someone was born and raised in Virtual Reality, or if they spent too much of their life there; once actual reality faces this person(s) again, they may be unwilling or unable to cope with the constant disappointment and broken dreams which all-too-often are associated with the real world. Also, if two or more people, especially those with opposite outlooks on life, become trapped in the same VR habitat together, then even Virtual Reality might become a nearly unbearable hell on earth. One way or the other, Virtual Reality is what the real world should be but isn't: an Anarchist's Disneyland.

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 5 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 5 of Several

My VR experience would be like "Westworld" without Yul Brynner. Virtual Reality is the intermediate step between passive experiences like TV, movies or live theater (at least for the audience), and the active pursuit of life, or reality.

Virtual Reality could be positively used to perhaps, for instance, to overcome shyness, with simulated conversations or social situations; or any number of other simulated rehearsals for real-life situations, only in a virtual environment.

It would not surprise me at all if criminals someday may use VR to prepare for real-life crimes. Likewise, it wouldn't surprise me if perverts or pornographers eventually use Virtual Reality in conjunction with 976 Numbers, or to offer all the decadence, debauchery, vice, and voyeurism than anyone can stand, and then some. Speaking of sleaziness, I'm sure the military or the CIA will soon use VR for their own evil purposes. (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and was later part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 4 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 4 of Several

In my VR world, I could make certain people who have wronged me die 10,000 deaths, each one a little slower and more painful than the one before. I could also, at my whim, take the image of any professor or teacher who ever gave me a failing grade, or of anyone who ever gave me a lousy job recommendation, and eviscerate them; without causing any actual harm or breaking any rules or laws.

Other than that, I might be inclined to devise a Virtual world, pristine and untainted by mankind or religion. As a future ad for Virtual Reality might say: " It's getting awfully radiant in here, especially with the pantheon of South Seas Island James Bond girls I have programmed into my VR simulation. You can do the same... "

As I'm sure you've figured out by now, the Real World is very limited in feasible possibilities, but Virtual Reality is a simulated world which has almost unlimited possibilities. Its only limitations are: imagination, fear, or personal inhibitions. (to be cont'd)

The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University in the early '90s and later was part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 3 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 3 of Several

In Virtual Reality, a simulated world you yourself create, you can program a world where you never again, for instance; need experience rejection or resistance. You could also simulate doing just about whatever you like, without ever needing to experience guilt, shame, embarrassment or regrets. Virtual Reality is also a world without rules. You decide when and if anything will happen. You say what goes, and for once you are literally your own boss. Virtual Reality is a world where no artificial, man-made concepts exists to impede your success or fulfillment,such as: laws, propriety, etiquette, sin, or social graces, unless of course you want them to. For example, in VR you could slay or torture a simulated image of whoever wronged you, without breaking any laws or actually harming anyone. You could safely by pushing the envelope in any direction you choose. (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later was part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 2 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 2 of Several

Wrecked dreams are hard enough to bear when you have no ambition or talent(s) to make up for one's shortcomings, but when you have talent(s), versatility, ambition and perseverance, what can be worse that when even your slightest hopes remain unfulfilled?

Not too long ago, a new way to cope with the fact that our so-called 'perfect' Creator (if he exists), or the Fate(s) deprived us of an ideal, semi-perfect world had been invented. It is called Virtual Reality. You can soon conceivably experience all of the pleasure(s), but none of the pain, disappointment, BS, or hypocrisy all-too-often associated with reality and life itself. In Virtual Reality or VR, all good or evil, right or wrong, risque thoughts, and realizable, possible, improbable, or even improbable dreams, fantasies or pipe dreams can all become simulated as coming true. (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 1 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 1 of Several

Life is arguably a Mexican standoff between what you want, what you need (or think you need), and what you get. Unfortunately, what you get always prevails, especially when you do not get what you want or what you believe you need. Few people get everything they need, and even fewer get everything that they want. Hence, there is a 50% divorce rate, a high rate of depression among both genders, and at least 60% of us are strongly dissatisfied with our job or career (if we are lucky enough to have one in this terrible economy).

Most people become resigned to the mediocrity that is their life. If they experience enough pain, disappointment and heartbreak, even the most confident and optimistic of individuals could let their zest for life slip away; and thus perhaps perpetuate a lifetime of adversity and discontent. Some people certainly bring their own disappointments upon themselves, but injustice is so widespread in this world that at least as many folks are impeded from success or happiness by a variety of external factors. (i.e. other people, bad luck, or fate). (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later appeared in my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Capitalism: A Love Story", etc.

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Capitalism: A Love Story", etc.

Rabble-rousing documentary director Michael Moore takes aim at American greed and capitalism. The movie opens with a depiction of ancient Rome and cuts to contemporary America; strongly implying that our society could fall just like Rome once did. This movie made me pretty angry. Not angry at Moore, but at a society which allows the ultra-rich to prosper, while most of the rest of us get screwed. For instance, a lot of people shone in this film were undergoing foreclosure; many through no fault of their own. Lots of people are out of work. struggling to get by, and perhaps one health scare away from bankruptcy. The wealthy and their Congressional enablers are fiddling while our economy burns. Perhaps the most aggravating part of the film was when a certain judge sent juveniles to a private detention facility so he could get kickbacks for doing so. I admit, I agree with at least 90% of Moore's sentiment, but the people who really need to hear his message will likely refuse to see it.

Conservatives tend to dislike or despise Michael Moore, but they ought to take what he says to heart.

"Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs" in 3-D

Based on a children's book. Eccentric, young inventor Flint Lockwood devises some disastrous inventions, like a "rat-bird" and a television that literally walks away, and he is also quite socially awkward. One day, he comes up with a device which causes just about any kind of food to rain from the sky. In spite of his eccentricity, he eventually attracts a weather girl who was once a "nerd" herself. Due to the greed of another character the machine goes haywire and nearly destroys their town. In the end, Lockwood discovers the weather girl likes him as much as he likes her, he finds out his mostly silent dad is proud of him, and the townspeople actually respect him. Featuring the voice talents of: Anna Faris, James Caan, Neil Patrick Harris ("Doogie Hauser"), Mr. T and others. I mostly saw this because it was in 3-D, but it was quite amusing.