Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

A virtual world is an online community that’s formed by a simulated environment through a computer where users can interact with others. Virtual worlds allow multiple users where each person sees others as avatars which are either 2D or 3D figures of actual people. Virtual worlds can we used by companies to have conference meetings and talk about work related things. It can also help out doctors or nurses so they can practice on their profession without actually doing it in person. One virtual world that is out there today is known as Second Life and people have already started using it for different purposes by using their own creativity.

London have already started “seeking innovative ways to bring employees together for conferences and meeting remotely”, as said by Mark Tutton in his article Going to the virtual office in Second Life. Their virtual world will allow businesses to have virtual meetings through their computer networks. Another example would be how different universities start using Second Life to help nurses make quick and sure decisions in times of emergencies. Participants are able to build their own virtual clinics and start any type of training drill. These are the pros of this virtual world and another one would be how it can help patients with autism start “fighting” their disorder by creating an avatar and start “practicing social interactions and find information about the condition”, as said by Nicole Saidi in the article ‘Naughty Auties’ battle autism with virtual interaction. Virtual worlds can have so many benefits and pros but there are also be cons.

Virtual worlds aren’t always perfect and there can always be some glitches in the program. Once those glitches occur, anything can happen. Another thing is that a lot of people still have older computers that can’t support it and it will take them years to move around in the virtual world. I believe that in the future, our virtual world will be similar to those that are out now and there will be some people who are unable to use it due to their computers.