Virtual Reality or Actual Reality
VR is a technology used to recreate reality in a simulated surrounding.
Have you ever tried the Oculus Quest, Play Station Virtual Reality (PSVR), or some other VR equipment? The most popular of these devices is the head-mounted display (HMD).
These put you inside the experience, at least in your mind you are there, virtually not literally. Many of these now come with audio headsets to heighten or stimulate your audio experience as well.
You can now use your VR device with Google Street View to visit anywhere in the world from the comfort of your living room. Image “walking” down the streets of Paris while drinking a Chimay Blue.
Your VR device will not be able to reproduce the 9% alcohol feeling you get from this premier beer, so pick some up to enhance your simulated staycation.
But how far are we from feeling and smelling? To some extent, the feeling part is possible through the use of treadmills and other devices.
Have you ever been to a 4D movie theater? I went to see The Hobbit in 4D. I had been drinking, and I got another beer and popcorn from the concession before going into the movie. I actually wound up wearing the beer when the seat tilted not too far into it. Other than that, it was quite an experience.
Virtual Reality Video Games
The largest user of VR technology is unsurprisingly, the video game. You can get further immersed in the game than ever before and the graphics are breathtaking.
Sony Play Station Virtual Reality (PSVR) is the top seller out of the top three in VR equipment with a 36% market share, along with Oculus Quest (Facebook) at number two, with 28% share and moving up quickly, and HTC Vive is pulling in 13% of the market at third.
The total market share of VR equipment in 2019 was $6.2 billion, and the expectation is for it to balloon to $16 billion by 2022, according to Statista.
Check out the Oculus Quest All-in-One Virtual Reality (VR) Gaming Headset — 128GB, the Oculus Quest All-in-one VR Gaming Headset — 64GB, PlayStation VR — Mega Blood + Truth Everybody’s Golf Bundle, or the HTC Vive Pro Starter Edition.
Personally, I prefer playing Everybody’s Golf VR on PSVR, though I haven’t tried any of the others. It even has a “virtual caddie” who gives advice. Quite fun.
Virtual Stupidity
Nowadays, too many live in their own reality. Have you ever been in a long line at the grocery because the person at the register has the phone stuck in their ear? They’re holding a conversation while taking one item at a time out of their cart. It’s beyond annoying like they are the only person in the world besides whomever they are chatting with while you wait.
What about the idiot that just stops in front of you to send a text as you’re walking? They don’t step off to the side out of traffic, they just stop!
I saw one girl get hit by a car while looking into her phone, and she just walked across on the crosswalk even though the light was flashing “DON’T WALK”.
I yelled, but of course, she didn’t hear. The driver was visibly shaken, but what could she do? The girl was oblivious to the rest of the world but her phone. And they call them smartphones, perhaps they are, but some of their owners aren’t too swift.
Texting while you walk or drive is just asking for trouble.
And why do people always take selfies in the restroom? That, to me, is the most unflattering picture imaginable.
What about those who take their phone into a bubble bath or any bath, for that matter? What happens when you drop it in there? A bowl of rice and a lot of prayers, that’s what.
I refuse to go into the whole sexting thing. If you enjoy it and you are sending it to a willing participant, have fun. Just be smart about it, huh?
Face Reality
Your phone or tablet is not to blame for you not having any personality or friends. Technology, including smartphones, is smart. It’s the owner that needs to smarten up.
If you spend every date and every dinner with your face stuck in the phone, how long do you expect to keep that friend?
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Stephen Dalton is a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. He is a freelance journalist currently living in the Philippines.
You can see his portfolio here. Email [email protected]
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