From: stgprao@st.unocal.COM (Richard Ottolini)
Subject: Re: PHIL: VR controversy
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1993 15:11:13 GMT
Message-ID: <1993Apr27.151113.3972@unocal.com>
Organization: Unocal Corporation


In article <1rioo2INNkhc@shelley.u.washington.edu> stgprao@st.unocal.COM (Richard Ottolini) writes:
>
>
>In article <1raovbINNq0j@shelley.u.washington.edu>
>cyberoid@stein.u.washington.edu (Robert Jacobson) writes:
>
>>In article <1ram6nINNnfe@shelley.u.washington.edu>
>>jeremyo@mundil.cs.mu.OZ.AU (Jeremy Patrick O'BRIEN) writes:
>>
>>>        I am currently investigating the VR controversy, with such
>>>        issues as how VR meets reality and how VR can be used for 
>>>        good or bad in the future. I would greatly value any opinions
>>>        anyone may have on the subject, also any article references
>>>        that may be of interest.
>>
>>Talk about asking for trouble.  By the way, what is the "VR
>>controversy"?
>
>Most any technology can be used for evil purposes.  One of the early
>VR movies- "Lawnmower man"- explores this aspect.
>
>[MODERATOR'S NOTE: Richard, you are either pulling my leg or you do
>your history of technology research in very unusual surroundings!  LM
>as an exploration of evil?  Yes, well, maybe in the making of the
>film!  :-) -- Bob Jacobson]


(1) VR was being used by a military organization to create superior
warriors, both animals and humans.
(2) The enhanced-human in the movie used his abilities to take revenge
on previous tormentors.

LM seemed to be a remake of Frankenstein to me with the message that
scientists are creating dangerous technologies that can be put to
evil uses.  This theme has been done with other new, powerful, not yet
understood technologies (e.g. 1950's space travel, nuclear, & computer
thrillers).

It is not difficult to extrapolate #1 above from flight-simulator technology
from which VR arose.  Peaceniks would complain about continual military
uses of battlefield simulation.  Also, such technologies might de-humanize
the horror of military confrontation by making it seem as innoculous as a
video game (e.g. Gulf War bombing raids).

To change gears, other groups may complain about VR in the same way
they compain about video games.  Video games divert the energies of
young males from more productive uses.

These are not my views, but my comments.