Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Virtual worlds or virtual technology can be used in a multiplicity of ways, including an augmented social media experience to even a virtual educational purpose, such as the teaching tool used for nurses, according to Stephanie Simons' article in The Wall Street Journal: "Avatar II: The Hospital." Typically, virtual worlds consist of visiting a sites via a virtual character, known as an avatar that is usually designed by an end-user to interact with other virtual users. These avatars are then used in a quasi-realistic interaction with others within virtual environments. Real life experiences and scenarios are played out in these virtual worlds. Virtual worlds foster a great sense of creativity, as one can be portrayed as whomever or whatever they want to be. In many cases, one can chose an identity of the opposite gender or even as a different species, or even a different nationality. They can foster or even express different personality or communication traits that they may not necessarily convey in real life. Dave Itzkoff in his NY Times article speaks about his experience with transforming a local night club into a virtual experience. Virtual worlds are perhaps the next frontier but they do come with their pros and cons:

ProsA. The ease and convenience to enter a virtual world from any physical placeB. Allows for an extreme sense of creativity C. Allows for the opportunity to develop a broad and diverse network 

ConsA. There is a possibility of being targeted for identity theft and other cyber crimesB. Possible reduction in social interactions in the physical world
C. Possible monitoring of virtual activity by outside entities or perhaps employers. 

I’ve Been in That Club, Just Not in Real Life

Avatar II: The Hospital