BLOG: Modeling Reality With Virtual Worlds

I believe in virtual reality and I think it's what all of us are going to be using in the future. Like the iPhone app that helps you walk and text which it generates a small virtual screen in front of you or the remote control that lights up on your arm that I once saw like all the great mash ups we had in the past. One of the best virtual performances we had I think was this past summer with Tupac Shakur at the Hot 97 summer concert. It was a full representation of him rapping his greatest hits with some other singers. People thought it was so real and went bonkers for it.

One of the articles that, " Twitter Serves Up Ideas From Its Followers" by Claire Cain miller says that the photo-sharing site Flickr started as a small part of a big online game. When the founders realized that the photo-sharing feature was more popular than the game, they scrapped the game and built Flickr. Open-source software companies leave innovation up to users, and companies like Bug Labs let people build their own hardware. Start-ups are more likely to take this approach because they are still defining their products and have the flexibility to change direction. It can be much harder for older companies to make the shift, both culturally and logistically.  And some big, non technology companies are embracing user-generated innovation. Ford Motor noticed that people were modifying Sync, its voice-activated system for playing music and getting directions. Ford has invited university students to come up with new features for the in-car system. It's super that start ups and big companies like Ford are using virtual reality to intrigue new customers.

I believe there is a dark side and bright side to everything especially in participating in games like second life. In the article, " I’ve Been in That Club, Just Not in Real Life " by Dave Itzkoff. He states that I walked a few blocks to my apartment on Avenue A, turned on my computer, directed a small, pixelated representation of myself to enter a small, pixelated representation of Cake Shop, and rejoined the show. This to me is kind of creepy because than people will stay home and not go out and be social with others anymore. Also, in the fall of 2006 MTV started Virtual Laguna Beach, a 3-D world meant to simulate the Southern Californian beach community of its semi-reality show “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County”; in short order it added virtual worlds based on its shows “The Hills,” “Pimp My Ride,” “The Real World: Sydney” and “Kaya.” This is fine if you want to play games and be part of reality show but not if clubs or bars or whatever are close to you.

I know in my business, we have the virtual ring composer where clients can build there unique rings on the computer before they purchase it. This is smart because they get a look at it first before it arrives from Denmark where it is made. I think this is a smart idea. The future is going to be like this where you see it before you buy it and lots of companies are doing this like car companies and also Nike where you build your own sneaker