Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Virtual Worlds can be used in a variety of ways including stress relief, scientific testing or as a casual hobby that people can use. In the article, "Virtual world may impact real­-world behaviour" researchers created a study where they implemented the use of a virtual world to decide if the way you acted in a virtual world was a good indication of how you act in the real world. In the article, "After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get a Reboot?", Jackie Morie created a virtual world that soldiers in the army could use as a training environment. With these virtual worlds users are able to interact with other people without the inconvenience of leaving their homes. There is always the risk that users can become too consumed by the virtual worlds, however. Children that are introduced to these virtual worlds at a young age and grow up with them might not develop the necessary communication skills to be able to effectively interact with people in the real world. As with all technology, as time passes the virtual worlds will become more advanced and intricate. Right now virtual worlds are restricted to our senses of sight and hearing. As the technology improves we will be able to physically transfer ourselves into those worlds and be able to feel what is inside of them.