MIGHT WE BECOME VIRTUAL HUMAN BEINGS?

Of course I wrote the most recent post 'REPOSITIONING FROM A REAL WORLD INTO A VIRTUAL WORLD,' because of virtual reality's fascination as well as the apprehensions it provokes. 

image credit to Ronn Torossian

I will dwell on some of those disquiets.  As people allow virtual reality to become integral to daily life, they may prefer their time spent in virtual places. It can be so compelling and realistic that reality is tedious and less desirable. If you can take a moment to look away from your own e-device or computer screen, you notice that the majority of people within range are already preoccupied with the escapism that their TV, game or internet, or smartphone afford them. As technology perfects the realism of virtual worlds, people may overuse it by total immersion. I get it. Real life experience can be so disappointing and unsatisfying, that the cognitive and emotional elements of the real world can be left behind, gladly.  When that occurs, the VR immersionist effectively stops desiring or needing real social interactions. In fact these will become increasingly foreign. I can now imagine an entire culture in which all occupants have no idea of the value and positive effects of real relationships and share real life experiences and emotions.     

We all seek escape now and then, by reading a book, by watching a show, by taking time off for a pleasurable adventure.  That's natural. If the paradigm shift is to escape into a virtual reality for most of each day, I question the normalcy of the choice. But then who is it who sets the standards and what are the criteria for normality.  Social creatures that we have been, we may become virtual hermits, recluses. Social engagement and social ethics and social consciences and moralities may all be sacrificed.  That sounds like a doomsday forecast, doesn’t it. Sorry.

REPOSITIONING FROM A REAL WORLD INTO A VIRTUAL WORLD

We are progressively repositioning from a real world into a virtual world. Or perhaps more accurately, we occupy more of our real world time with virtual realities. 

Our use of the term 'virtual' is no longer a simple concept. The weather report is that rain is a virtual certainty today. That is, rain is in effect but not in fact. It's close but not quite. Virtual, pronounce it ˈver-chew-el', means almost as described but not completely; very close to being something without actually being it. The term 'virtual' is used virtually all of the time, which is to say, it's used nearly but not quite, or frequently but not always, although it seems so.  The term virtual is complex now, and science and technology as pushed its boundaries. The adjective can also intimate artificial, imitation, even make-believe.

Virtual reality or realities (VR) may be computer or multimedia simulated replications of an imagined world or a real world which allow users to interact with sensory experiences such as sight, touch, hearing and smell.

GENUINELY CHRISTIAN YET PRACTICALLY AGNOSTIC (2)

I perceive there will be superior value to the topic if I personalize it. So, I am writing to Christians today. This is a cue, an incentive to a segment of the Christian community.  In the earlier critique I expressed an opinion that we may be living like practical agnostics. It's possible. We are not 'practical' agnostics in the sense of being 'almost' agnostic or virtually agnostic. Of course not, because we do genuinely believe in the large constructs of Christian truth. Rather, during the weekdays, we have minimal explicit contact with God. While the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are factual within our theological framework, we are out of touch. We know that prayer is the network that links us with the divine, but prayer takes time and discipline. We know when we are honest with ourselves that we apply both time and discipline to online social networking, to watching our favourite TV shows, and to daily exercise.  So, we must admit we are slackers. We have not prioritized prayer.

An agnostic is characterized by uncertainty. While we believe in the merit of prayer, we may be uncertain about the effectiveness of prayer.  Possibly, our journals contain slim accounts of answers to specific prayers. We do not doubt God's ability to hear prayer, or to respond to great challenges. We are uncertain that God will answer our request. Our asks have been made before without a response. We don't want to be disappointed any further. Our request seems so trite and selfish so we hesitate. Strangely we are not open and transparent before God who is all knowing.  We worry about a job, about money, about our children. We struggle with our sexuality, with addictions, with attitudes and moods, but we refer none of these to God because we have not successfully integrated our theology with our lives on planet earth. The incarnate Jesus spoke to his Father, and advised us to call God Father. Father loved us (humanity) so much he gave us Jesus.  Jesus came here to do what he needed to do to provide a relationship for us with himself and the Father.  Jesus assured us that in his physical absence he would not leave us comfortless, but rather he promised to give us another comforter, divine like himself, namely, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not only with us but inside us, where character and spirituality are developed so that we can reflect the image of God, that is, be Christlike.      

(I will pursue this subject for in a few posts in the days ahead)