Amber raises the question around the ethics of using VR in ecotherapy. Amber explains that the project is speculative and intended only to entice a conversation rather than scientific statements on what will be. She explains that in the text she would like to ignore terms like outdoors or exercise as the study she undertook had more focus on the experience based in someones mind of a space in nature as opposed to the physicality of it. Amber explains how exposure to the natural world benefits a humans wellbeing in her research and states that examples are: fewer health and social problems, better cognitive function and office performance. The list of examples is extensive. Amber touches on Botz-Borensteins theory of the placement of VR in a post-human theory. He explains that VR is not a post-human experience but the exact opposite. VR and AR are experiences set in a man made environment of human evolution. The narrative of VR and AR however are useful in the expansion of the human experience and expands our consciousness. Using science to help inform us of the information in our spatial environments. Amber explains that the experience of VR is disembodied because of the way that the environment dislocate the brain from the body. The example is how many reach out to the objects they see in front of them, full in knowledge that they are not there. They flinch at moments that give them fright or cower away from things that they see which aren’t in any form about to harm their physical bodies.
Escapism.
Amber discusses simulation and the controversial topic of simulations which appear to be real e.g. Second Life. Amber talks about Emma Marris’ TED talk Nature is everywhere, we just need to see it and about how nature is a environment that we have access to and if people are choosing not to interact with it now how will people react to it if they can access it remotely, will it even be something of interest for us? She also touches on Popat’s discussion of the use of VR being a space where people do unethical activities based on the theory that the simulation isn’t real and does not create any actual harm. Because of the unrestricted social behaviours with in VR, there is a huge question of what chaos it will begin.
“Don’t put me in a space and say i have to look where you want. That’s not how this new thing works” - Brillhart
Amber talks about the difference between a virtual space and a real life space with the difference in multi sensory environments. Her research concluded that with added sound recordings and smells and touch, the desired space can be achieved a lot more convincingly. Amber states that even if the visual aspects are obviously virtual, the impact that the human has can still be beneficial to remedy stress. She concludes that these virtual environments of nature can be convincing enough to impact the viewer and the emotive response that they have.
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