virtual vacations vs. real ones? would you?

[melanie2]

i'm reading a story about someone who chose to take a virtual vacation instead of a real one...the actual time of her vacation...forty eight hours..but it will seem like two weeks..

if you could..would you choose a virtual vacation over a real one? and what type of vacation would you choose then? o and you can travel back or forward in time..and you are guaranteed to not get harmed at all..

hmm a virtual vacation..i would choose to be a character in Jane Austen's novel...hmm maybe Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion..and as that character i would try and see as much of england as i could..

the possibilities are endless..you don't have to choose a character..i just decided that was the time period i would love to experience..

 

[bobc1313]

Very interesting premise.

Raises the question of what is an experience -- an act or our perception of it? If you experience something as reality, does it matter whether or not it was real?

The movie Total Recall comes to mind, as does Star Trek's holodeck. Tad Williams Otherland saga (4 novels) describes the concept of a virtual world which can be seamlessly accessed and experienced through bio-interfaces, eliminating the tedium of the hardware.

The experience could be a heightened sense of awareness, in that more specific sensations or activities could be packed into a short amount of time, or intensified. Distractions could be filtered, so that only the pure essence of the chosen activity is evident. In the "real" world, other competing elements can intrude.

The danger would be in losing one's self in the "other" world, becoming so enamored of the virtual that perception of reality itself is skewed.

At any rate, I welcome the day when technology can truly provide an experiential reality, unfettered by time and distance. The opportunities for interaction and communication would be phenomenal. There are definitely quite a few folks I'd like to visit!

Another excellent topic, Isabeau! We'll have to have a go at solipsism sometimes. I did a great job when I thought you up . . .

 

[melanie2]

Another excellent topic, Isabeau! We'll have to have a go at solipsism sometimes. I did a great job when I thought you up . . .
__________________


huh?????

 

[Bashiku]

i'm reading a story about someone who chose to take a virtual vacation instead of a real one...the actual time of her vacation...forty eight hours..but it will seem like two weeks..

if you could..would you choose a virtual vacation over a real one? and what type of vacation would you choose then? o and you can travel back or forward in time..and you are guaranteed to not get harmed at all..

hmm a virtual vacation..i would choose to be a character in Jane Austen's novel...hmm maybe Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion..and as that character i would try and see as much of england as i could..

the possibilities are endless..you don't have to choose a character..i just decided that was the time period i would love to experience..

Well it would seem something like rpging... for in life we act and go with decisions based upon our motives and ideals. In vacation time we want to stress out of many problems of our back and with wide array of possibilities the virtual vacation seems like an excellent idea, but to me nothing can replace the blue bright shine of river while I am resting under tree nearby...

 

[ILove2Tickle1]

That sounds very similar to Total Recall. I wouldn't choose a virtual holidy myself. *shrugs*

 

[melanie2]

well rats..i thought i was all unique and whatnot..sighs...

and i would take a first class cruise around the world so there..lol..

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

I would love it. I am a big history buff which kinda sucks in a way because aside from reading and researching you can't really tangibly interact with it. Yes, there are Ren fests and colonial towns etc, but to really go back and experience it would be awesome. That will be the next paradigm shift in entertainment and education. The best thing is, it is possible without crazy advances in technology. We already have a mental eye, imagination and the ability to dream. All that needs is a little push.

- - -

This is the plan. Get your ass to Mars, and go to the Hilton Hotel and show the fake Brubaker I.D. at the front desk. Just do as I tell you. You can nail that son of a bitch that fucked you and me. I'm counting on you old buddy. Don't let me down.

Total Recall ~ Excellent movie.

 

[Cbarton]

I first thought of the holodecks too. Those and either the VR goggles mentioned often in J.D. Robb's "By Death" mystery series set in 2058 NYC or the 'memory crossing' that Agent Pendergast does in several of the Douglas Preston/Lincoln Childs offerings such as "Still Life with Crows" and "Cabinet of Curiosities".

 

[TyrantRaveAB]

total recall. thats all you gotta say. lol

 

[PlutoBum]

i'm reading a story about someone who chose to take a virtual vacation instead of a real one...the actual time of her vacation...forty eight hours..but it will seem like two weeks..

if you could..would you choose a virtual vacation over a real one? and what type of vacation would you choose then? o and you can travel back or forward in time..and you are guaranteed to not get harmed at all..

hmm a virtual vacation..i would choose to be a character in Jane Austen's novel...hmm maybe Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion..and as that character i would try and see as much of england as i could..

the possibilities are endless..you don't have to choose a character..i just decided that was the time period i would love to experience..

OoOoOo...that would be fun to be in a jane austen book!

 

[AngelOfDarkness]

Real vacation....because no matter how awesome it is, there's nothing like leaving the airport and getting picked up, knowing you'll be back in your own bed, with your own pillows...

 

[Journia]

Real Vacation...because Total Recall sucks to me. 😛

 

[QueenBeeBeeMari]

I'd go with the real vacation.I don't think a virtual vacation would even come close to a real one.Of course I don't have all the details of how this works either.

 

[melanie2]

Damn this thread is like two years old...

 

[Duke Diablo]

Who needs virtual vacation to squeeze out two lemons, get on a tractor and yell 'YEEEHAAAWWWW' as you put your sunglasses on and run in circles in the town square?

 

[QueenBeeBeeMari]

Who needs virtual vacation to squeeze out two lemons, get on a tractor and yell 'YEEEHAAAWWWW' as you put your sunglasses on and run in circles in the town square?

Then,you might get arrested......

 

[Smade1]

I'd recommend reading "We can remember it for you wholesale", the short story by Phillip K Dick that "Total Recall" was based on.

Also when you read, watch a movie and are totally engrossed - there's your virtual vacation. They don't work unless you allow yourself to be pulled in.

Save your money Izzy - you've already been there.

As for the actual mind implants - from what little I know about the brain I don't think this will ever happen. Your memories are scattered all over the brain and not in one "file" like on a computer. I think any attempt to implant memories will either fail or destroy the subject.

And today's trivia question is - why are Phillip K's novels the most filmed in Hollywood?

Blade Runner (Do android's dream of electric sheep?)
Total Recall
Through a scanner darkly
Minority Report

and many more

http://www.philipkdick.com/films_intro.html