From: strength@milton.u.washington.edu (Julian Bleecker)
Subject: Re: Mayhem in VR: rape, murder and pornography?
Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1991 05:43:35 GMT
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle



In article <1991Aug22.062134.17740@marlin.jcu.edu.au> btajt@marlin.jcu.edu.
au (Alex Thomas) writes:

>My collegue and I would like to get some sort of feedback
>on our shared concern regarding the concepts of murder
>and rape in virtual reality.
>
>Any ideas spring to mind ?

Why concern yourself particularly with VR?  Consider a broad range of
VR-like technologies:  Television, Radio, Video Games, Hollywood Movies...
My concern is that this thread will start a flamers paradise to the
detriment of the VR work in progress.  These are issues that definitely
need to be considered, (and i spend a good bit of my time at the HITLab
considering them) but not by cornering one technology.  VR is the
conglomeration of very many technologies and it has unfortunately inherited
all of their baggage, both good and bad.  Be careful when you narrow your
focus like this, especially when you bring forth such subjects as 
"murder and rape".  Don't be casual with such things.

Regards

Julian