From: stgprao@xing.unocal.com (Richard Ottolini)
Subject: PUBS: Lanier interview in 4/92 Computer Graphics World
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1992 16:31:40 GMT
Message-ID: <1992Apr22.163140.3174@unocal.com>
Organization: Unocal Corporation, Anaheim, California



The April 1992 issue of Computer Graphics World had a special section on VR.
The most interesting part to me was an interview with Jaron Lanier about
ethical issues of VR.  (In light of Lawnmower Man, though not mentioned.)
[ JL coined the term VR and started one of the earliest companies- VPL.]
I will only summarize his comments here.  I recommend reading the full inter-
view. I apologize to JL if my condensations misrepresent his ideas.

JL organized his remarks over three time frames: 10 years, 100 years & 1000 
years.

Ten years:
State of VR:
    More of current, but much better.
Ethical issues:
(1) Dangers of integrating simulation into scientific practice.
    Example: virtual animals in medical experiments.
(2) Miltary applications.
    Example: missile telepresence in Gulf war.  Technology makes war abstract.
(3) Overuse of games by children.

Hundred years:
State of VR:
    Indistinguishable from "reality", but not yet fully understood or 
    integrated into human culture.
Ethical issues:
(1) VR brainwashing or torture.
(2) VR as a reality escape.

Thousand years:
State of VR:
   Humans will be fluent in VR, invent new mode of intellectual exploration,
   arts, and competitions.
Ethical issues:
   A golden age of human culture?

Remarks are part of a forthcoming book.