Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

    A virtual world is an online community that often takes the form of a computer based simulated environment through which users can interact with one another. Virtual worlds can be used for creativity as users can create a fantasy life such as what they see the world as and control certain situations. Also, a duplicate of the real world can be created where you can go to places and meet with people instead of physically being there. While in these virtual worlds people tend to play numerous games (3D games); a site called http://www.whyville.net/smmk/nice (Game Site) allows users to own land, build houses, help the community, win prizes and chat with others.

Pros of Virtual Worlds

• It is more personal than e-mail, instant messaging and even a telephone call.
• People are drawn together by similar interests instead of geographical location.
• An opportunity for every user to find his/her discipline(what they are really into).

 Cons of Virtual Worlds

• Can lead to low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness and even self-destructive acts.
• Provides communication environment in which dangers of deception and misinterpretation can occur.
• There is a higher proportion of predators in the virtual world than the real world.

     In the article, "In Room 100, It's Sid and Nancy All Over Again" by Saki Knafo it talks about how a manager of  the Hotel Chelsea was replaced and that major changes took place which took away the true essence of the hotel. An online version or virtual version was then created to bring back the originality of the hotel so that customers or people that used to like the hotel can now enjoy these good times again. I believe this is creativity at work.

      In the article, "'Naughty Auties' battle autism with virtual interaction" by Nicole Saidi it talks about how people with autism can benefit from the virtual world by practicing social interaction and finding more information about the condition. Virtual worlds are a fantastic tool to bring people together; a statement used in the article displaying how it felt about virtual worlds or second life as they called it.

    I am not too sure of what the future holds for the virtual world but I believe it can be used as a practice tool to carry out experiments, certain procedures and may be a better way to communicate with others. My feelings about the virtual world is that I would never use it.