Chapter 1: The Dual Nature of VR

In the realm of virtual reality, there exists a fascinating interplay between our experiences in the digital world and their consequences in reality.

This quote from The Matrix encapsulates the essence of the VR experience:

"Neo: I thought it wasn’t real. Morpheus: Your mind makes it real."

This March, I acquired my first VR headset, and in a short span, my skepticism has transformed into enthusiasm. Initially, I found VR to be a mere novelty—entertaining, yes, but lacking substantial benefits compared to traditional online experiences. Watching films in a virtual cinema or attending meetings in a digital office might spark a moment of awe, yet they often fall short of delivering practical advantages.

However, my newfound appreciation stems from the immense potential of VR. I am particularly intrigued by how our virtual actions can influence our physical lives.

To illustrate this point, let me share a personal experience. One of the first games I purchased was Eleven: Table Tennis, a remarkably realistic table tennis simulator. The game's lifelike mechanics allowed me to forget I was in VR entirely, leading me to awkwardly lean against an imaginary table, only to tumble onto my bed.

I’ve invested considerable time in Eleven, and to my surprise, it has genuinely enhanced my real-world table tennis skills. The game's realism translates my virtual movements into actual practice, making my gameplay experience both fun and beneficial.

Moreover, the affordability of VR technology is appealing. A new headset typically retails for around $300, while the game itself costs only $10—a fraction of what a physical table tennis setup would require.

The game also offers training features, such as a ball machine, which would be prohibitively expensive for most amateur players in real life. While I don't intend to turn this into an advertisement for Eleven, it serves as a prime example of how VR can be harnessed to refine our skills in the physical world.

My enthusiasm for VR as a training tool is something I've discussed previously in my article, Why I Changed My Mind About VR. The prospect of engaging in a video game that simultaneously improves my fitness and skills is something I never thought would be so easily accessible.

However, I've recently encountered the downside of this VR-to-reality connection: the risk of physical injury.

In The Matrix, Neo learns a startling truth—that a virtual death has real-world consequences. Morpheus poignantly states, "The body cannot live without the mind." This concept resonates deeply, especially after my own experience of back pain stemming from a VR session.

While I typically engage with fitness-related games, it was a mini-golf game that unexpectedly led to my discomfort. Bending over for too long while putting resulted in significant soreness that lingered for days.

This incident wasn’t due to the game's design; rather, it was a careless mistake akin to what I might experience in real-life mini-golf. However, the key difference lies in my tendency to forget to maintain proper posture while immersed in VR. Having spent years separating myself from on-screen characters, it’s challenging to remember that my physical body is actively involved in the experience, especially when character models often omit legs.

During gameplay, I found myself adopting awkward positions that ultimately contributed to my back pain, which persisted for nearly a week.

So, what can be learned from this experience? The primary takeaway is the importance of being mindful of my posture while engaged in VR. Implementing a “posture check” reminder could be beneficial. I wouldn’t be surprised if future VR systems incorporate features to help users maintain proper posture during gameplay.

Interestingly, this experience has only intensified my excitement for the future of VR. If this technology can cause discomfort, it can also provide therapeutic benefits. In fact, one VR system has already received FDA approval for medical use.

As I’ve mentioned, VR is still in its early stages. While it may currently appear to be a passing trend, I believe it holds the potential to revolutionize our lives, both within the virtual realm and beyond.

Chapter 2: Exploring the Potential of VR

The first video, I Spent 24 Hours Trapped in the Metaverse | WSJ, delves into the immersive experiences of VR and their implications for our daily lives.

The second video, HOW MUCH PAIN CAN I FEEL IN VR? (Haptic Suit), explores the physical sensations associated with VR and the potential for pain management through technology.