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What I Learned from Spending a Week in Virtual Reality

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On February 20th, 2019 Jak Wilmot wore a VR headset for 168 hours.

With the goal of researching how society will adopt this technology, the psychological effects of prolonged use, and how one can be productive inside the simulation.

Jak Wilmot is an online content creator & co-founder of the Atlanta-based studio, Disrupt. His experimental documentaries showcase the relationship between human psychology and technology. His most recent experiment, a Week in VR, explores daily life inside a simulation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

What are some of the social implications of the increased accessibility and use of VR technology?

Throughout the years, virtual reality (VR) technology has become increasingly accessible and immersive. Despite having a few years of exposure to it, I never got the chance to fully experience the benefits that VR technology has to offer until recently. This past week, I spent seven full days in virtual reality, and it has taught me a lot about the future of technology, its impact on society, and the benefits it could provide.

During the first day of the experience, I was astounded by how immersive virtual reality could be. It’s different from the usual experiences that we have with our electronic devices. It was like being in another dimension. The level of detail in the virtual world was amazing, and I could interact with objects as if they were real. Every step I took was met with a better version of the simulation, which contributed to the vast scope of the experience.

One thing that I noticed with VR is that it has a significant impact on the senses. It can be disorienting at times, especially when wears it for extended periods. It was tough to convince my body that what I was experiencing was not real. Even when I removed the headset, I found myself having trouble believing that what I was seeing was not happening in real life.

The most striking thing I noticed about VR is that it has astounding implications for education, mental health care, and even a complete transformation of society. As an educator, it immediately dawned on me how VR could be utilized to provide a more immersive and interactive learning experience for students. The level of detail in the simulations is great for helping students grasp difficult concepts in a way that is impossible without VR.

Moreover, people with mental health problems, from PTSD to anxiety disorders, or depression, could benefit significantly from using VR, as its immersive and experiential qualities engage the senses and the mind, providing an escape from the real world. For example, patients with anxiety can be taken through a virtual experience to help them face their fears of public speaking, spiders, or other sources of anxiety.

Additionally, social implications could be enormous, which means we need to look at VR technology more critically. Virtual environments could be used to simulate scenarios that foster better communication and stronger relationships. With the pandemic still looming globally, VR can be used to bring people together, even when they are separated by distance, and reducing the need for travel. With remote employment now becoming more normalized, VR could be the tool needed to collaborate with colleagues and maintain a sense of togetherness and office culture.

In conclusion, spending a week in virtual reality helped me understand the vast potential of technology, its benefits, and how it could transform society in incredibly positive ways. As technology continues to evolve and become integrated into our daily lives, it is crucial that we utilize them in ways that offer real benefits and make the best use of them for the betterment of society.