Applications
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Virtual reality (VR) has more been associated with gaming and entertainment than anything else. However, the application of VR to solve the deep-rooted social issues is coming to be recognized at an unprecedented pace. Through such simulation experiences, VR helps create empathy, raise awareness, and bring positive change.
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Empathy Engine
It is probably one of the strongest uses of VR in fostering emotions. It can change an individual’s perspective into something else and break all obstacles to create understanding. Virtual reality experiences can depict real life as a refugee or a disabled person, also a low-income citizen for that matter. As they finish the experience, that’s when the user ends up being compassionate enough towards the action.
Education and Awareness
The education and awareness of great social issues can be changed with VR. It can recreate history, take the students to distant lands, and reproduce scientific phenomena. Moreover, it can make people aware of climate change, deforestation, and other environmental issues. Being a visual tool, it can make people adapt to sustainable practices.
Training and Skill Development
It can surely revolutionize training and improvement of skills. Realistic simulations within VR will enhance skills, and there is a possible improvement in performance. A healthcare professional may attempt to conduct complex surgical practices in the virtual environment and an emergency responder exercise for disaster scenarios. This saves lives and improves the consequences.
Social Impact Initiatives
Many organizations use VR to bring social changes. Some of the popular examples are as follows.
The Virtual Reality Society
This organization has been using VR to try and change the world issues like climate change, poverty, and inequality.
The Empathy Museum
It is a museum that makes use of VR to generate experiences that foster empathy and understanding.
The David Lynch Foundation
This foundation utilizes VR for meditation and stress reduction in the promotion of mental health and well-being.
Future of VR for Social Good
The more advanced the technology of VR, the greater its potential for social good. We can make experiences even more powerful and immersive by combining VR with artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. The future of VR looks bright and promises a world that is more compassionate, equitable, and sustainable.
