Virtual Realism

Virtual reality has introduced what is literally a new dimension of reality to daily life. But it is not without controversy. Indeed, some say that a collision is inevitable between those passionately involved in the computer industry and those increasingly alienated from (and often replaced by) its applications. Opinions range from the cyberpunk attitude of Wired magazine and Bill Gates's commercial optimism to the violent opposition of the Unabomber. Now, with Virtual Realism, readers have a thought-provoking guide to the "cyberspace backlash" debate and the implications of cyberspace for our culture. Michael Heim offers a comprehensive introduction to virtual reality and a provocative commentary on its present and future impact on our lives. Heim describes the fascinating and important industrial and military uses of virtual reality, as well as its artistic and entertainment applications. He argues that we must balance the idealist's enthusiasm for computerized life with the need to ground ourselves more deeply in primary reality. This "uneasy balance" he calls virtual realism.

virtual Reality Has Introduced What Is Literally A New Dimension Of Reality To Daily Life. But It Is Not Without Controversy. Indeed, Some Say That A Collision Is Inevitable Between Those Passionately Involved In The Computer Industry And Those Increasingly Alienated From (and Often Replaced By) Its Applications. Opinions Range From The Cyberpunk Attitude Of wired Magazine And Bill Gates's Commercial Optimism To The Violent Opposition Of The Unabomber. Now, With virtual Realism, Readers Have A Thought-provoking Guide To The Cyberspace Backlash Debate And The Implications Of Cyberspace For Our Culture.

michael Heim Offers A Comprehensive Introduction To Virtual Reality And A Provocative Commentary On Its Present And Future Impact On Our Lives. Heim Describes The Fascinating And Important Industrial And Military Uses Of Virtual Reality, As Well As Its Artistic And Entertainment Applications. He Argues That We Must Balance The Idealist's Enthusiasm For Computerized Life With The Need To Ground Ourselves More Deeply In Primary Reality. This Uneasy Balance He Calls Virtual Realism.

wq: The Wilson Quarterly - Edward Tenner

heim Is A Philosopher Determined To Sort Out What New Technologies Mean For Enduring Humanistic Issues....[he] Distances Himself From Those Enthusiasts Who Foresee A Posthuman Cyborg Destiny For Our Species....virtual Realism Is A Refreshingly Thoughtful Overview Of The Possibilities, And A Welcome Invitation To Humanist Critics To Understand And Guide Them.

Virtual Realism is an art form and a way of living with technology. To explain it, Michael Heim draws on a hypertext of topics, from answering machines to interactive art, from engineering to television programmes, from the meaning of UFOs to the Internet. The technology of virtual reality brought a new dimension to culture with its virtual offices and cyberspace friendships - but few agree on its merits. Opinions range from the Unabomber's Luddite activism to Wired's cyberpunk attitude to Bill Gate's commercial optimism. Virtual Realism guides readers through the debate and suggests ways of harmonizing computers with culture. Exploring a wide-range of virtual reality technologies, from a tour of a virtual art gallery to the heads-up-displays used by military pilots, Michael Heim shares the discoveries he has made over several years in the studios of VR designers. Always suggesting a harmony of technology with lifestyle, the result is an illuminating look at the meaning and value of human life in the age of cyberculture. From The Simple Vr Games Found In Upscale Video Arcades To The Ultimate Immersion--the Cave, A Surround Screen, Surround Sound System That Projects 3-d Computer Graphics Into A Ten-foot High Cube--virtual Reality Has Introduced What Is Literally A New Dimension Of Reality To Daily Life. This Book Takes A Thought-provoking Look At The Implications Of Virtual Reality For Our Culture And Suggests Ways Of Living With This Technology. 20 Color Illustrations. Vr 101 -- Virtual Realism -- The Art Of Virtual Reality -- Interactive Design: Tunnel Or Spiral? -- Infoecology -- Nature And Cyberspace -- Aws And Ufos. Michael Heim. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. From the simple VR games found in upscale video arcades to the ultimate "immersion"--the CAVE, a surround screen, surround sound system that projects 3-D computer graphics into a ten-foot high cube--virtual reality has introduced what is literally a new dimension of reality to daily life. This book takes a thought-provoking look at the implications of virtual reality for our culture and suggests ways of living with this technology. 20 color illustrations. 30 linecuts. In an attempt to fashion a new way of linking the limits of technology as it stands currently with the way humans live the author has come up with the concept of 'Virtual Realism'. He shows how humans can harmonise with the new technologies.