Real-World Power of Virtual Reality
As lockdown and the reality of the global pandemic solidified in June of 2020, a new door opened. An entrepreneurial friend invited me to join him in a 6-week world building pilot project with a diverse team of PhD students, scientists, academic visionaries and change-makers. The kicker … the entire project would be hosted in virtual reality.
Did I have any VR experience … no.
Was this an irresistible invitation … absolutely!
The project was a virtual “Expedition” called Afterville that posed a timely and mind-opening question:
What could a post-pandemic 2028 world look like after the catastrophic breakdown, divisions and unfolding environmental crisis in 2020?
Project Themes: Life, Liberty, Inclusion, Exclusion
Guided by a brilliant team of veteran game designers, world builders and advisors, we came together for 6 weeks in VR as Avatars to listen openly, vote on development priorities, learn the capabilities of social VR and share futures research. The project invited deep reflection on the nature, infrastructure and culture of a better world. Without material world constraints, we could solve problems in imaginative ways. It was so enlivening to walk our virtual development, debate matters of governance, sustainability and environmental regeneration … all from the comfort of home.
When the pilot was complete, we celebrated in the community center of Afterville with cocktails, a fireworks show and some seriously breath-taking sky diving off our fantastical airship. I was filled with optimism and hope that better futures were possible for real.
InSights from WorldBuilding in VR
Importance of wonder, curiosity, play, imagination & a learning mindset … We all need opportunities to stretch our imagination beyond current realities. Where established identities and limiting beliefs can fall away to allow space for new possibilities.
VR is Real … The life-like visceral presence of “being” an avatar is mind-blowing. Because your 3D digital body is controlled by your real body … the brain and body believe the experiences are real. Empathy is real, inspiration is real, curiosity is real … experiences are real.
Co-Creation is the Future: We’re not built to figure everything out on our own or operate in silos. We need other people to grow. Social learning in VR proved to be an engaging way to co-learn, co-create, discover, experiment, and stimulate new ideas beyond the seen or known.
Pioneers Pushing Boundaries of Innovation: VR has made inroads in nearly every sector, including: healthcare, live events, real estate, travel, retail, education, training and entertainment. Big brands are pioneering the future of meeting, learning and working to combine physical and virtual experiences that are pushing VR platforms to continually add functionality and feature integration.
Unexpectedly, the Afterville project ignited my deep longing for evolutionary change and inspired me to join other world builders, change makers and believers to work toward co-creating better futures. Proving we never know when saying “yes” might ignite something unexpectedly or open life-changing opportunities.
Invitation: If you are exploring VR, let’s chat. We can meet in the Better Futures Studio riverfront workspace in AltSpace if you have a VR headset.