Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Virtual worlds can be used in ways that both benefit society, while also having a few social stigmas that come with it. These worlds can be used as a platform for people who feel isolated in the real world to be connected to others (NYT, Turkle). However, this comes with a few social stigmas, such as the notion that people who sit in virtual worlds all day lack communication skills and are unable to function in the real world (subject up for debate). Virtual worlds foster creativity in ways especially demonstrated by the popular virtual world known as Minecraft (Forbes). The virtual world which allows for children and adults to foster their creativity using a platform home to unimaginable possibilities provides a unique way to allow people to express themselves while sitting at the comfort of their computer chair. Such virtual worlds also come with social stigma that people who find themselves spending hundreds if not thousands of hours on Minecraft are unable to socialize in a real life setting, sometimes perhaps even viewed as autistic, because they are seemingly lost in their own isolated world. 

Virtual worlds can also be used for educational purposes such as fostering virtual learning environments utilizing live video chats. As discussed in an earlier blog discussion, virtual classrooms are the wave of the future allowing for students to have never before experienced learning simulations. 

Future virtual worlds already exist (in relation to these articles about VLES written 10 years ago) in the forms of MMORPGs (massive multiplayer online role playing games) as well as social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. These virtual worlds do exactly what the world on VLES tried to do (NYT) in which the vision was for users to create their own character and be able to live their own customized life in their virtual world (such as World of Warcraft).
Even more futuristic virtual worlds will allow for augmented reality to take over, and have the user be part of an even more immersed virtual space, rather than sitting and looking at a computer screen, they will be able to better feel as though they are part of the space itself. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/arts/television/06itzk.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianemehta/2013/04/30/after-second-life-can-virtual-worlds-get-a-reboot/#621fc548735a