Virtual worlds can simulate the real world in different needed areas, such as healthcare and business. In "Going to the Virtual Office in Second Life," Tutton elaborates on the benefits virtual meetings bring to businesses, such as privacy in a company's own network and "work" in a whole range of environments such as auditoriums and collaboration pods. In addition, virtual worlds help reduce traveling costs for employees since they would not have to travel overseas to meet up with employees in other countries. The article continues to mention a virtual meeting tool IBM produces called Sametime 3D, where employees from different businesses can share ideas and collaborate in a 3D world. In this way, creativity is encouraged because "the environment was so engaging" (Tutton). However, some cons that associate with virtual meetings are lack of relational trust and relationship-building, since an online relationship can never equate to the value of meeting up face-to-face.
Some other negative aspects of virtual worlds are the behavioral outcomes that may occur after a person is engrossed in an online world. "Virtual World May Impact Real-World Behaviour" from Health24 delivers a connection between how you treat others in the real world and the character that you become online. For example, if you play a hero in an online simulation, you are more likely to act kindly towards others in reality. On the other hand, if you replicate a villain virtually, you are more likely to act deviously towards others in reality.
The future of virtual worlds will increasingly blend what is real and what is online together. For example, 3D virtual reality is now a new aspect of technology that makes it easy for people to experience the new and the unknown in the safety of a familiar space.
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References:
Tutton, Mark. "Going to the Virtual Office in Second Life." CNN. Cable News Network, 09 Nov. 2009. Web. 20 Mar. 2016. <http://www.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/11/05/second.life.virtual.collaboration/index.html>.
"Virtual World May Impact Real World Behaviour." Health24. N.p., 10 Feb. 2014. Web. 20 Mar. 2016. <http://www.health24.com/Mental-Health/News/Virtual-world-may-impact-real-world-behaviour-20140210>.
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