Virtual Reality as the next Type of Public Space

True, accessible virtual reality is something that, even in the early 2000's, seemed like something of a futuristic dream that would only happen in science fiction films.  Now, much like self-driving cars, it doesn't seem so crazy anymore.  Companies like Oculus, Sony, Valve, and many others already have working headset concepts with some, like the Oculus Rift, already have development previews available for purchase.  The official releases of these all vary, but VR can be expected to become a norm within the next few years.  Most of these companies are creating VR headsets targeted at gamers, but the possible applications of the technology does not stop there.  There is a reason Facebook took interest in Oculus and bought it for two million back in 2014; the implications for how this technology can be used for social interaction could potentially change how we interact over the internet completely.

As of now, the closest thing we have to being "face-to-face" with someone else over the internet is through video chat.  This has worked relatively well and is a more accessible than ever with applications like Facetime and Skype making it only a click away, even on mobile devices.  Imagine, however, if it were just as easy to be launched into a fully-immersive virtual space (whether that space be a re-creation of a real place or a completely fictional one) with another person across the world and be able to intuitively interact with them as if they were really right in front of you.  Kotaku did an interesting review of Oculus' new touch controllers that go along with the Oculus headset to immerse the user even further through intuitive hand controls.  One of the reviewers started off the discussion by noting, "The thing that left me so excited was how quickly I accepted the virtual version of the demonstrator was in the same space as me. As soon as I slipped on the headset and he started speaking to me, I responded to him as though he was in the same room. It was more than just speaking to each other, too, we were both using our hands to make the sorts of gestures you do in everyday conversation".  One criticism that many people have of online interactions is that it is impersonal and detached; if the experience offered really is this immersive, then it would completely change how we view virtual public spaces because it would give them an actual visible presence.  

It might seem like needing the whole headset-controller setup would make this experience a bit more impractical than just video chatting someone, but with VR quickly becoming prevalent on smartphones through low-cost headset mounting accessories that might not be the case.  A perfect example of this is Google's Cardboard headset which is literally a d.i.y. cardboard headset; obviously, most people wouldn't want to walk around with cardboard on their heads, but the proof of concept for a low-cost VR implementation is there and there are many other cheap alternatives coming out all the time.  Once companies like Facebook or Microsoft start developing VR implementations specifically geared towards virtual interactions with other people, you really might be able to just take your phone out with a small headset and launch an app to be "physically" face-to-face with someone across the world instantly.