Article review two readings: “I Feel You: Alyssa K. Loh on Virtual Reality and Empathy,” Artforum, November 2017. https://www.artforum.com/print/201709/alyssa-k-loh-on-virtual-reality-and-empathy-71781 Joshua Rothman, “Are We Already Living in Virtual Reality?” New Yorker, April 2, 2018. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/02/are-we-already-living-in-virtual-reality (also available as audio)

QUESTION

write a summary (150 words for readings), one prompt, (come up by writer), and one concise answer to your prompt. I attached two readings, for each reading, write 150 words summary, one prompt, and one concise answer to your prompt.

two readings:
“I Feel You: Alyssa K. Loh on Virtual Reality and Empathy,” Artforum, November 2017. https://www.artforum.com/print/201709/alyssa-k-loh-on-virtual-reality-and-empathy-71781

Joshua Rothman, “Are We Already Living in Virtual Reality?” New Yorker, April 2, 2018. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/02/are-we-already-living-in-virtual-reality (also available as audio)

ANSWER

Reading 1: “I Feel You: Alyssa K. Loh on Virtual Reality and Empathy” (Artforum, November 2017)

Summary

In the article “I Feel You: Alyssa K. Loh on Virtual Reality and Empathy,” Alyssa K. Loh explores the potential of virtual reality (VR) to enhance empathy. Loh highlights how VR can create immersive experiences that allow individuals to step into the shoes of others and understand their perspectives more deeply. By simulating different environments and situations, VR can evoke emotional responses and foster empathy towards marginalized groups or individuals with different life experiences (Loh, 2030). Loh also acknowledges the ethical concerns associated with VR, emphasizing the need for responsible usage and awareness of the potential for manipulation or exploitation. However, she ultimately believes that VR has the power to expand our capacity for empathy and enhance our understanding of the world.

Prompt

How does virtual reality contribute to empathy and understanding?

Concise Answer

Virtual reality has the potential to contribute to empathy and understanding by immersing individuals in simulated experiences, enabling them to empathize with others’ perspectives and emotions. By providing a first-person encounter with different scenarios and marginalized groups, VR allows users to develop a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and promotes empathy towards others. However, responsible usage and ethical considerations are crucial to ensure that VR is used ethically and responsibly, avoiding manipulation or exploitation. Ultimately, VR can expand our capacity for empathy and enhance our understanding of the world by providing transformative experiences that bridge the gap between different lived realities.

Reading 2: Joshua Rothman, “Are We Already Living in Virtual Reality?” (New Yorker, April 2, 2018)

Summary

In “Are We Already Living in Virtual Reality?” Joshua Rothman explores the philosophical concept of virtual reality (VR) and questions whether our current reality is, in fact, a form of virtual reality. Rothman discusses the simulation hypothesis, which suggests that advanced civilizations might create realistic simulations of their ancestors (The New Yorker – April 2, 2018  USA, n.d.). He examines various theories and perspectives, including the works of philosopher Nick Bostrom and entrepreneur Elon Musk, who argue that it is statistically more likely for us to exist in a simulated reality. Rothman delves into the nature of consciousness, the limitations of perception, and the implications of living in a simulated world. While he acknowledges that definitive answers are elusive, he encourages readers to contemplate the possibility that our reality may be a sophisticated simulation created by an advanced civilization.

Prompt

What are the philosophical implications of the simulation hypothesis?

Concise Answer

The simulation hypothesis poses significant philosophical implications, raising questions about the nature of reality and our place within it. If our reality is a simulated construct created by an advanced civilization, it challenges our understanding of consciousness and the fundamental nature of existence. The hypothesis forces us to question our experiences’ authenticity and our perceptions’ limitations (Irwin et al., 2020b). It also raises ethical and moral concerns, such as the responsibilities of the creators of the simulation and the implications for our own agency and purpose. While the simulation hypothesis remains speculative, contemplating its philosophical implications encourages us to critically examine our assumptions about reality and consider alternative perspectives on the nature of our existence.

References

Irwin, K., Amaral, M. M., & Chester, D. K. (2020b). The Self-Simulation Hypothesis Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. Entropy, 22(2), 247. https://doi.org/10.3390/e22020247 

Loh, A. K. (2030). IN 2015, filmmaker Chris Milk gave a TED talk where he dubbed virtual reality “the ultimate empathy machine.” The idea—and phrase—stuck. Since then, his presentation has racked up nearly a million and a half views. Attend a tech panel, or browse the pages of the New York Times or Wired, and you will repeatedly encounter the claim of VR’s unique power to evoke an empathetic response in viewers. Slip on an Oculus Rift headset, and suddenly you are in a camp in Jordan, observing a family as they eat meager rations in a makeshift tent.Charities such as Amnesty International, the International. www.artforum.com. https://www.artforum.com/print/201709/alyssa-k-loh-on-virtual-reality-and-empathy-71781

The New Yorker – April 2, 2018  USA. (n.d.). Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/503281818/The-New-Yorker-April-2-2018-USA