Can the use of virtual reality pornography lead to the end of life as we know it? Some people think so, or at least it can change our lives dramatically. A new study published by the National Center for Biomedical Information found that it comes with a number of health related challenges and some experts warn it could ruin normal personal relationships.
The main problem here is with the difference in the way virtual reality works from traditional still photographs and videos.
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Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that creates simulated environments that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors.
Users can explore virtual worlds and interact with virtual objects (for example, to play games) as if they were real. VR headsets are becoming increasingly popular for entertainment, education, and training purposes.
VR offers a fresh take on narrative experiences compared to traditional two-dimensional (2D) displays. It creates a powerful sense of immersion, placing the user directly within a story. This “being there” feeling is achieved through the unique sensory capabilities of VR.
The researchers explained that Virtual reality (VR) pornography is a relatively new medium for the experience of pornography. In juxtaposition with traditional modes of experiencing pornography, such as two-dimensional (2D) displays,” VR promises a new experience of pornography for the user,” they wrote.
VR can offer the feeling of “being there”: an “increased sense of immersion and presence in a mediated experience thanks to the sensory affordances of the medium.” In an effective VR environment, the user is immersed in the experience itself, feeling an embodied presence in the world presented to them and able to interact with the environment and others in the environment in ways that cannot be achieved in other media. In terms of pornography, this is potentially revolutionary. The user can be embodied in one of the performers and experience a unique perspective.
Alternatively, some VR interfaces explore the potential for users to interact with simulated characters within the environment. This interaction could lead to heightened user engagement and potentially influence how users perceive and respond to the narrative.
“Collectively, the results underscore the notion that VR improves immersion and presence for subjects, and this can translate to increased sexual desire, empathy for performers in pornography, and sexual anxiety in watching pornography,” they said. “This is a field in infancy, and the initial results of empirical work suggest that VR can intensify some key aspects of the experience of pornography. Theoretical reflections on VR pornography indicate many areas that require further empirical research.
