A Few Other Thoughts On The Matter......
Sometimes, the most important thoughts stem from those involved directly with the matter at hand. Let's see what some academians think about virtual reality:
"Currently, a bit primitive and cartoon-like when in real time" (Henry W. Targowski in Mark Space,1994)
"Used today in architecture, engineering and design, tomorrow in mass-market entertainment, surrogate travel, virtual surgery and cybersex, by the next century VR will have transformed our lives" (Howard Rheingold in Virtual Reality, 1991)
"A VR is a computer world that tricks the senses or mind. A virtual glove might give you the feel of holding your hand in water or mud or honey. A VR cybersuit might make you feel as if you swam through water or mud or honey. VR grew out of cockpit simulators uded to train pilots and may shape the home and office multimedia systems of the future. The idea of advanced VR systems as future substitutes for sex and drugs and classroom training is the stock and trade of modern science fiction or cyberpunk writing" (Bart Kosko in Fuzzy Thinking, 1993)
"A visual form of cyberspace" (Tagowski)