The technologies of virtual reality are advancing so rapidly that by the year 2012
computer users will have an almost real life experience of flying, tasting objects,
moving them, smelling them and even have a feel of their texture. Temples in Cyberspace
will be one of the first applications of this technology.
All our experiences and knowledge of the physical world are acquired through our five
senses of taste, smell, touch, sight and hearing. In addition to the five senses of the
physical world, there is the psychic sense of intuition. We enjoy the world or suffer
pain through our senses. These sensory inputs are processed by the brain and generate
within us a feeling of individuality, self and awareness.
Virtual reality allows one to get a full dose of sensory information, satisfying our
senses at a fraction of the cost of having those experiences in the real world, measured
in terms of energy and resources. In this manner, computer users in the year 2012 can
go to Stonehenge, visit the temple complex and museums of Delphi or fly low over the
Blue Ridge Mountains, all without leaving their computer. VR users will be able to go
window shopping in the exclusive boutiques of Paris, London and Rome and even try out
the merchandise on display. As a result of this advanced technology, the computer user
of 2012 can fulfill a major portion of his or her desires through VR at a very low cost
and with very little energy consumption. With desires satiated to a certain extent,
individuals can move on to higher things in life, as symbolized by the Temples in
Cyberspace. This is the first step towards spirituality and a major step in reducing greed.
Each individual needs to experience the world. With ever increasing choices available,
individuals want to cram this experience into a short time. This desire is latent in
all humans and has to be satiated. No amount of sermonizing can stop the younger generation
from trying to experience it. VR is energy efficient. It is also non-invasive when compared
to the wirehead's desire to drill holes in the skull to stimulate the brain. VR can
sometimes be more powerful than the real world since it allows almost anybody to feel and
sense the otherwise forbidden world, consider a VR version of Grand Theft Auto with the hot
coffee mod. It's also possible that this easy satisfaction of desires will result in
overindulgence. However, as the technologies of VR and experiences of individuals mature
they will move on to the higher experiences in the Temples of Cyberspace.
VR is, however, not a panacea for the ills of the present day world. It cannot satisfy the
real hunger, cure the diseases, and cannot substitute for the real human contact.
Nevertheless, it will allow a vast majority of citizens of 2012 to enjoy the world in an
interactive mode and help them move on to higher goals. This will help the world to move
towards sustainability.
The first step of an individual towards spirituality and hence sustainability is the
fulfillment of his or her basic desires. VR will allow this. Mankind of 2012 will then
move easily towards nirvana.
