Antony West (Author)

Virtual reality (VR) promises immersive experiences that could revolutionise education, entertainment, and remote work. However, the potential for VR to become a new form of societal control, akin to a digital prison or a tool for mass manipulation, raises chilling questions. Imagine a world where people retreat into perfectly crafted virtual realities, disconnecting from real-world problems, or where state-controlled VR environments subtly shape beliefs and behaviours. The more immersive and compelling these alternate realities become, the greater the risk of losing touch with actual challenges or being subjected to sophisticated forms of propaganda. Ensuring that VR enhances our lives rather than entraps them will require careful ethical consideration and robust regulation. What are the potential dangers of a fully immersive virtual reality?