Putting on all of the different headsets last class was definitely very cool. Though I have tried these before, each one is still just a little different and the experience always changes. I currently have the cardboard VR set, and one thing about it is it's significantly less clear than the nicer ones, I often notice that things are blurry. Still, it is very cool to experience VR as I do sometimes feel physically present in the world. I watched the Ebola outbreak in Liberia video, and at some parts I really felt like I was there: when I was standing next to the little boy peeling something at the food market with people talking all around me, it felt like I was more than a spectator.  Prof. Pacheco had mentioned in class, this is almost like a fake memory that I have; I feel like I was really there and can describe the exact scenario and explain it to someone, but -- ultimately -- when I step back and think about it, this is no different than just watching a movie. Still, it feels like a lot more than that.

I did not feel dizzy at all, but that's also partly because I did not try walking around. I remember the first time I tried it, I was compelled to walk towards the elephant when I was on a safari, but as soon as I took a step forward I was scared. I was still not dizzy, but it was an indescribable and strange feeling as I knew that I was in a virtual world so when I began walking I felt like I was going to run into something or trip or fall. It really does mess with you a little bit, so unless it's made to be walked around with, I'd stick with sitting down and experiencing the world around you.

Sound also does play a big part in the VR world. There is a huge difference between wearing the headphones and not, as you only feel fully immersed when you cannot hear the outside environment. Though it is a complete 360 degrees immersive experience, without the sound, your brain clearly knows that you are not there. Our brain is much smarter than we imagine, so even at the slightest anomaly you realize that you're back in the real world and the safari really is just a movie. So, that is where the sound that moves with your head is really helpful. It makes a huge difference but it is unconscious, you don't really think about it until something sets off your brain that this is all fake, and the less that happens the better, which is where the 360 degree sound comes in.

It is also very funny to watch others in the VR world. You look very stupid sitting in a chair with the headphones on looking all around you into a cardboard box, but the funny thing is that even know the rest of us watching have already experienced the world and can imagine what the person is seeing, it is still very hard not to laugh at the very sporadic and random head and body movements. I am excited to see where VR is going to go because I keep seeing all kinds of articles about what is being done and how much this is taking off. Who knows, maybe pretty soon Virtual Reality will be at least an indirect competitor with airplanes, as we will no longer need to actually go to a place to fully experience the feeling of being there.

On an unrelated note, I'm very sorry for the late post. I am still thoroughly confused with navigating any part of this website and did not realize our class also had a post due (I thought it was just the other class).