Virtual reality has the power to let us visit the past. Well, duh, any medium whether its literature or film has the power to do that, really. But just think about what it could actually entail if we use VR to do so. The possibilities - in theory - are endless.
In fact, some of these possibilities are already being put to the test, and they would inevitably make anyone's ears prick up, whether they're a VR fanatic or someone who usually couldn't give a toss about nerdy things like this.
VR Is All About Immersion
By definition, VR is all about immersing oneself pretty much entirely in another reality. Yes, there is undoubtedly a significant immersion factor attached to reading a deliciously addictive book, watching an enthralling movie, or wiling away hours at a time playing your favorite Elder Scrolls game.
But with VR, this is all taken ten steps further. For all intents and purposes, you are there. You're actually in the world that you would otherwise just be reading about, or seeing played out on a screen a few feet in front of you.
Obviously any regular person who is sufficiently in touch with this reality would at least remain semi-aware that the VR world is, in fact, an illusion. But the important thing is, you're tricking your primary senses - sight and hearing - and thus tricking your brain into believing even for a moment, that you're actually there.
VR Technology Still Has A Long Way To Go
Now, one of the first counterarguments to these ramblings could be that, with the way VR tech is at the moment, there surely are still a lot of obstacles that would get in the way of the kind of complete and utter immersion one fantasizes about when thinking about VR.
Sure, there are a whole host of immersion-breaking factors that need ironing out. Like the cybersickness thing that unfortunately prevents a lot of users from diving into a VR world for hours at a time. Or the floating hands thing (à la the upcoming Half-Life: Alyx) whose silly appearance at face value is convincing some people that they'll get in the way of complete immersion.
Reliving Memories In VR
Let's (ironically) put aside these realistic concerns and dream big for a bit. Imagine being able to immerse yourself in a past world. An event that has long since passed that you would only have dreamt in your wildest dreams of being a part of. Woodstock 1969? DisneyLand's (slightly chaotic) opening day in 1955? The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989? Watching The Beatles perform live during their heyday?
Perhaps more grisly historic moments, like the storming of the Normandy beaches on D-Day in 1944, or the earth-shattering events of 9/11. Of course, in such cases, we must take caution. The VR-ification of such awful events should be carefully handled in such a way as not to sensationalize them or in any way undermine the trauma experienced by those who were actually there. The focus ought to be on learning more about the events, or perhaps on paying homage to those involved.
Or we can bring it back to a happier, more personal level. Instead of taking camcorder footage of your baby's first steps, why not take a 3D video and relive in it VR, whenever you want?
Ancient Worlds Revived
How about taking a stroll through Ancient Rome or medieval London? The great thing is, we don't have to dream much about these ones, because the folks at Lithodomos VR have already got a headstart on recreating ancient worlds such as these in VR, available on a range of platforms including mobile ad Oculus.
Others are also at it, like The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales who have already recreated a VR rendition of Tintern Abbey - a site which inspired Romantic poets and artists alike for centuries - as it would have appeared during the early nineteenth century.
VR And Dementia
Speaking of reliving the past using VR, a super interesting endeavor has been initiated in the realm of health sciences, particularly in the treatment of dementia. This is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized - among other things - by memory loss.
A couple of researchers explored the possibility of using various VR scenarios to improve the sense of self and "life engagement," and even to encourage the revival of memories previously thought of as inaccessible to dementia patients. Of course, there is still a lot of fine print regarding these hypotheses, especially considering VR is still in its youth. But the idea is there, we just need to finds ways to make it a reality, so to speak.
VR Is The Way Of The Future
The way we experience and immerse ourselves in stories has been repeatedly revolutionized throughout history, with the invention of the printing press, of photography and film, video games, and so on. In a similarly profound manner, VR is doing the same thing, right now. Although it's still early days, it seems more possible than ever to dream big, in VR.