The more I follow and read of the lastest technological developments, the more suspicious and cynical I become. I keep wondering where all this will eventually take us. As usual my hermeneutic of deep suspicion takes over. My sons, on the other hand, point out that this is not about suspicion or even cynicism. They contend that perhaps I am quickly passing my sell-by date. This may be so. Yet, being the progressive and radical thinker I think I am, I could not take such comment sitting down. Soon we were in a heated philosophical and ethical arguments about the pros and cons of a new technique referred to as "augmented reality" (AR) or "augmented vision" that the discussion zeroed on.
In a nutshell the technique called AR can be described as involving the following: Why leave computer grapics only on the screen of our computers? Why not superimposed it on the real world thus augmenting the world around us with virtual texts, graphics, peoples, animals: you name it for the the potential is mind-boggling. Just imagine that doctors will soon be able to use AR in their live surgery: instead of looking down at the patient and then at a screen, the whole works of the area can be superimposed or overlaid in one place giving the surgeon x-ray powers that would allow more efficient tinkering of our bodyparts. You can then expect NHS success rate to soar and people to live longer: that is if they do not mix up patient details! Drivers who are going on long trips can soon have a Sat Nav that will actually paint the road with all the marking and signs to show the driver which way to go. And if you are concerned about your looks do not worry, AR is there to affirm you: just look into those specially designed mirrors that will let you see and try out a variety of hairstyles and even designer wear. I am already feeling good about this!
For Churches that are worried about closure, salvation is at hand: AR can make "fresh expressions" look like Middle Ages stuff. Do not bother if your faithful few are unable to upkeep that listed and historic building. No need for fancy and costly refurbishing: you can invest in an AR sighting viewer (VSS) that will delight tourists with an augmented view of the historic site - as it used to be. You can even invent what it used to be. They can view what you want them to see: even adding bits for historic effect: with priests, side altars, choirs and the numerous faithful at worship. And if you can feature Satan somewhere in there or Harry Potter as the vicar all the better: your ratings with the young would jump up overnight. Queues will run all the way to the outside. And do not worry if your church is not that historic: you can turn it into a virtual safari park. All you will need to do is just load up the tourists with AR binoculars glued to their eyes in a small train that runs around the length of Church (with heights for rollercoaster effects of feeling). This will cretainly turn those once dying complexes into thriving businesses and ministers would even get delirious from counting the thousands that will cross the threshhold of the Church.
One can even get biblical with this stuff. Forget reading a "traditional" bible. Now is the chance to make all those reading optics viewable : select the stories and superimpose the virtual texts and graphics and watch your attendance soar. The whole liturgical works can also be included: hymn singing, praying, preaching, intercessions for the numerous battlefields around the world, the eucharist, baptism and even a wedding. And if your are worried about attendance at your funeral those AR binoculars can come in handy at the cremetorium. Who wants reality when it is so depressing? Why not augment it?
Life, however, is more complex and will remain so in spite of all our attempts at trying to give the good feel through AR. Augmented reality (AR) will not have the answers for real world/life complexities and the only experience gained will be that which has been set up and enclosed by those who have designed the reality. Would it help us to better understand what it means to human and how to make moral choices for the common good of all? At the heart of human waywardness is the love of power and AR, for all the good it may bring in some areas, further encourages the human ego to assume its self-sufficiency and self-mastery.
copyright jagessar
For Churches that are worried about closure, salvation is at hand: AR can make "fresh expressions" look like Middle Ages stuff. Do not bother if your faithful few are unable to upkeep that listed and historic building. No need for fancy and costly refurbishing: you can invest in an AR sighting viewer (VSS) that will delight tourists with an augmented view of the historic site - as it used to be. You can even invent what it used to be. They can view what you want them to see: even adding bits for historic effect: with priests, side altars, choirs and the numerous faithful at worship. And if you can feature Satan somewhere in there or Harry Potter as the vicar all the better: your ratings with the young would jump up overnight. Queues will run all the way to the outside. And do not worry if your church is not that historic: you can turn it into a virtual safari park. All you will need to do is just load up the tourists with AR binoculars glued to their eyes in a small train that runs around the length of Church (with heights for rollercoaster effects of feeling). This will cretainly turn those once dying complexes into thriving businesses and ministers would even get delirious from counting the thousands that will cross the threshhold of the Church.
One can even get biblical with this stuff. Forget reading a "traditional" bible. Now is the chance to make all those reading optics viewable : select the stories and superimpose the virtual texts and graphics and watch your attendance soar. The whole liturgical works can also be included: hymn singing, praying, preaching, intercessions for the numerous battlefields around the world, the eucharist, baptism and even a wedding. And if your are worried about attendance at your funeral those AR binoculars can come in handy at the cremetorium. Who wants reality when it is so depressing? Why not augment it?
Life, however, is more complex and will remain so in spite of all our attempts at trying to give the good feel through AR. Augmented reality (AR) will not have the answers for real world/life complexities and the only experience gained will be that which has been set up and enclosed by those who have designed the reality. Would it help us to better understand what it means to human and how to make moral choices for the common good of all? At the heart of human waywardness is the love of power and AR, for all the good it may bring in some areas, further encourages the human ego to assume its self-sufficiency and self-mastery.
copyright jagessar
image credit
www.media.mit.edu
www.media.mit.edu
