How does our brain process experiences in VR?
The brain treats information in a VR world the same way as stimuli in the real world—generating real emotions. But the quality of the experience depends on various factors.
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00:00 We have two displays in front of the user's eyes.
00:05 Then the data is transmitted via the optic nerve back to the visual cortex.
00:09 And from there, depending on whether they recognize or want to grasp the objects, this
00:13 information is spread across the brain via neurons.
00:17 In other words, images and noises from the virtual world are processed similarly to information
00:25 in real life.
00:27 We collect most of our information using our eyes, and our visual perception also simulates
00:32 our other senses.
00:35 That's good news for VR users, because they may only be seeing images, yet they take in
00:40 the virtual worlds like real experiences.
00:44 Basically, almost the same thing happens as in real life.
00:50 We collect information using our senses, except in a virtual world shown on a computer display.
00:55 And we hear the 3D sound and process the information in almost the same way as in reality.
01:02 Each person perceives these virtual worlds differently, and it depends on the VR's quality,
01:09 too.
01:10 Users can feel emotions like joy or fear, just like in real life.
01:16 It's similar to watching a scary movie or reading a thrilling story.
01:21 But VR has one advantage, you're immersed in the sights and sounds of a virtual world,
01:26 making it more real.
01:33 How real an experience seems largely depends on the technology you use and the way the
01:37 virtual world is displayed.
01:40 As soon as you think you're really in that world and you feel present, you kind of fool
01:43 your brain.
01:47 How realistic VR feels depends on many factors.
01:52 Even minor hiccups, like a bad internet connection, can spoil the illusion and your experience.
02:00 For now, users are aware that they're in a virtual world from wearing a headset.
02:04 That makes it hard to completely zone out reality.
02:07 But that may change in the future.
02:15 These headsets are still pretty big and heavy, and rather clunky.
02:19 It's like wearing heavy ski goggles.
02:21 But we see the next generation of these devices shrinking in size, to be more like sunglasses,
02:26 for instance.