Virtual Tours vs. Written Word - Assignment Example

Virtual Tours vs. Written Word Virtual Tours vs. Written Word Virtual reality is a technological advancement that allows the simulation of different places on a digital display. The technology that handles Virtual reality is a 3D pair of glasses. The technology has been modified to enable people visit a distant place from the comfort of their home. The technology is so advanced that the simulation shows a virtual space that allows the different forms of the reality on display to be aired as a video. Virtual tours are therefore reality. This means that if a person wanted to see Machu Pichu but could not travel to the place personally They would simply put on the 3D glasses, and a simulation of the place would be shown to them. A virtual tour is a simulated version of a place in the real world. People who have participated in the virtual tour can picture beaches and trees among other (Griggs 2014). The technology has grown and become so precise that the difference between the real world is minute. Virtual reality, of course, has some shortcomings. First of all, virtual tours only offer the visual aspect of travelling. The smell and sense of culture that one would experience in the real world is non-existent in the virtual reality. One can only explore the virtual world to the extent of seeing the physical features of the place. This limits the experience compared to actual visits. For this reason, virtual tours are very good in the marketing of a place to other people. The rough feel of a place can be. Travel agencies and countries can, therefore, manipulate the technology and use it to promote their own country’s tourism industry (Griggs 2014). There are different companies whose version of virtual reality is as precise as Sony’s 3D glasses. Google maps, for example, has a classic simulation of the United States of America. A person that has not been to the continent can easily search a state, and get a precise version of the place. It is important to note that the difference in the way that the company has simulated the place on the ground is different from the actual reality. However, the features that are on the ground are very accurate. The technology is far from completion. Scientists are working on n audio version of virtual reality to complement the video functionality. The technology is called binaural audio. One of the most impressive features of this technology is that the sound that one hear is produced by simulating the process that humans have when hearing their reality. The resulting a replication of the sound that is in the real world. One of the most impressive features of this technology is its ability to capture the sound in the same way that the human ear capture sound. It is by far the most important and technologically advanced means of hearing things. The microphones that are used to capture the sound that is heard from these earphones look exactly like the human ear. This makes 3D audio a reality that can improve the video version of 3D reality (YouTube 2015) The future for virtual tourism is very bright. Different companies are all competing to present customers with the most realistic versions of out reality. People will no longer have to go through the intense research as they did before. Incorporation of 3D Audio is a boost to virtual reality (YouTube 2015). People will be able to hear sounds from the reality that they are shown. The effect will make it looks even more realistic. It is, however, important to note, that writing is a form of expression that has developed far much beyond virtual reality. Writing is an expression of ones thoughts and feelings towards an object, person or a place. Writers with their words can initiate conversations, describe a scene to the point where the people reading the text are moved. The impact that writing has over the reader is so intense that the readers can connect with the authors. The experience of reading a book is more realistic than virtual reality. This is because while in virtual reality one relies on their eyes and ears to get a feel for the place that they look to travel, writers make sure that the feelings that they stir in the hearts of their reads are so deep that they can feel and imagine the culture and people of a place. Such is the case of Otis Adams in the story of Machu Pichu. The author was able to describe their entry to a restaurant in such a form that as the reader digs deeper into the book, they can picture the entire scene. Adams say’s, “The fizzy drinks went down well with the dry desert air (Otis,2008). “ from this statement, the readers of the author can imagine the taste of the fizzy drinks as put in the book. The culture and atmosphere that a place has can also be depicted in words. The detail that the writers have when choosing their words and placing them all contribute to the feeling that they hope to leave their readers. Another feature that writers use in their books is the characters. The characters are put through the different situation in books. As the reader dig deeper into the lives of the characters that are created by the writers they can be shown different emotions. The imagery that writers use is enough to ensure that the readers can place themselves in the life of the characters. In Otis writing, he says that “She surveyed me with her big eyes for what seemed like ages (Otis,2008). “ As readers of the text, one can identify with the feeling that is described, offering a deeper experience. The technology of this century has been very instrumental in bringing the world closer and making things easier for the different people. The proponents of virtual reality claim that the experience of in virtual reality is almost as real as the feeling on the ground. This may not be the case as through reading books, one can map out the culture and live through the characters in the land that is described. This is a far much greater gift compared to the sight and hearing that virtual reality offers. Experience is about feeling and immersing one in the scene and culture. The sight of being curled up in a corner, reading a book so intimately that is seems one is not in the same reality is in itself experience. Book, therefore, are a better simulation of reality so far away. References Griggs. 2014. ‘Teleporting to Hawaii’ How Virtual Reality is Changing Travel. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/31/travel/virtual-reality-travel/ Otis, G.A. (2008). The Kindness of Strangers. Victoria, Australia: Lonely Planet Publications YouTube, (2015). Hear New York City in 3D audio. 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