Episode 39: Virtual Reality

What is the metaverse? How can you experience VR right now? In this very special episode, Aya and Josh strap on their Meta/Oculus Quest 2 headsets and meet face-to-face in virtual reality to talk about... virtual reality; specifically, the nature, logistics, opportunities, and dangers of virtual and augmented reality, Facebook, the metaverse, comfort (motion sickness, personal space, getting your "VR legs"), immersion (controllers, haptic feedback, field of view, hand tracking, omnidirectional treadmills), safety (sexual harassment, the guardian system, kids), accessibility/versatility (wireless vs. tethered, inside-out vs. outside-in tracking, cost of entry, battery life, accessories), available VR headsets (Meta Quest, HTC Vive, Valve Index, HP Reverb, Sony PSVR), privacy, virtual avatars, the different uses for VR (gaming, movies, fitness, work, education, travel, blowing off steam), the separation between fantasy and reality (VR violence), VR in films (Ready Player One, The Matrix, eXistenZ), NFTs, cryptocurrency, advancements in technology, and what the future holds for VR/AR (glasses, contacts, cybernetic enhancements/implants).