Brad Dana, Isaac Barden, & Jesse Dresselhaus Societal Impacts Document: Augmented Reality

Societal Impacts Document: Augmented Reality

There have been recent projects that have explored the possibilities of augmented reality such as Project Glass, better known as the Google Eye, and augmented vision through contact lenses. Google Eye is a project that a branch of Google, which focuses on futuristic tech, has recently been working on. These glasses, powered by smartphones, will allow you to check your email, update your Facebook, or even check in at your favorite restaurant. On the other side of things, multiple technology companies have been working on the idea of augmented vision through contact lenses. These lenses would give the wearer the ability to see the world with data superimposed on his or her visual field. These are two projects that have started the recent exploration of the possibilities of augmented

reality. One of the main concerns with this idea is the impact that these possibilities might present in today’s society as well as future societies.

The concept of augmented reality may seem like a great idea at first, but upon further exploration, one might find that there may be just as many negative effects on society as positive ones. Many scientists, psychologists, and other researchers have come across various potential negative effects that this technology may have on society. Professionals believe that this concept may have a huge impact on the young minds of teenagers who are already susceptible to rapid changes in behavior. Some have also delved into the possibility of psychological effects that it may cause in the brains of all ages.

Professional psychologists have provided research that shows the possible behavior effects that this technology may have on teenagers, seeing as their minds are extremely sensitive and susceptible to changes in beliefs, behavior, and much more. Not only do these professionals believe that augmented reality will have great effects on teenagers, they also have studied the effects that this technology could have even on adults and people of all other ages. An experiment performed by the National Research Council showed the teens participating in augmented reality video games experienced higher physiological arousal and aggressive thoughts compared to playing normal video games. The following are some pros and cons of augmented reality through goggles, contact lenses and other forms of technology. Other research has discovered effects that augmented reality can cause on the brain as well as physical effects. Some research has shown that people may experience readjustment problems after using augmented reality. This and other temporary effects have made some researchers wonder whether long-term use of this technology may cause permanent changes, especially in teens and children, whose brains are still developing and therefore are more easily modified than those of adults. A few think that it has the ability to even change adults’ brains permanently. On the bright side, some research has also shown some of the potentials of augmented reality. One of the most effective examples is the potential of augmented reality in socials skills training for people with autistic spectrum disorders. In addition to the positive and negative effects listed above, the following are some pros and cons that augmented reality may have on society today and in the future.

Pros

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  VR would be much more personal that electronic mail or instant messaging.
  
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  VR could be a great social leveler; it may find a common ground across differences in age, culture, and linguistic orientation. (Biocca and Levy 1995)
  
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  People may be drawn together by similar interests instead of purely by geographic location. (Biocca and Levy 1995)
  
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  Communication will be challenging and rewarding, more effective and productive, and thus more enjoyable. (Biocca and Levy 1995)
  

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  An inescapable aspect of social life is the formation and maintenance of interpersonal relationships (Biocca and Levy 1995)
  
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  Interaction ought not be substituted for community (Mayer 1999)
  
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  Separates the 'haves' from the 'have-nots', a technology of Information Age Industrialized nations
  
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  VR will provide a communication environment in which the dangers of deception and the benefits of creativity are amplified beyond the levels that humans currently experience in their interpersonal interactions. (Biocca and Levy 1995)
  
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  Could lead to low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness and insignificance, even self-destructive acts (Cartwright 1994)
  

This product will be done in collaboration with Google, and our Project Management Office (PMO) with software and hardware licensed from Bluetooth and HTC. The PMO will consist of Isaac Barden (Editor, On-line researcher, library researcher), Brad Dana (Communications Manager, Online survey Developer, business analyst), and Jesse Dresselhaus (Project Manager, Web Developer).