The activities that evoke indirect-feelings constitute the business of 'Vicarious Experiences' (VE). Say, we are watching a TV documentary on travel to an exotic place, like Malaysia. While watching, we are actually living the experience of travel and exploration of that place. We are seeing the whole episode as a view from our eyes and feeling the locations & the beautiful locales. All this, albeit vicariously. The industry catering to delivering such experiences is the topic of this write-up.
There are many types of activities that we might site as examples of this VE industry - television, movie, non-technical print material (including magazines, novels, etc), computer games, online worlds like Second Life, and so on. Then there is a contrasting industry - the industry of 'Direct Experiences' (DE). This includes activities like, travel, outdoor activities (trekking, rock-climbing, surfing, etc), holidaying, shopping, et al. We can see a pattern in the kinds of activities that classify under these industry types. If the experience comes to us, then it is VE. This delivery could be facilitated by various sources - TV, print media & the Internet. When we go out and seek the experience, it is DE.
In my opinion, the VE industry is set for a boom. The various reasons for this are: Possibility: Many of the experiences delivered by VE is just not possible otherwise. Say, a moonwalk, playing in the national cricket team or being a celebrity. VE delivers a simulated environment to live these activities in the comfort of our homes. Affordability: Many of the VE activities might not be affordable my the majority of the masses. Something like, around the world travel or living an exuberant lifestyle. Safety: Some VE activities might just not be safe. Or they might be very inconvenient. Take parachuting for instance, how many people are in the right physical/mental fitness to try it out first hand? For this majority, such experiences are best enjoyed at the safety of our couch. 'Time for only a quick bite' lifestyle: Given our new-age metropolitan lifestyle, how many people can take the time out to experience the DE activities. In this age of instant gratification, VE is like fast food. Communication v/s commutation: And then there is this age old conflict - Is it easier to communicate the feelings than to commute to a place to experience it. As the means of communication become more efficient, greater amount of VE industries would proliferate.
The future: pseudo-realism The quest is on to make our VE more and more real. When we go out to a multiplex and enjoy a movie in a rich and appealing environment we are experiencing a quasi-DE. Or take 3D movies with 7.1 Dolby surround sound - they are just like being in the movie! The growth in the field of Virtual Reality should provide more of such realistic experiences. All said, the business of touching people's hearts is going to continue by leaps and bounds.
