Will virtual reality be the end of human relationships in the future?

[BronyPony 575]

There have been many games made for the Oculus Rift that lean towards the idea of a relationship simulator. The question is once virtual reality becomes realistic enough and AI becomes more advanced, will it end human relationships? My opinion is yes because it may involve less responsibilities and it may have some benefits for those who are not so lucky in finding relationships. 

 

EDIT: I do not prefer virtual relationships. Let me be clear here. 

Edited September 3, 2014 by BronyPony

[TenorSounds 832]

I don't think VR is going to end human relationships, regardless of how advanced the AI is; some people might substitute it for human interaction, but I don't think it'd be ubiquitous in society at large.

 

Androids, however? That's another story. If those things become advanced enough, they might as-well be human.

[Invincible 2,091]

No matter how advanced or intimate a virtual reality simulation gets, it'll never replace the need for true human companionship. It's the certain element of knowledge that'll be missing - no matter how in-depth the simulation will be, how believable, it's still a program, a simulation, and knowing this it will only deepen my crave for a true relationship. I don't know if the rest of us feel the same, but i refuse to play through a lie just to satisfy my social instincts. The very act of knowing i'm in a simulation will sour the taste, even if i try.

[BronyPony 575]

I don't think VR is going to end human relationships, regardless of how advanced the AI is; some people might substitute it for human interaction, but I don't think it'd be ubiquitous in society at large.

 

Androids, however? That's another story. If those things become advanced enough, they might as-well be human.

But then costs will come into play. Virtual technology will be cheaper than physical technologies.

[TenorSounds 832]

I completely agree, but costs will go down with time and eventually androids won't even be something you "purchase" but something more akin to a new species. That's way, way in the future though. Regardless of price I don't think VR is going to be widely adopted as a relationship-substitute.

[BronyPony 575]

No matter how advanced or intimate a virtual reality simulation gets, it'll never replace the need for true human companionship. It's the certain element of knowledge that'll be missing

Could you say what elements?

 

 

 

I don't know if the rest of us feel the same, but i refuse to play through a lie just to satisfy my social instincts. The very act of knowing i'm in a simulation will sour the taste, even if i try.

In a way, we all live a lie in the real world, especially in the social aspects.

[Invincible 2,091]

Could you say what elements?

 

In a way, we all live a lie in the real world, especially in the social aspects.

I suppose it's the fact that actions in the real world have consequences - it makes you attach a value to a relationship. The fact you could literally back out of your pseudo-relationship with a computer at any moment breaks this illusion.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

No.

 

1. It'd be far too costly for one that's worthwhile. Most of the world wouldn't be able to afford it. Almost every nation in the world knows about love and marriage, but not everyone is as technologically advanced as the US or the Japanese. 

 

2. Expanding on that last point, if they were to make am affordable one, chances are it'd be low quality. I get the feeling that a relationship simulator with the power to overtake traditional relationships wouldn't be a 60 dollar disc at Walmart.

 

3. Sex. Putting this as couthly as possible, there is no way that having an intimate relationship with a virtual reality simulator would be able to compare to the real deal, and like it or not, sex appeal has its role in a relationship. While physical technology would be able to fill this regard, I can't see virtual being able to completely fulfill that part of a relationship.

 

4. Human companionship. People like tradition. Not everyone, of course, but when it's been the only thing they know for most of their lives they are less likely to convert. 

 

5. Expanding on that last point, I can see this easily becoming bully bait and people who use it would be ostracized for "not being able to get a real girlfriend." Which would create turnoff for the subject. 

 

6. Procreation. Some people want real, live kids. I don't think this is sosomething that could birth an actual child. Maybe a virtual child, but not one of blood, flesh, and bone. 

 

There's a few reasons I think it won't be happening anytime soon. 

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

Oh, not by a LONG shot!

 

Now, @ghostfacekiller39 cover most of the important topics quite well, so I won't go over them.

 

One thing that I will add is the religious aspect. If there is one thing that could very well hamper such technology, which is still fairly behind the eight ball in a way, is how the more extremely religious types will react to it. If they try to play politics, then I can see the technology facing many barriers to passage.

 

But then again I could very well be wrong.

[BronyPony 575]

 

1. It'd be far too costly for one that's worthwhile. Most of the world wouldn't be able to afford it. Almost every nation in the world knows about love and marriage, but not everyone is as technologically advanced as the US or the Japanese. 

Another user here brought up how technologies get cheaper over time.

 

 

 

2. Expanding on that last point, if they were to make am affordable one, chances are it'd be low quality. I get the feeling that a relationship simulator with the power to overtake traditional relationships wouldn't be a 60 dollar disc at Walmart.

High quality technologies are available for low prices. Mobile devices, for example.

 

 

 

 

3. Sex. Putting this as couthly as possible, there is no way that having an intimate relationship with a virtual reality simulator would be able to compare to the real deal, and like it or not, sex appeal has its role in a relationship. While physical technology would be able to fill this regard, I can't see virtual being able to completely fulfill that part of a relationship.

Once we tap into how the brain works, the simulation could probably make it unnoticeable in different.

 

4. Human companionship. People like tradition. Not everyone, of course, but when it's been the only thing they know for most of their lives they are less likely to convert. 

Evidence of history shows otherwise.

 

 

 

 

5. Expanding on that last point, I can see this easily becoming bully bait and people who use it would be ostracized for "not being able to get a real girlfriend." Which would create turnoff for the subject. 

 

And the vice versa might actually be the case once enough generations go by. We have come to accept porn and many other forms of media "normal" after a certain amount of years.

 

 

 

 

6. Procreation. Some people want real, live kids. I don't think this is sosomething that could birth an actual child. Maybe a virtual child, but not one of blood, flesh, and bone. 

If virtual reality becomes very close to reality, it, again, might not be noticeable.

[TenorSounds 832]

@@BronyPony, I think you might have to clarify exactly what you think this super-advanced VR is going to entail if you want everyone to be on the same page. Personally I don't think VR will get much farther than screens, it sounds like you're essentially describing something akin to "The Matrix".

Edited September 3, 2014 by TenorSounds

[DubWolf 17,249]

Nope. Let's say for example.. I just wouldn't be able to fall for someone virtually (doesn't exist) than a real person . Maybe I could, but I need an actual person who came to me, not someone making them to come to me .

 

Maybe it'll just keep people from staying off their phones more often, but that's about it, I would say.

[SparklingSquirrels 21,332]

I hope not! D:

 

I don't think a virtual "person" could ever be a replacement for a real human with real (not programmed) thoughts and feelings. I think the relationship would feel fake and forced...

[CubeMan123 4]

No, actual physical contact and VR are completely different experiences.  

[Moss 95]

YEH totally.Second life will soon be my ONLY life.