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Virtual Reality as Mass Escape from Dystopia

Description

In a ruined physical world, most of humanity spends its time in a virtual reality system (OASIS) that provides everything the real world lacks, testing whether virtual paradise is a solution to or evasion of real-world problems.

Real-World Relevance

THE canonical VR-as-escape scenario. Directly relevant to gaming addiction, metaverse proposals, and the question of whether immersive digital worlds help or hinder solving real-world crises.

Classification

Domains: Virtual Reality and SimulationEconomics and Resource AllocationSocial Engineering and Psychology

Scenario Types: Prediction / ExtrapolationWarning / Self-preventing prophecy

Outcomes: CautionaryAmbiguous / Mixed

Tags: vr-escapeoasismetaversedigital-escapism

Stories (5)

SF Dictionary