A company called BeAnotherLab believes that virtual reality (VR) "shouldn't give you heaven, but hardship." According to a story in Wired, this company believes that VR shouldn't be just about swimming with sharks or racing cars but about giving people a taste of adversity. So they let a VR wearer interact with real events while someone else experiences the action virtually. The group has created shared experiences that range from being a Sudanese refugee seeking asylum to living with physical disabilities.
Cofounder Philippe Bertrand says, "CGI works, but you don't need a machine to feel empathy. Just look the person in the face and talk with them." The story gave a poignant example of a dancer in a wheelchair getting around New York City. The story ends, "When users sat in a chair, headset on, and manipulated a joystick, the dancer moved her wheelchair in a corresponding way; when users looked in a virtual mirror, they saw her face. But when they moved their legs, hers stayed still—which was by far the most moving part of the whole experience."
Possible Preaching Angle:
Hats off to BeAnotherLab for a creative way to use technology. But there's even a better way to grow in compassion—view the world through the eyes and heart of Jesus.