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Conference marvin::uk_music

Title:The UK Music Conference
Notice:Welcome (back) to UK_MUSIC on node MARVIN.
Moderator:RDGENG::CROOK
Created:Mon Mar 28 1988
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1381
Total number of notes:39269

836.0. "Virtual Reality" by IGETIT::BROWNM (Isn't reality only virtual anyway?) Wed May 01 1991 13:05

    Virtual Reality.
    
    This is the note for future musical possiblities that are related to
    Virtual Reality.
    
    Virtual Reality is (for those who don't know yet) is a simulated
    environment controlled by specialised hardware and software.  At
    present there are headsets and headphones that you plug into the
    computer and the software simulates another environment.
    
    For instance using hardware that is connected to a pig's nervous system
    and special software, scientist have been able to simulate what it's
    like to be a pig.  That's what I've read.  You could be a goldfish, a
    dinosaur, or on a beach in the Bahamas, all using Virtual Reality.
    
    How does this relate to music?  Experiments have been carried out at
    exhibitions in the States where people have been able to transmit MIDI
    (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) messages to a sound generator by
    thinking about it!  Or by blinking.  I suppose you could fart the
    National Anthem! ;-)
    
    Anyway, the Shamen have been saying how in the future musicians will be
    able to use a Vitual Reality environnment to provide a particular
    atmosphere to write a song.  eg.  You could create an environment where
    you could be an oppressed black in South Africa. which might inspire
    you to write about what it's like.
    
    I think the possiblities are stunning, anyone else have any thoughts?
    
    
    matt
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836.1CHEFS::PRICETThe Workshy FopWed May 01 1991 13:1210
    
    When most of today's chart fodder is about love and sex I dread to
    think what situations they'd want creating.
    
    Call the vice squad now =8*)
    
    Tim
    ---  
    
    P.S. Mary Whitehouse is God
836.2Available on LP, Tape and CDRomMIACT::RANKINEWed May 01 1991 13:343
    Take Brian Eno into the back of a VAX, and hell produce a 4 LP series
    entitled 'Music to Fix Vaxes to' on the Field Service label
    Paul
836.3WELCLU::GREENBIt's gon' rainWed May 01 1991 14:267
    I have enough trouble dealing with what passes for 'reality' in this
    world without having to deal with other artificial 'realities'.
    
    Mind you, I think the world would benefit from certain people being
    hooked up to one of these things and then promptly switching it off.
    
    Bob
836.4Well, it's virtually reality!NEWOA::SAXBYProust? Does he note in CARS_UK?Wed May 01 1991 14:369
    
    Judging by the kind of people playing with virtual reality on Horizon,
    I reckon most of them would be hard pressed to recognise reality in the
    form of a 10 ton truck if it ran 'em over! 
    
    Unlike dope it won't kill you, but I'm not sure what it'll do to your
    mental state?
    
    Mark
836.5Seen it, done it...BAHTAT::SUMMERFIELDCNay, nay, and thrice nay!Wed May 01 1991 17:1014
    I'm not sure, but hasn't Steve Hogarth from Marillion already used some
    virtual reality stuff. I think they did a track called Eric where Steve
    uses this glove covered in sensors to play a virtual instrument.
    
    I have a suspicion that, given the lack of relevance in most pop songs
    today, most pop artists are already living in a virtual reality.
    Certainly most of their output appears to be virtual music.
    
    Re .3
    
    When you find the switch, let me know.
    
    Balders
836.6Will flares still be fashionable ??MIACT::RANKINEWed May 01 1991 17:2714
    Ive actually used a VR system as an alternative user interface for 3D
    CAD systems. NASA has restricted use of such systems for 20 mins MAX
    (bit like listening to Madonna) as any extension to this time can be
    disorientating to users. The reaction of the people finishing the VR
    warplane combat game was how I felt after using VR...totally amazed,
    and it took a few minutes to realise I was back in the real
    world...although my wife reckons I never have or will be in the real
    world.
    Presumably the next extension would be something which, by use of
    stimulating one sense, would trigger a few others. So some form of
    coded sound/message would fire up some video/image with a sountrack in
    the humans mind...or should I stop smoking this stuff ??
    
    Paul
836.7Seen the glove things - real odd ...SBPUS4::BEAGLEWhere Beagle's Dare ...Thu May 02 1991 10:567
    All sounds very much like "Better than life" the virtual reality game
    played in "Red Dwarf" where folks die because they are so hooked into
    the game they forget to eat/sleep/whatever ..... 
    
    Freeeeeeeeeaky
    
    Personally I could never even cope with Space Invaders :-)
836.8Thought For The DayXSTACY::PATTISONA rolling stone gets the wormThu May 02 1991 13:367
    Perhaps all life is virtual reality. 
    When you die, someone takes off your headphones.



    Dave (close to doing just that)
836.9IGETIT::BROWNMIsn't reality only virtual anyway?Thu May 02 1991 17:311
    re-1, very good!