Dangers of virtual reality

[Hans Van Rostenberghe]

Dear all,

I first apologize for not actively taking part in recent projects for personal reasons (hectic and tumultuous period).

I have enjoyed writing for and reading many of our anthologies  and appreciate super much the efforts of Dr Fab and all of you, members. We have made our voice heard on many important world issue.

Now we are faced with a threat that may be bigger than any war or conflict that is in the news. We are faced with AI, virtual reality and all its unwanted consequences may be soon a part of our life.

AI can create virtual friends, beautiful persons, doing whatever you want them to do. Just putting on goggles of virtual reality may let you have a huge variety of artificial but inherently pleasant experiences. Virtual reality may be more addictive than any abused substance, be it alcohol, hallucinants or stimulants. On the surface it may seem quite innocent to have pleasure in virtual reality, but humanity may loose its touch completely with the  beauty of true reality and we may be at the complete mercy of the whims of the ones in control of AI. 

 

The growth potential of true human beings lies in overcoming obstacles, in going through difficult situations, in living through and learning from emotional pain. We cannot be truly happy without having overcome some of these. True happiness lies in personal growth, altruism, creativity, genuine love and nature's beauty. Mere pleasure through tricking our mind into virtual experiences may make us nothing more than AI-addicts and take away our truest peace of mind and happiness.

Reality as it is, is beautiful. I certainly feel with and am compassionate with the people suffering from wars and conflicts. But a power-thirsty elite may trey to profiteer from all the troubles that flood the news and gain control of the minds of many through powerful AI and virtual reality.

It is the task of poets to highlight the beauty of nature, the beauty of love, the beauty of peace, the beuaty of creativity, of honesty, of compassion, ...

Let us create a anthology titled: REALITY, it is far too beautiful to make it virtual.

Please let me know how many of you would be interested to contribute

Looking forward to a fantastic work and book

Thanks in advance and best regards

Hans Van Rostenberghe (Aufie Zophy)