Advantages and Dangers of Virtual Reality Although still in its infancy, virtual reality will have a substantial effect on our future way of life. Virtual reality has already made amazing progress in the world of commercial design and is expected to have a huge impact on everyday life as well. Virtual reality, when it becomes more available, will have various uses ranging from recreation to basic communication. Applications of virtual reality in different fields of occupations and research will have both positive and negative effects on our society. Virtual reality can be defined as a “technology that allows users to enter computer-generated worlds and interface with them three-dimensionally through sight, sound, and touch” (Newquist 93). Virtual reality combines computer simulation and visualization into one coherent whole (Peterson 8). The researchers say it represents an attempt to eliminate the traditional distinction between user and machine. Virtual reality is intended to provide a means to naturally and intelligently interact with information (8). Virtual reality vies to be the interface of the future, allowing everyday users to use their senses to interact with complex data. Virtual reality is a new exploration of science and technology that uses advanced and complex mechanics. Virtual reality allows users to go far beyond simply viewing a computer screen. Instead, the user wears a special suit or gloves equipped with fiber optic sensors. These fiber optic sensors are able to interpret body positions. The user also wears special glasses equipped with video screens and audio attachments. This equipment allows the user to be completely immersed in a computer-generated, three-dimensional model of reality (Carr 37). The use of two-way data transfer is what allows this interaction with an alternate reality. Fiber optic and electronic cables are connected to virtual reality equipment to record the user's movements (Newquist 93). These cables then send this information, called motion data, to workstations that edit the graphics in the model. The new information is then sent back to the user's headphones, displaying a graphic and audio world that is in tune with their movements. It is thanks to this hardwiring process that action/reaction information is continuously updated (93). To effectively create a 3D environment for the user, virtual reality combines the elements of immersion and interactivity. Immersion is the user's contact with virtual reality with as many senses as possible, including; sight, hearing and touch.