Virtual worlds

As I watched the penguins scuttle about in their man made habitat, I realized that their world was – more or less – virtual and yet, to them it was as real as things get. This “fake” world held more meaning to them than the South Pole.

This “real-life” Club Penguin simulator made me think about my own perception of reality. A lot of what we consider to be part of the real or natural world is made by us – man. To an extent a lot of things are just as real when they are simulated or constructed within a game – for example economies or human interaction.

So we – like the penguins – are a part of a constructed world. But unlike the penguins we have a choice when it comes to improve and add to the construct.

We can also spend time in other virtual worlds while we figure out who we are and what we want.