Virtual is the new reality

This one feels a little difficult in the beginning, but at the same time very intriguing. It feels like the new normal from now on. I agree it can’t replace the human need to socialize, but it came to our rescue when we needed it the most. We were able to socialize responsibly, so basically, we were distanced but still social. “Human beings are social animals”, is the first behavioral aspect we learn about our species. So, the lockdown was stimulating for us and challenged one of our most primitive traits. I feel slowly but steadily people are now understanding and valuing the difference virtual presence can make in our lives.

I remember few months back we were discussing this topic in office (the good old days) and were told to think of use cases that can be used to do a POC, or just to build a hypothesis around the idea of VR. We thought of so many and the thought that lingered in my head was “why would someone not want to do things in person?”  I guess me and anyone who ever this question had, now has an answer. However far we are from each other, we can still be connected. We can buy grocery for our elderly parents, who can’t step out.  A father can read bedtime stories and a mother can pass on the traditional cooking skills to her daughter and many more aspects. We can really feel close, even when we are miles apart.

Image courtesy - Google

Nothing actually stopped even when we were not stepping out. Education continued, work continued, entertainment continued, fitness continued, collaboration continued. We found new ways and reasons to keep in touch virtually. We tried group chats, online games, video calls. This virtual experience brought us out of office and into the homes of our colleagues and friends.  The background noise, told us who they have around, is it a six-year-old dancing on “let it go” or a pet warranting attention. What started as background noise, slowly became an expected and welcome hindrance to the long meetings. Many people who were working from home for the first time realized, how much time and energy they saved as they were not commuting. Families today, know more closely how we contribute to our organization and I see a newfound pride in their eyes.

All in all, I guess the group that enabled it for us, played a huge role in making this a smooth ride for us. I think we have a long way to go, we are still at the early stages of a technological revolution.

I see a more virtually connected world for us being a new normal. I see physical barriers coming down while bringing more exposure. I see talent surpassing the demographic limits and emerging as an advantage no matter where you are located. We have during these times seen the same challenges across geographies and I believe this brings us closer.

On a personal front, during the pandemic me and my Daughter have been staying in India while my husband is stuck in Australia. Things have been easy as we are still as much a part of each other’s live as we could. We try and share responsibilities; he takes care of most of my online ordering activities and we try and watch stuff together on weekends and have movie marathons running. My daughter gets a lot of time with him and he helps her out with her studies on Facetime. Also, my daughter’s birthday is soon approaching, and I plan to have a Zoom call party for same. This way we can invite people from across continents and different time zone. This year we plan to have more people that we would have had otherwise on any given birthday party. At this note I end my virtual saga and ask you to share how VR made your life better during this lockdown.