An antidote for dystopia? Augmented Reality

In his article, Dorian Benkoil discusses emerging uses of augmented reality, particulary by journalists and publishers. He explains augmented reality (AR) as a process where digital information is overlaid onto the physical world. At the time of his writing, most augmented reality applications existed on smartphones or on the web. Using GPS data and motion information from the mobile device, text and other content are added to images picked up from the device's camera. He gives an example that someone could point their phone at a large building and see "what restaurants and shops are available, or point down a street to see what subway stations are available in that direction and how far away they are."

Benkoil reveals that augmented reality has found a place in a variety of outlets. He mentions how a team at the Times has explored AR for location-based journalism, such as restaurant reviews and real estate details for available properties. Some applications of augmented reality, as described by Benkoil, offer more unconventional information: maps with a distribution of bailout dollars in neighborhoods, supplemental videos for magazine articles, web cam simulations of shipping boxes, and artist music videos that incorporate the user into the scenes. He brainstorms other possibilities for AR and journalism, such as a handheld that shows "details of a building [a journalist is] approaching. They might learn just where in a foreign ministry building a potential source’s office is, or that the spot they’re standing on is the site of a recent kidnapping or bombing." Benkoil believes, AR could help journalists use this information to identify and reach important locations faster, come up with ideas for stories, discover new sources, in other words " improve the speed, accuracy and the depth of their reporting."

Benkoil feels that augmented reality represents a lucrative venture for many reasons. He suggests that real estate brokers may use AR to allow possible tenants or buyers to virtually "see" properties on their handheld devices before ever entering the house or apartment. Benkoil also proposes that advertisers could overlay current promotions of different businesses on their physical location. He thinks that displayed ads could also be tailored according to interests, not just location. Benkoil ends by briefly admitting the frightening potential for invasions of privacy, but seems optimistic about the future of augmented reality.

Reading Benkoil's article about augmented reality led me to make connections to the novel we read by Jenkin's and Gibson's Neuromancer. The example of AR by John Mayer, whose site uses the fan's web cam to incorporate them into his music video, reminded me of how lovemarks and emotional capital play an increasing role in how artists, business, and others engage with consumers. Mayer used new technology to create a new avenue for connecting with his followers. After viewing this video about the U.S. Postal Service shipping box simulator, I couldn't help but think of Neuromancer. Much like Molly and her inset lenses, the user's reality is enhanced (augmented) by technology. Case, on the other hand, did most of his "living" not in reality, but rather through his virtual existence as part of the matrix. I think augmented reality offers a sustainable medium between technology and actual existence, between living in reality like Molly or living in a virtual reality like Case. Augmented reality can greatly improve our lives and, rather than overwriting or replacing it, fundamentally relies on real life and preserves the central role of experiencing the real world. Would you agree or disagree that augmented versus virtual reality is a safer route for technological development when it comes to keeping us grounded in real life?