Dr Sarah Jones10 October 2019

The Future Of Virtual Reality - Dr Sarah Jones - #110

0Frameworks

9Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Myth Buster· 1

Myth Buster05:00

Why Sky News' VR Was a Missed Opportunity

Dr. Jones criticizes early VR journalism efforts like Sky News' 360 migrant crisis report for simply replicating flat-screen reporting in a spherical format without rethinking storytelling for immersion. She argues this lazy approach fails to leverage VR’s true potential.

Sky News filmed the same report in 360 without adapting for immersion.
They didn't consider how being 'on the beach' changes audience perspective.
This mirrors early online journalism that just copied print articles online.
True VR storytelling requires a mindset shift from 'telling' to 'experiencing'.

“It's just really lazy... you just apply old ways of thinking to a new platform.”
Dr. Sarah Jones · 06:00

#vr-journalism#media-critique#360-video#storytelling

Hot Take· 2

Hot Take51:00

VR as an 'Empathy Machine' – Powerful or Dangerous?

Dr. Jones discusses VR's power to change perspectives—citing studies where immersive experiences increased empathy for homelessness and refugees. But she warns this 'brain hacking' potential could be misused without regulation.

VR has been called an 'empathy machine' for its ability to shift viewpoints.
Stanford studies showed immersive experiences changed attitudes more than brochures.
Gender-swapping in VR altered workplace behavior perceptions.
Unregulated, this power could enable subliminal manipulation.

“The technology has been used for all of that... but if that is for the wrong way, how is that monitored?”
Dr. Sarah Jones · 54:00

#vr-ethics#empathy#psychology#regulation

Hot Take48:00

Why Apple Could Dominate VR/AR

Dr. Jones believes Apple won't lead with VR but will dominate AR through seamless integration, much like the iPhone revolutionized smartphones. She praises ARKit and Reality Composer for enabling accessible, engaging AR experiences.

Apple is investing heavily in AR, not VR.
ARKit and Reality Composer allow users to project digital objects into real environments.
Teachers use AR to help kids hold planets or explore solar systems.
Like the iPhone, Apple could deliver the first seamless AR product.

“I think that's where Apple will be... whether they come out with glasses or whatever.”
Dr. Sarah Jones · 49:00

#apple#ar#vr#future-tech

Explainer· 4

Explainer00:30

What Is Immersive Story Living?

Dr. Sarah Jones explains that her work in 'immersive story living' moves beyond traditional storytelling by placing the audience directly into the experience. Instead of being told a story, participants live it through technologies like VR and AR, creating a deeply personal and experiential narrative.

Immersive story living replaces directed narratives with experiential participation.
The audience becomes part of the story rather than a passive viewer.
It leverages VR, AR, and other immersive tech to dissolve the 'barrier of the screen'.
The goal is to create experiences, not just tell stories.

“It's not really a directed narrative... you live it in whatever way you want.”
Dr. Sarah Jones · 01:00

#virtual-reality#storytelling#immersive-tech#ar#vr

Explainer07:00

How to Design for VR Experience

Dr. Jones describes her approach to VR storytelling: starting with the desired experience rather than a storyboard. She emphasizes capturing feelings—like chaos or unease—through techniques like disorienting camera work and sound design.

Start by imagining the experience, not the story.
In Hong Kong's Chungking Mansions, she used jarring edits to convey chaos.
VR removes the frame, allowing viewers to create their own narrative.
She avoids forcing gaze with cues, trusting the audience's experience.

“It's not what is the story I'm trying to tell, it's what is the experience I'm trying to create.”
Dr. Sarah Jones · 09:00

#vr-design#immersive-experience#filmmaking#storytelling

Explainer14:30

Why VR Video Resolution Feels Lower

Dr. Jones explains that even high-resolution 360 cameras (like 5.7K) result in lower perceived quality in VR because the pixels are spread across a full sphere. However, the brain adapts quickly, and immersion outweighs resolution limitations.

360 video spreads pixels all around the viewer, reducing per-area clarity.
Quest headsets max out around 720p–1080p effective resolution.
Despite lower quality, immersion makes the experience compelling.
The brain adjusts within minutes, normalizing the visuals.

“It's never gonna be as good as watching a ultra HD television... but it is getting better.”
Dr. Sarah Jones · 16:00

#vr-tech#resolution#360-video#immersive-tech

Explainer36:00

How Holograms Actually Work

Dr. Jones demystifies holograms, explaining they're projections using light beams—like a CD case trick. She discusses their use in storytelling, such as a Holocaust memorial experience using HoloLens to interact with survivors.

Holograms use projected light, not 3D models in air.
They can be created from old footage or motion capture.
Used in art and memorial experiences for emotional impact.
Microsoft HoloLens enables AR storytelling with projected characters.

“It's like a normal hologram... projecting lights in and creating things.”
Dr. Sarah Jones · 37:00

#holograms#ar#storytelling#tech-explainer

Story· 1

Story57:00

Harassment in Social VR Spaces

Dr. Jones shares alarming data: 60% of users, especially women, report harassment in social VR. She describes the creepiness of avatar interactions and praises 'safety bubbles'—digital personal space shields—as a necessary feature.

60% of social VR users have experienced harassment.
Women are disproportionately targeted.
Early social VR feels like creepy 1990s chat rooms with legless avatars.
Safety bubbles let users block others from their personal space.

“Sixty percent of people felt that they've been harassed in social spaces in VR.”
Dr. Sarah Jones · 57:30

#social-vr#harassment#safety#online-abuse

Tool· 1

Tool21:00

Best VR Experiences to Try Now

Dr. Jones recommends immersive theater experiences like 'War of the Worlds' and 'The Void' over at-home VR. She highlights 'Flight of the Future' for its multi-sensory design and criticizes passive home viewing as underwhelming.

War of the Worlds (London): a 2–3 hour immersive theater experience with actors and VR.
The Void: Disney-owned company creating large-scale VR adventures.
Flight of the Future: British Airways-sponsored experience with wind, scent, and motion.
Social, shared experiences are more impactful than solo headset use.

“It's a proper experience, as if you're going to the theater.”
Dr. Sarah Jones · 22:00

#vr-experiences#the-void#immersive-theater#recommender