It's Not the You I Know: Mixed Reality in our Daily Lives

It's not the you I know:

What does it mean to communicate with each other when mixed reality is seamlessly integrated into our daily lives?

Imagine wearing the Apple Vision Pro headset on a first date, as you navigate the uncharted territory of meeting someone new.

Your date mentions that they enjoy birdwatching. The only birds you’ve ever seen are city pigeons, but with the Apple Vision Pro at your disposal, you find yourself saying: “Actually, I love birdwatching too!” and quickly identify an exotic-sounding bird using the search function on your headset.

The reason this Instagram reel by Remy(@remyzeee) is cut short is likely due to a predictable ending where the limitations of the Apple Vision Pro become woefully apparent. However, this funny skit could be a very real preview of how we will navigate love and dating in the not-so-distant future.

Image Credit: Google

This skit prompts the question: what if technology advances to where this Mixed Reality device becomes invisible to others, integrating seamlessly into our daily lives like contact lenses? What if, the moment a person mentions a particular topic, relevant information appears in front of you, creating the illusion of being knowledgeable? I wonder how our relationships with one another would change with this technology at our fingertips.

Image Credit: Netflix / Black Mirror

The boundless potential of Mixed Reality invites us to imagine overcoming all barriers for seamless interaction and conversation. For example, language barriers would no longer create an obstacle to conversations, as we would have the ability to translate in real time.

However, in spite of its benefits, it’s crucial that technology not be employed to disguise our true intentions or fake knowledge in a particular area, therefore reducing our opportunities to share our genuine selves. Our authenticity tends to lose its shine when it passes through the screens of technology. To truly connect and understand one another, we need to be vulnerable with one another and engage in genuine conversations.