Silicon Valley technicians backed by billions are pushing for a future where humans live inside virtual reality headsets like the Apple Vision Pro, which promises an immersive visual experience inside a $3,499 headset. However, this commercial goal is in deep tension with the flourishing of the human race. Studies show that the less immersive virtual reality created by smartphones and social media is toxic in large doses — to children and adolescents, but to the rest of us, too. Back when Google Glass debuted, where the augmented or virtual reality experience would take humanity toward deepened isolation, depressive solipsism, masturbatory anomie, could be foreseen. Against these blandishments, it’s important to nurture the feelings that have kept the headset market limited so far and appreciate the warnings they’re giving us. The headsets may not go away, and a general social stigma against their everyday use may not stand in the way of them benefiting certain people in certain circumstances, but certain negative aspects have to be considered.
