Literacy in Digility: Bio-Sensing in Virtual Space & Cybertherapy

[Randy Eady]

At present, spatial sound is rapidly gaining broader recognition as our media are moving towards 3-dimensional representations using virtual reality, augmented reality or 360-video technologies.  The coming-of-age of a creative discipline opening up ways of expressing and communicating with sound that were not possible before.  Sound is being represented spatially ever more accurately with evolving technologies that takes us beyond a mere reproduction of familiar acoustic reality.

What's the big deal here?

Spatial sound blending wi/bio-sensing of brainwaves, heart-rate variability, and galvanic skin response creates a personal therapeutic of light~sound...

Sounds processed in this way engage frequencies in our brain so acoustics influences expanded perception (much like creating light that feels like water flowing over your fingertips). In 4D, music can feels like it's lighting up "inside & around" you in a spherical-surround way. Perceiving the angle and height of sound helps our brain symbolize (and materialize) our internal metaphysical space.

Research suggests these findings could be helpful in the design of technologies involving extended virtual reality (augmented/mixed) and enhance balance and movement process as well as neuro-rehab therapy. 

Spatial sound can inform us about how we relate as human beings to our environment. It also tells us something essential about the inner workings of our perception and consciousness.

For example, in Episode #10 of Orville (Firestorm)... the central topics of phobias, anxiety & fear were addressed in a rather unique way...

The writers made a significant effort to demystify any "fuzz of woolliness" around the Virtual Reality Experience (VRE) and centralized its as the theme while juxataposing its relevance (and a tendency to characterize VR in mere gaming terms ) to offer an imprtant therapeutic message of healing trauma.

With Mental Health Insurers Still Skimping On Mental Health Coverage ( https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/11/29/567264925/health-insurers-are-still-skimping-on-mental-health-coverage ) and suicide ratesin the USA  at epidemic proportion in younger and younger populations acccording t...

In looking to the future, there's a vast need for more research, understanding & collaboration between game developers, those who "know the psych of trauma", those "in the know" on bio-physiology of these technological advances and, significantly, therapists that can integrate these elements into workable protocols...

[Randy Eady]

​While no single cause is apparent for the increase, a prevalence of social media and cyberbullying are underscored as key factors.