The 80+ year old gentleman is convinced the next big thing is virtual reality (VR). During a celebratory dinner we were discussing how things have changed and what is exciting about the future. He was most surprised about the cellular explosion and speed of adoption during his telecommunications career and then discussed today's question regarding the future. The promise of VR has had some fits and starts; however, a twelve year old named Sidra is helping to shake things up through a United Nations film as she gives a tour of her Syrian refugee camp. Movies are limited to a big screen that allows for looking away or seeing the edge of the screen to confirm we are still in the theater seat. VR will enable the ability to get lost in the experience and better engage at an emotional level. Just as any new technology, industries will be shaken for good and bad. I am assuming that gaming and porn will be the early leaders due to technology familiarity and profits, respectively.  I thought tourism would have the biggest negative impact and entertainment having the largest gain. I look forward to the upheaval in education and expect that as a kinesthetic learner, VR could help me master subjects I have struggled to grasp. Technology always offers hope of a better tomorrow and perhaps this gentleman, closing in on a century of life, may have it right.

Who will be the winners and losers? What new industries will be generated? How will VR impact your industry? What is an application of VR that is not in development? How long before VR arrives in your home? What do you foresee as the greatest benefit to you? How would you anticipate using VR in your daily life? How will VR be used for evil? How will VR incorporate the rest of our senses into the experience?