The definition of ‘virtual’ in the dictionary refers to a presumed existence or subject that is treated as if it does not exist in reality. However, in contemporary usage, ‘virtual’ describes something that cannot be physically sensed by human beings. For instance, ‘virtual currency’ exists in the form of bits, as it cannot be perceived sensibly. Just because you can’t feel it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. In fact, human senses cannot detect the smallest unit of atoms that compose all things, yet that does not negate their existence. If something that does not exist but can exist as a hypothesis is called ‘virtual,’ then it exists in reality as a concept as soon as it is assumed! When something is hypothesized, the entity that is assumed originally did not exist, and the subject who made the assumption had not existed from the beginning, thus proving its existence by expressing the will of that assumption. Therefore, distinguishing between virtual and real holds no ontological signifi...
Design ethics is an essential field of study. You may wonder if ethics play a role in design, but they are crucial, particularly in terms of addiction. Slot machines, for example, are four times more addictive than other gambling games. This heightened addiction is mainly due to the variable rewards these games provide. Some designers view this addiction as a means to increase profits. A classic example is a screen with an infinite scroll function, which can lead to excessive time consumption. This occurs because the game’s rewards are unpredictable, and some designers tie this addiction directly to revenue generation. Therefore, ethical considerations are vital across all domains. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”