Anderson Moles de Matos – May 2016

Social Interaction within 10 years

1 Basic Human Interactions

Since the beginning of times, humanity has had the need

of staying in touch with each other and interacting

It is an intrinsic need of human behavior related to

curiosity, storytelling, and imagination

During many centuries, people could only interact with

each other in person or by sending messages (letters)

that would take days or even months to arrive at its

destination

Many people could not afford or were not literate to write

a letter, so their only way of interacting was in person

2 Fast Development in the 20th century

It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that social

interaction got a boost with the invention of the telephone

and a few decades later the Radio and the Television

By the end of the 20th century, the internet was already widespread,

and many web-based services such as MSN, ICQ, and online chat

brought a revolution to human behavior as to how to

communicate and get closer to other peoples

Mobile phones and pagers appeared in the 90’s and

allowed people to interact almost anywhere at any time,

enabling people to receive updates and news much faster

3 Last 10 years and nowadays

We live the era of ubiquitous computing where technology is everywhere, allowing people to interact and

stay in touch with each other at any time though message, voice or video in HD image resolution

BUT WHAT IS NEXT?

During the last ten years, smartphones and fast internet changed once again the way people interact with each

other, bringing more agility to business and social relationships

“People have now many channels to communicate and express their opinion to people they know, to people they have never met and even to their idols, who may eventually reply.”

Next 10 years

In my opinion, the next ten years interactions will be based on Virtual Realty technology. It will completely change social

experiences, allowing people to interact as if they were in the same place, revolutionizing many areas such as

business meetings, gaming, hangouts and entertainment

4

Online Gaming

Business Meetings

Hangouts Entertainment

VR

4.1

This picture shows what business meeting may become in near

future. Even though all participants were in the same place, they

were all in using VR glasses.

Photo was taken during the Mobile World Congress, where Mark Zuckerberg announced Facebook’s plan to invest in VR.

• Although personal contact is still a crucial aspect in the business world, it consumes valuable resources: time and

money. Besides, it is not in full compliance with sustainable development as it has a direct environmental impact by

the higher emission of CO2 and other gases.

• Virtual reality may change business meetings experiences, allowing people to feel as if they were in the

same place, thus reducing the need for moving, saving time and resources.

Business Meetings

4.2• Entertainment may experience many changes with the evolution of Virtual Reality. It is easy to imagine

people watching concerts and other entertainment events using VR glasses. The 360 cameras are already

widely available and will surely be key to change the way people follow their idols’ concerts and interact with

other enthusiasts.

• Universal Music has recently announced that it will launch Virtual Reality concerts this year, “designed to

connect artists, music fans and brands and sponsors.” 2016 will witness the beginning of this tendency, which

will inevitably face further development during the next years.

360 Video Recording of Sir Paul McCartney's performance at Candlestick Park

Entertainment

4.3• Hanging out with friends and relatives is each time harder because of the distance and lack of time. Virtual

Reality can have a significant role solving this problem, allowing people to feel closer to each other, making

hangouts as real as if people were side by side.

• Some programs, such as Second Life, have recently attracted many people to this new method of social

interaction. However, this type of social relationship should be developed much further during the next few

years using Virtual Reality technology and allowing people to select where they want to meet. For example,

people could choose between many scenarios and activities they would like to do together in a virtual world.

Example of a Second Life environment; This kind of hangout should be further developed during the next few years

Hangouts

• Gaming is maybe the most developed area related to VR. Game enthusiasts around the world can already

play games and communicate in Virtual Reality battle arenas.

• However, during the next few years, Virtual Reality will become increasingly realistic, allowing human

interactions in gaming to become more real.

4.4 Online Gaming

• Many people believe that new technologies may be prejudicial to social interaction, as they private people of having

real relationships, making everything very virtual.

• In my opinion, the development of new social interaction technologies is not prejudicial, and it will bring much

progress to humanity. People only need to learn to deal with new technologies available and to adapt themselves.

• Nowadays, time and information are two important assets; new social interaction technologies will allow people to

optimize those two vital resources and to be in contact in more efficient ways with whom they need, in a world of

growing competitiveness.

5 Conclusion