[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYGaPPhqpdE&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
http://www.infinitereality.org/

You guys have to read this book (I listened to the audio-book from Audible). This is an amazing study of virtual reality and its effect on the mind. The book is not really about VR technology, although it does mention hardware as a prerequisite for discussing applications of that technology. However most of the book is concerned with scientific studies done on or in VR and how it effects the mind, changes social perception, and things like that. A good portion of the studies discuss the use of avatars, and how wearing particular avatars, or interacting with particular avatars can change perception about a situation. Also studies involve the use of agents (AI controlled avatars) and how people's response and reaction differs depending on whether they believe they are interacting with a human or AI controlled avatars. Another study focuses on VR for education use, and shows specific ways a virtual classroom can be constructed in order to maximize learning. All very interesting stuff, and backed by real science. A great read for anyone interested in VR.

Sounds intresting, but I think I'll wait. A paper copy is no use to me, and a digital copy costs more! Outrageous. Very much the opposite of where this tech is leading us. Perhaps it would class as fair use if you posted a review with a couple of mp3 samples?

I feel like I am hijacking, but that is not my intention.
This might be of interest.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night%27s_Dawn_Trilogy
Kinda long-winded, but some intresting stuff about what vr/neural implant tech may lead us to.

Nice, I'll check this up.
By the way, if you are looking for good technical reading about VR, check these two books:
3D User Interfaces: Theory and Practice

http://www.amazon.com/3D-User-Interfaces-Theory-Practice/dp/0201758679/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309354198&sr=8-1
This is really a Bible for a 3DUI, very good technical reading. Authors (3DUI, VR and AR practitioners) actually make a huge step in standardizing all available knowledge about 3D User Interfaces.

Another great book:
Understanding Virtual Reality: Interface, Application, and Design


http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Virtual-Reality-Interface-Application/dp/1558603530/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309354442&sr=1-1

Maybe a little less technical, but comprehensive overview about history of VR, it's role as informational media and with good descriptions of some real life VR apps.

I read Infinite Reality, and agree, it's a must read. I read up on the papers behind it while I was waiting for it to come out, but especially for people that haven't been fully immersed, it's very very good. Also lots of issues are covered and cool things like the Proteus Effect.

Get it, read it, lend it to SO and friends.

Also related, I'm reading "Garage Virtual Reality" by Linda Jacobsen (which PalmerTech recommended, thanks man!). I'm about halfway through reading, and it is very interesting. Its from '93, so it very much has the spirit of when VR was at its heydays. Most of the talk is about hacking the Power Glove, and stuff like that. Its just so fun to read when the author makes recommendations for a "reality engine" (a computer) and its simply comedy gold. Things like recommending at least 4MB of RAM, which was considered high-end at the time. Talking about getting 7FPS with a few hundred flat-shaded polygons and things like that (again, state of the art for consumer hardware back then). Really makes you appreciate the kind of hardware we take for granted today. But sadly with all this amazing hardware, the software has not advanced since DOOM came out. Another interesting thing is how stereo 3D glasses were available back then, even when monitors were running at 320x200 w/ 256 colors. But they had 3D.