No VR for me

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tao  •  1 Jul 2022   •    
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I am still in the rabbit hole of watching videos about the Meta Quest 2 VR headset, veering between really wanting one and thinking it is a stupid idea. It is my birthday tomorrow and I won’t be getting one, even as a surprise, as no-one else knows I am interested apart from me (and you dear reader, of course).

After some cross words with my wife whilst we were out running earlier in the week, I decided there and then that I didn’t want one. I admit that the annoyance it caused her by me running an extra part of our route ahead of her (because I am much faster) when she wanted me to hand her our water bottle was probably quite petty in the scheme of things. I am very easy going, absorbing and deflecting most situations like this that married couples have all the time, but something clicked in me this time and I emotionally shut-up-shop.

I know that it is part of my depression why I act this way, but one of the side-effects of situations like these is that I want to disassociate myself from my own life. I don’t want anything, no house, no possessions, just to lay quietly in a cold muddy field and go to sleep. I once had a friend who suffered from depression like this and he would often hit rock bottom, selling all of his stuff until he had nothing left. Unbeknownst to me at the time, this was a sign of possible suicide, not that he went through with it. I got a nice new TV out of it though.

I made the decision there and then as we rested against a wall mid-run that I wasn’t going to spend £400 on a Quest 2 VR headset for my birthday. It just wasn’t worth it. I’m not worth it.

In fact, I didn’t want anything at all apart from a card - at the very most! That night, after we had eaten dinner and were sitting absent-mindedly watching TV and scrolling our phones, I thought to myself “Would I really get up now and do some VR?” and the answer was a resounding “no”. I would feel awkward and stupid, like I was doing something a grown up shouldn’t do - that it would be a waste of my time and annoy everyone else.

I mentally shelved any ideas of VR.

After a few days I gave in on the birthday present front and agreed to get a new belt to hold my phone and keys whilst I am running. It’s way less than 10% of the cost of a VR headset and ultimately more useful. Plus it replaces my old running belt, which has seen better days - so its a one in, one out situation which I like the feel of.

Has this decision stopped me from watching YouTube videos on VR? Hell no. Their algorithm has me now and keep serving me up treats to keep me hooked into the subject. I even watched a long documentary about VR Chat and the bad things that happen in there. Not sure I would be into the social aspects of VR too much, especially as it is full of young kinds dressed as Anime avatars.

But, I added “Quest 2” to my list of possible Christmas presents that I have in Google Keep, adding ideas throughout the year as I think of things for people. So you never know, Santa might bring me one anyway, even though I don’t really want one … honest

Comments

Well, I’m glad you got a modest and practical gift. Had I thought as much as you about the Oculus, I may not have purchased it. Maybe you’ll finally be ready when  releases its long-awaited VR offering.

therealbrandonwilson  •  1 Jul 2022, 4:04 pm

But I just got £200 birthday money, so I am considering one again! Plus, the Apple version will be very expensive no doubt.

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tao  •  2 Jul 2022, 11:08 am

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