And now, it's time for Who Smarted?
Psst.
Hey there, smarty pants.
Trusty narrator here.
And right now I am in the third largest country on Earth, about to take a walk on the longest wall on the planet.
Are you able to figure it out, smarties?
Why, I'm at the Great Wall of China in China.
How cool is that?
But that's not all.
I'm also going to visit the giant pandas in the Beijing Zoo.
Aw, they're so cute.
And now I'm headed to the Forbidden City, which is a palace complex in the center of the imperial city of Beijing.
Wow, China sure is incredible to look at.
But you know what's the most incredible thing about all of this, smarty pants?
I'm not actually here.
I mean, there.
I mean, in China.
I'm actually standing in my bedroom wearing some weird goggles that are connected to my computer.
Any guesses what I'm talking about?
Did you say virtual reality?
That's right.
Thanks to cutting-edge technology called virtual reality, or VR for short, all you or I need to visit anywhere in the world, or the universe for that matter, is a special headset like the one I'm wearing, and some fancy software.
Thanks to VR, you can create sights, sounds, and sensations so realistic you'll swear you're there.
Whoa.
Now, some of you smarty pants may already know what I'm talking about if you play games on Roblox.
Because a lot of those games can be played in virtual reality.
And your adults may know about VR if they've ever taken a virtual tour of a foreign country, like I just did, to decide if they want to go there on vacation.
The tourism business is just one of many industries that have been changed forever by VR technology.
Woohoo!
I'm swimming with dolphins in the Bahamas.
Now I'm visiting the Taj Mahal in India.
Oh, and now I'm outside Buckingham Palace in the UK.
All with the push of a button.
Today, about 170 million people use VR technology.
And over half a billion new VR headsets are expected to be sold by 2025.
So now's the perfect time to learn more about it.
Like, how does virtual reality work?
What was it like when it was first invented?
What else are people using it for?
And what's virtual reality going to look like in the future?
Get ready, smarty pants, because stuff is about to get real.
Or so close to real you won't be able to tell the difference.
It's time for another whiff of history and science on... Who Smarted?
Who's Smarted?
Who's Smart?
Is it you?
Is it me?
Is it science?
Or history?
Listen up, everyone.
We make smarting lots of fun on Who's Smarted?
We'll be right back.
I love that these projects build skills over time.
One month it's learning to design a working bow and arrow, and the next it's building a robot.
And what makes KiwiCo special is that these aren't one-and-done projects.
They're built to last, so kids can play, experiment and keep discovering long after the box is open.
KiwiCo makes it easy to give your child the gift of curiosity and confidence, delivered right to your door.
Tinker, create, innovate.
Get up to 50% off your first crate at KiwiCo.com with promo code SMARTED.
That's K-I-W-I-C-O.com, promo code SMARTED.
When it comes to brand new technology, Smarty Pants I, your humble trusty narrator, am not the hugest expert.
So for our exploration into virtual reality, I've enlisted the aid of my virtual assistant, Iris.
That's Siri backwards, by the way.
Hi, Iris.
Hello, trusty narrator.
How can I be of assistance?
Well, for starters, please tell us your definition of virtual reality.
Virtual reality is the use of computer technology to create a simulated three-dimensional world that a person can interact with and explore while feeling like they're actually in that world.
Smartypants, there's a special word for feeling like you're actually part of a virtual world.
Is that word immersion, implosion, or indoctrination?
The answer is immersion.
Immersion means feeling incredibly absorbed.
I don't know about you, but I definitely get that feeling when I'm playing a video game, even when it's not in virtual reality.
So I can just imagine how absorbed I'd feel if I was.
The goal of virtual reality is to make you forget where you really are.
One way it does that is by letting you interact with your virtual world.
For example, with good virtual reality...
If you see a glass of water on a table, you can walk over, pick it up and bring it to your mouth, just like you're going to drink it.
So, Iris, how does VR water taste?
There is no taste because you are not able to actually drink it.
Technology hasn't gotten that far yet, but perhaps one day.
I've heard virtual reality can cause something called cybersickness.
That doesn't sound good.
What causes cyber sickness, smarty pants?
Is it A, when you see something in virtual reality that you're allergic to in real life?
B, when there's a delay between when you move your eyes and when your virtual reality world changes what you see.
Or C, when you catch a cold from the last person who wore the virtual reality headset?
The answer is B, When there's a delay between when you do something in virtual reality, like walking.
And when you see it happening, you experience something called swimming.
This is what causes a kind of motion sickness known as cyber sickness.
Scientists have found, people will notice a delay even if it's just 50 milliseconds, which is only about half as long as it takes you to blink.
That just shows you how connected your eyes and brain are.
Smarty pants.
True or false?
VR is brand new technology that hasn't been around very long.
The answer, surprisingly, is false.
Iris, how long has VR been around?
Virtual reality has been around for 60 years.
60?
Did you say 60 years?
Yes, 60.
Wait, that means we're talking the 1960s.
How can that be?
There's only one way to find out.
Let's fire up the old teleporter to take us back to the future of technology.
Which is, uh, when exactly, Iris?
1962 should be sufficient.
1962?
Here we come.
Whoa, what's that machine, Iris?
It looks like an old arcade video game.
Behold, the Sensorama.
Who?
This machine, made by Morten Heilig, let people experience movies through four of their five senses.
If you stick your head through the opening in the front, you'll see a movie that makes it look like you're riding a motorcycle through New York City.
Wow, it's kind of like 3D Mario Kart.
The picture's all around me.
It really feels like I'm riding a motorcycle.
But it's not just about what you see and hear.
Take a whiff.
Ew, I smell the exhaust from the bus in front of me.
Ooh, and now I can smell the pizza from the pizzeria I just passed.
What about your sense of touch?
I can feel the wind blowing through my hair. and my seat is bouncing from this bumpy street.
Oh, I'm very impressed, Iris.
This sensorama machine is very realistic.
It was way ahead of its time.
Any chance I can go back to the pizzeria and try the pizza?
No.
The only basic sense you can't sense is taste.
Oh, of course.
We can't even do that with the VR of today.
Anyway, I can see why this would get people excited about virtual reality.
So what came next, Iris?
The first headsets, or head-mounted displays, were invented in the 1960s.
And pretty soon, the biggest users of virtual reality technology were... Any guesses, Smarty Pants?
Here are two hints.
That's one small step for man.
If you said NASA and the military, then you're right.
Hmm, Smarty Pants, what do you think NASA wanted to use virtual reality for?
If you said flight simulators, you're pretty sharp.
What better way to train astronauts to fly the space shuttle than in a virtually identical copy of one?
NASA still uses virtual reality today.
Astronauts can practice controlling a robotic arm through their own movements.
Ooh, sort of like the Wii.
Yes.
One day, scientists may be able to use this technology to operate instruments millions of miles away on Mars.
Wow, I can't wait, Iris.
Actually, there's no reason to wait, trustee.
Virtual reality is already being used in our daily lives.
Really?
For example, did you know doctors can use virtual reality to practice complicated surgeries ahead of time?
No way.
Did you know that, smarty pants?
By making 3D virtual models of a patient's body, they can decide the best way to operate.
And then they can practice the surgery over and over again.
Practice makes perfect.
Iris, where else is VR used?
I'll show you.
Teleport us to a courtroom.
Hey, why are these jurors wearing virtual reality headsets?
Any guesses, Smarty Pants?
I don't think it's to play Roblox games.
They're being shown a crime scene in 3D virtual reality.
This way, they can visualize how things might have happened.
Wow, I can see how that would help jurors make better informed decisions.
Anything else?
Yes.
Here's a hint.
Hmm.
Sounds like a factory.
It is.
An automaking factory, to be precise.
Automakers can build a virtual car before building a real one, so they can see ahead of time what problems they might encounter.
Wow, those are some real smarty pants.
Right, smarty pants?
Of course, that's just what's happening with virtual reality now.
The really exciting thing is what's going to happen next.
That I can tell you, trustee.
Great!
I can't wait to take a tantalizing glimpse of the future of VR right after this quick break.
This show is sponsored by Wayfair.
Okay, so the holidays are coming up fast and I'm already thinking about all the hosting I'm going to be doing.
You know that feeling when you look around your place and realize yeah, we need some upgrades before people start showing up.
So here's the thing.
We just got new chairs from Wayfair, and I'm not exaggerating.
When I see that, like, every single person who's come over has commented on them.
Like, where did you get these level compliments?
These are amazing level compliments.
They look incredible.
They're way more stylish than our old ones.
And honestly, they're so much more comfortable.
I actually want to sit at my dining table now, which is saying something.
And that's the beauty of Wayfair.
They have everything you need to get your home holiday ready.
We're talking holiday decor bedding for the guest room, cookware that'll actually impress people, and furniture like you wouldn't believe.
Plus, delivery is free and super easy.
In fact, Wayfair covers delivery for you even on the big stuff like couches and tables.
So what are you waiting for?
Get organized, get refreshed, get ready for the holidays for way less.
Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.
That's W-A-Y-F-A-I-R.com.
Wayfair.
Every style, every home.
Who Smarted is brought to you by Squarespace.
Now, you know I'm good about creating new adventures and episodes of Who Smarted, but you don't know that I procrastinate on other stuff, like a website for one of our new projects.
Oops.
When the website builder Squarespace reached out about sponsoring Who Smarted, I decided to test it out.
And now I feel silly for putting off building that website.
Squarespace's Blueprint AI thing literally built me a custom website in minutes.
I just told it a few details about the project and boom, it generated everything.
And everything you need is right there.
I can schedule guest interviews, send email campaigns, even sell merch all from one dashboard.
Now it's your turn to stop procrastinating and start building.
You can use Squarespace to launch that business site or any site that you've been dreaming about but putting off today.
There's no excuse anymore, especially since you can head to squarespacecom slash smarted for a free trial.
And when you're ready to launch, you can use code smarted to save 10 on your first purchase of a website or domain.
That's squarespace.com slash smarted.
Code smarted.
Autumn is in full swing and, if your homeschool is anything like the ones I know, fall is a time to get back into routines, while still juggling field trips, co-ops and even prepping for the holidays.
That's where IXL comes in.
It keeps your lessons structured and steady, while giving you the flexibility that homeschool families need.
What I love most about IXL is how personalized it is.
IXL adapts, so kids can move forward when they're ready or revisit a topic until it nearly clicks.
IExcel is an award-winning online learning platform with interactive practice across math, language arts, science and social studies for every grade, from pre-K through 12.
It gives kids the right challenge at the right time, keeps them motivated and gives parents real-time feedback and progress tracking.
Over 15 million students already use IXL and more than 75 research studies prove that it really works.
There's real peace of mind for homeschool parents.
Make an impact on your child's learning and get IXL now.
Who Smarted listeners get an exclusive 20 off IXL membership when you sign up today at ixlcom slash smarted.
That's 20% off at ixl.com slash smarted.
Now back to Who Smarted.
My virtual assistant Iris, has promised to tell us what virtual reality will look like in the future.
Now, Iris, you aren't talking about... I am.
You don't mean... I do.
The Metaverse.
I've heard a lot of people talking about the metaverse these days.
Smarty Pants, what do you think that is?
Don't feel bad if you have no idea, because there really isn't a right or wrong answer.
Yet.
Right, Iris?
That's true.
When most people talk about the metaverse...
They're imagining a huge network of three-dimensional virtual worlds all linked together.
A place where people can meet up, work and play games together.
Kind of like if the internet of today was 3D and you could live inside it.
Whoa.
Or, at the very least, feel like you were living inside it.
Thanks to virtual reality.
Okay, Iris, I think you just blew my mind.
Are you saying that in the future, when I shop online, I'll be able to just walk into a virtual store and try on clothes?
Correct.
Your friends could even join you.
Wow, trustee, that virtual shirt looks virtually good on you.
Or you could just hang out with friends or have a work meeting, with everyone's avatar just sitting around a virtual table.
Ah, there's that word.
Smartypants, what do you think an avatar is?
Besides two of the highest grossing movies of all time, with three more on the way, is it A a high tech pen?
B, a cute robot animal?
Or C, an image you use to represent yourself in cyberspace?
If you said the last one, you're right.
Experts think avatars are going to be everywhere in the metaverse.
Iris, is the metaverse going to be like one big video game like Sims or something else?
Perhaps, but like you said, it's too early to know exactly what the metaverse is going to look like.
That's like trying to guess what the internet would turn into way back in 1985.
Well, either way, I'm excited.
Iris, when is the Metaverse going to be here?
Sorry, trustee, but we're years away from your Metaverse dreams coming true.
There's still much more technology that needs to be worked out.
Plus, while roughly 200 million people have virtual reality headsets, that's only around 2 of the whole world.
Gotcha.
Well, while we're waiting, shall we take another ride in the Sensorama?
Oof, P.U., must be garbage day.
I'm glad I can't smell.
A virtual high five to Wes in Richmond, Ontario.
You told us you love all the good content and the trusty narrator.
Aw, thanks, Wes.
We love having you in our Smarty family.
This episode Virtual Reality was written by Steve Metaverse Melcher and voiced by Jenna Hologram Hoban and Jerry Colbert.
Technical direction and sound design by Josh Headset Han.
Who Smarted? is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room Studios.
Our associate producer is Max Multiverse Kamaski.
The theme song is by Brian Cyber Suarez, with lyrics written and performed by Adam Digital Davis.
Who Smarted? was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert.
This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.
That's StarGlowSurvey.com.
