You betcha. If the history of technology tells us
anything at all, it's the need for an "app". Yes,
a technology evolves and advances sometimes through
sheer accident, but usually its pace and direction is
determined by social will.
So, it seems to me that one cannot separate means
from ends here. There is no use trying to pigeonhole
"artists" and "marketers". No point shunting
off discussions of VR applications to some "vbiz" list,
where the money-grubbers can be safely ignored and disdained.
The way to avoid technological sloth is to try
to understand *what* you want to achieve, and
work backwards from that point.
In other words, choose an "app", and then determine
what tools you will need to make that a reality.
I can think of about two dozen possibilities. The
criteria for a VR "app" are:
1) functional utility
2) ease of access
3) affordability
4) comprehensibility
5) "evolvability"
6) social/political aegis
Which is to say, that whatever you choose, it must do something
that people find useful; that a great many people can do
and understand how to do; that people themselves can improve
over time; and that does not violate written or unwritten laws.
Anyway, one other thought: 25 years is *nothing*. Some
technologies take 100s of years to develop, usually owing
to some retarding factor (such as criteria #3 and #6).
historian@mcimail.com
The opinions expressed herein are those of the author,
and do not reflect those of his employer,
or anyone else for that matter.