The Outer Limits: Virtual Future

Work Title: The Outer Limits: Virtual Future
Medium: TV Episode
Episode Title: Virtual Future
Year: 1995
Writer(s): Shawn Thompson
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No

Summary:

from imdb.com Jack Pierce has taken virtual reality to a new level. His mechanism somehow permits him brief glimpses into what will be - the future. A powerful man will give a lot to know the secrets of the future. As Jack learns more he realizes that his future isn't what he'd hoped it would be... Summary written by CommanderBalok

  • Self-Written?:
  • Source Name: IMDB
  • Source URL:

Era/Year of Portrayal: present_day

Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

present day 1995


Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: virtual reality suit
  • Description of the technology: A virtual reality suit. The wearer stands inside the suit, complete with gloves, goggles, no exposed skin. it is attached to a computer, which monitros the wearers time in the suit. The wearer cannot leave the room; it is attached to the computer system. The viewer sees in virtual reality, infrared. However, the suit somehow allows the wearer to see into the future. How far ahead into the future is contingent upon the amount of power fed into the suit. Also, the suit can transcend space, allowing the wearer to see other places.
  • Nature of task or activity: The wearer is testing the suit - it is a science experiment in a virtual reality lab.
  • Performance of the Technology: It works well, although the abilty to see into the future was unexpected.
  • Description of creator(s): a college age, white, male. He starts as a student but is then hired by a large technology corperation.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): to further science.
  • Description of users of technology: the inventor uses it., and then his boss. A white man in his 60's, CEO of the technology company, very powerful, dangerous, ruthless.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: both
  • Description of presence experience: Strange. Like an out of body experience, observing yourself in the future.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: yes.
  • Valence of experience: at first, the inventor enjoyed knowing the future. Later, it is strange and unpleasant - he sees his own death. the abilty to see the future is enticing, but dangerous.
  • Specific responses: when the amount of power fed into the sut is high, the suit causes painful headaches, and once the user passed out.
Long-term consequences:

happy ending. the inventor realizes the suit will be used for a negative reason, and uses it to stop his boss from murdering others. while doing this, he evades his own death, kills the boss, and destroys the technology.

Other:

Coder name: Amanda Scheiner
Coder email: amandags@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University