CLOSING THE GAP: STORYTELLING IN NONFICTION VIRTUAL REALITY

Abstract

While virtual reality (VR) has long been recognized for its ability to generate a sensation of presence (e.g., the illusion of “being there” in a remote or virtual place), the implications of this illusion merit further consideration. This is especially true in the context of nonfiction storytelling, where VR can lead to what Kate Nash has called “improper distance.” How can we make sure that VR’s ability to create the impression of presence is used to create an ethically sound witness position? The goal of this article is to argue that VR is not wholly incompatible with the ethical aims of mediated forms of witnessing. Specifically, while VR’s penchant for first-person experiences has been criticized, this article demonstrates how different modes of address can be employed to design nonfiction stories that cast the viewer in a more proper witness position.