Select a specific digital technology and analyse its interaction with human somatic practices and the concept of temporality. How do embodied perception and somatic engagement with this technology influence and are influenced by temporal experiences? Critically evaluate the implications of these interactions for the ethical development and application of the chosen technology.
The rapid development of digital technologies has transformed many aspects of human life, including how we perceive and interact with time, space, and our own bodies. Among these, Virtual Reality (VR) stands out as one of the most profound technologies, blurring the boundaries between the physical world and digital environments. As a highly immersive digital medium, VR reconfigures how individuals experience somatic practices—those bodily engagements that involve physical, emotional, and cognitive awareness—and temporality—the subjective experience of time. Through VR, users can engage in a variety of activities that include exercise, rehabilitation, entertainment, and even mindfulness, all while experiencing time in ways that differ from traditional, linear experiences.
This paper will analyze VR’s interaction with human somatic practices and temporality, emphasizing how embodied perception and somatic engagement with VR influence, and are influenced by, temporal experiences. The relationship between embodiment and time is deeply rooted in human cognition, and the advent of VR technologies forces a rethinking of traditional temporal experiences. Additionally, this paper will critically evaluate the ethical implications of VR in relation to the human body and time, including how VR impacts user wellbeing and how its ethical development can ensure beneficial outcomes.
Somatic practices are those that involve an individual’s conscious awareness of their body. They emphasize a holistic approach to physical movement, mental focus, and emotional engagement, fostering a deep connection between the mind and body. Examples of somatic practices include yoga, tai chi, dance, athletic training, and mindfulness meditation. These practices typically involve an intentional focus on the body’s movements, sensations, and emotions, often with an emphasis on the present moment.
In a somatic context, individuals engage in practices that cultivate a heightened awareness of bodily sensations. The interaction between mind and body through somatic practices has been extensively studied in fields such as somatic psychology, embodied cognition, and phenomenology (Sheets-Johnstone, 2011). Embodiment theory argues that bodily experiences are central to our perception of the world, influencing how we engage with and interpret our surroundings (Varela, Thompson, & Rosch, 1991). Thus, somatic practices facilitate the cultivation of embodied awareness, where time and space are experienced through the body’s movements and sensations.
Temporality refers to the human experience of time, encompassing both the objective measurement of time and its subjective perception. Time perception is influenced by many factors, including external stimuli (clocks, schedules) and internal states (mood, attention). Human beings engage with time not as a fixed entity, but as a fluid and malleable experience. Theories of time perception suggest that the passage of time is often perceived as elastic, influenced by the individual’s focus and engagement (Eagleman, 2008).
Temporality is also deeply linked to embodiment. As discussed in phenomenology, the experience of time is not solely cognitive but is felt through the body. For instance, during physical exertion, individuals may experience time as stretching or contracting based on their physical engagement and mental state (Casey, 1993). Digital technologies, particularly VR, can radically alter how individuals perceive and interact with time, thus reshaping their somatic practices and temporal experiences.
VR technology involves creating immersive environments that users can interact with using specialized headsets and controllers. These environments are designed to simulate real-world experiences, allowing users to engage in various activities, from gaming to exercise, rehabilitation, and education. Unlike traditional media, VR can replicate physical sensations, creating an embodied experience where users feel as though they are physically present in a different space. This immersion can engage both the mind and body in novel ways, often blurring the lines between real and virtual experiences.
In the context of somatic practices, VR offers a platform for users to engage with their bodies in digital spaces. For example, VR platforms like Supernatural provide users with virtual workouts where they perform physical movements like squats and lunges while navigating through scenic virtual landscapes. Such VR workouts provide the embodied experience of physical movement, combined with the novelty of digital environments. Here, users’ somatic engagement is mediated by technology, yet they are still deeply connected to their bodies through movement.
Moreover, VR can alter the perception of time by providing users with experiences that can feel instantaneous or extended. Studies have shown that immersion in VR can significantly alter users’ perception of time, causing them to underestimate or overestimate how long they have been in a virtual environment (Draper et al., 1998). This time distortion is particularly relevant in somatic practices like VR meditation, where the sense of time may be stretched or compressed based on the depth of immersion.
Embodied perception refers to how individuals process sensory input and bodily feedback. In VR, users rely on various sensory cues (visual, auditory, and sometimes haptic) to engage with the virtual environment. These cues allow the user to move and interact within the VR world as though they are physically present, even though their body remains in the physical world. This creates a disembodied experience in one sense but an embodied experience in another, as the brain is tricked into perceiving the virtual space as real.
For example, in VR meditation or mindfulness practices, the user may sit in a physical space while their virtual avatar engages in breathing exercises in a serene digital environment. The embodiment is not solely physical but also cognitive—users are “embodying” a digital persona in real-time, thus engaging in somatic practices through the virtual medium.
The interaction between embodied engagement and temporality in VR is multifaceted. One of the most striking phenomena in VR is temporal displacement—the sensation of being transported to a different time or place. For example, VR users may experience the sensation of being in a futuristic or historical environment, leading them to perceive time as if they are in a different temporal reality. This spatial-temporal overlap reshapes the subjective experience of time, making it feel as though time is passing differently in the virtual world.
This phenomenon is especially noticeable in VR experiences that involve physical activity. In traditional forms of exercise, individuals may have a linear perception of time, where every minute feels like an ongoing process of effort. In VR, however, immersive experiences can cause users to lose track of time, as they become more deeply engaged in the virtual activity. Studies have shown that users in VR often underestimate the duration of their activity, as immersion in the experience reduces the cognitive load of monitoring time (Cummings & Bailenson, 2016).
Temporal displacement refers to the ability of VR to shift the user’s experience of time. VR environments can simulate different time periods (e.g., experiencing the future or past), and users may lose track of time due to the immersion and physical engagement. Temporal displacement in VR is not limited to the sense of being in a different time period but extends to the subjective experience of how time “feels.” For example, in VR workouts, users often feel as though they’ve been exercising for a shorter period than they actually have because they are engaged in the virtual environment, which distorts their perception of time.
The impact of this on somatic practices can be profound. Time dilation in VR workouts or rehabilitation exercises can lead to more efficient sessions, as users may engage in longer periods of physical activity without feeling fatigued by the passage of time. However, this alteration in temporal perception also raises concerns about the potential for overuse or addiction, especially when users fail to monitor their physical limits due to the distortion of time.
The interaction between somatic practices, VR, and temporality raises significant ethical questions. One concern is the potential for VR to lead to disembodied experiences that prioritize technological immersion over authentic human connection. The blurring of the lines between the physical and virtual worlds may contribute to a sense of detachment from one’s physical body, which could lead to psychological and emotional consequences. This is particularly concerning in VR environments designed for therapeutic or fitness purposes, where users may become excessively reliant on the virtual environment.
Furthermore, VR's ability to alter temporal experiences can have both positive and negative implications for mental health. For example, in VR meditation, users may feel a sense of time stretching, leading to a more profound experience of mindfulness. On the other hand, excessive immersion in virtual environments could disrupt normal time perception, contributing to mental disorientation or time-loss experiences.
The ethical development of VR technologies must address concerns related to over-immersion, accessibility, and the potential for misuse. Developers must prioritize creating experiences that respect the user's embodied awareness and temporal perception, ensuring that users are not disoriented or overwhelmed by time distortions. Additionally, VR experiences should be designed to encourage mindful engagement, allowing users to retain a sense of agency over their own bodies and time perception.
Moreover, VR technology must be developed with inclusivity in mind. As VR technologies become more accessible, it is crucial to ensure that they are available to diverse populations, especially those in marginalized or underserved communities. Developers should consider the ethical implications of VR on different age groups, socioeconomic backgrounds, and physical abilities, ensuring that these technologies enhance rather than diminish users’ experiences.
Virtual Reality represents a profound intersection of digital technology, human somatic practices, and the experience of temporality. By altering how users engage with their bodies and perceive time, VR offers new opportunities for enhancing somatic practices, from exercise to mindfulness. However, the immersive and transformative nature of VR also raises critical ethical questions regarding the development and application of these technologies. Developers must ensure that VR experiences are designed with respect for the human body’s natural rhythms and time perception, fostering wellbeing rather than disorientation or dependency. The future of VR, when ethically developed and applied, holds the potential to revolutionize how we understand and experience time, embodiment, and digital engagement.
Copyright © 2012 - 2025 Apaxresearchers - All Rights Reserved.