Engineering Technical Communication: Virtual Reality With Reinforcement Learning

Introduction

According to the educational attainment data reported by U. S. (United States of America) Census Bureau, the year 2017 proved to be a monumental year in the history of America. The statistical percentage of U. S. population age 25 years and older that completed high school or higher levels of education reached 90 percent in 2017. In addition, according to internet world stats, a total percentage of 88. 1 % population of North America have access to internet. The facts shows that the economy country progressively relies on technology and science, and is implementing new technologies along with scientific advancements at a magnificent speed. Still, its mass of literate people are not prepared to make well-considered decisions or to contemplate analytically regarding scientific & technological issues. Adults and children alike have a meagre understanding of the prominent effects of internet, how it influences the society, and judgements towards the existence of scientific facts & technology even. Many individuals are not even fully aware of the full potential of technology and science they use every day. In epitome, as a society they are technologically illiterate and act utterly irrational towards science. In addition to this, when we look through the past decisions made by US government in accordance with its citizens, it proves the immaturity of the nation and their irrational behaviour. One such decision made by them was about the “dangerous nuclear decision”. Thereby, questioning the integrity of scientific research & facts and endangering the existence of humankind itself.

Problem Description

Implementing the technique of 5W1H of problem solving, in order to elaborate the problem. This technique includes asking questions regarding the problem, so that a solution can be weaved considering all the parameters.

1. 1) What is problem? - The problem is deeply embedded irrationality & ignorance among the people towards the integrity of scientifically proven facts & utility of a particular technology, engendered in them by untrusted sources of false information.
2. 2) Why the problem needs an urgent solution? - Because these opinions and judgement can bias the decision of people towards their future actions, which not only yield in mental anxiety, but also lead to blindfolding the society from any upcoming threats diagnosed by science or technology. Thereby, risking their own lives, and can even lead to endangering the human species itself. The existence of problems like these could also have sociological & psychological disruptions in the society that will lead to hampering the growth of science & technology.
3. 3) Where does the problem exist? - The existence of this problem could be easily detected in recent census report of citizens of North America. However, the major candidates are the millennials, who happened to have form society and organisation favouring these conspiracy theories, in order to identify themselves a bit ‘different’ from the rational society.
4. 4) Who is affected by the problem? - These are not only diverging the mind of future generation from the thriving towards scientific discoveries & technological innovations, but also inculcating irrational thought process in them. With surge in convoluted & twisted facts, rational people are also having hard time finding the real data. It is also affecting the prominent decisions and laws made by government of the country.
5. 5) When did these problems accelerated? - This problem happens to be actively working in background of big social media platforms, and slowly & steadily destroying the pile of facts and fabricating a fake reality. The role of catalyst in these chain reactions of misinformation and rumours are played by famous celebrities who only desire to draw attention of people, even political parties by using it as their agenda in campaigns & companies profiting from this.
6. 6) How this problem is existing? (its driving factor) - The reason may simply be that even smart people are invested — emotionally, ideologically — in believing the conspiracies, and these people utilize their considerable cognitive skills to persuade themselves that what’s untrue is actually true.

Evidences

In order to prove the evidence of the problem, it requires portrayal of case studies along with factual data, which are presented as below:

1. 1) Flat Earth Society: One-third of American millennials believe “The Earth is Flat”, rest two-third of American population knows the fact that The Earth is spherical. A recent survey is conducted by YouGov between young adults aged 18 to 24 years old. In this 21st century, where science exploration is at fast pace, some groups has formed based on religious and science. YouGov carried out a poll among 8, 215 adults in February 2018 for knowing their idea for shape of Earth and the result was very surprising. They found that just 66% millennials believe that earth is round along with that 4% of American adults firmly believe that the earth is flat, and lastly 14% of people are uncertain. If this group is further divided in the segment by religion, income, political affiliation than more detailed result is obtained. Based on “very religion” prospect 52% adults are firmly believe that Earth is flat shape. If we compare on basis of the gender, female are more than male. Most of them are inspired by conspiracy theories, one of the darkest part of internet. This not only hampers the existence of scientific truthfulness, but also blinds the society from believing in science anymore.
2. 2) Anti-Vaxxers: Out of all the scientific research, vaccination is considered one of the best medical breakthrough in 20th century. It has led to the erasing the name of smallpox & polio globally from the list of disease that exist commonly. In addition, to lean decrease in the morbidity and mortality associated with dangerous infectious diseases. Because of this success, many parents are unaware of the threats and burden that infectious diseases posed for previous generations. This explains that vaccines have become victims of their own success. There is amount of population, who does not believe in this research, which has led to establishment of anti-vaccination leagues in United States. As a result, Anti Vaccination Society of America was established. This is hindering the health missions already achieved by the nation itself.
3. 3) Global Warming is fake: Despite mountains of scientific evidence to the contrary, at least 37% of Americans think that global warming is a hoax, according to a 2015 analysis. These climate change deniers are convinced that the Earth is not warming, and some say that scientists are tweaking evidence to make it appear so.

Possible solution

One of solutions to this problem is building a virtual reality using personalised reinforcement-learning tool. In which, people can experience the reality, where the misconception they believe is actually a fact. In addition, they can also visualize what will happen to them or the world, if they keep ignoring and irrationalizing scientific facts and technological innovations. This virtual reality will be restricted to personalised reinforcement algorithm, which will adapt the reality in the Virtual reality experience-box according to the choices made by an individual using it for learning about the facts. This would not only help to eradicate the existing conspiracy theories, but will also help in prevention of engendering newer false information.