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Virtual Reality: Sound Effect, Episode 84

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"Virtual Reality Demonstrations" by Gabriel Cristóver Pérez/Knight Center is licensed under CC BY 2.0 http://bit.ly/2el1rtM";

This week on Sound Effect, we bring you stories of virtual reality and what happens when real life meets technology like the internet, video games, and even television.

First Names

As the first generation to come of age on the internet, millennials created emails and social media identities at a time when using your regular name was boring. They opted instead for things like TennisKev or Matrix95. We hit the streets to hear a few of those embarrassing first internet names.

 
Virtual Healing

When done well, virtual reality headsets can be very distracting. Scientists at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center are taking advantage of that to benefit burn patients. While enduring painful treatments, patients are immersed in a virtual snow world with a Paul Simon soundtrack. 

The Forest Song 

Two Redmond-based video-game designers are creating games focused on educating and celebrating cultures we often don’t interact with.Knkx reporter Ariel Van Cleave recently spent some time in their offices in Redmond to talk about their latest venture.

Chasing Unicorns

Many Washington state tech companies are leading the way when it comes to virtual and augmented reality. We hear from audio wizard Scott Colburnabout how he's working to make sure the audio that accompanies these mesmerizing visual experiences doesn't get forgotten.

Homeless On Twitter

Homeless in Seattle, Bill Krayer mostly uses Twitter to escape the dreary streets by chatting with fellow sports and music fans. But when a follower offered real support to get off the streets, it became a lifeline. Sound Effect contributor Sara Lerner shares how Twitter connected two unlikely friends.

Calling 'The Real World'

For several months this summer, Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood became the backdrop of MTV's infamous show, "The Real World." Local artist Derek Erdman tells the story of how the reality TV show disrupted his own reality -- with a phone call. 

Sound Effect is your weekly tour of ideas, inspired by the place we live. The show is hosted by knkx's Jennifer Wing.