The virtual reality industry has grown considerably since the first full-sized sets hit the market several years ago, and not just in the gaming realm.
Virtual reality is used today in the medical field (good the first results of its use as anesthesia), in the real estate sector and there is even a VR helmet for agri-food purposes. The VR cow, gentlemen.
Like any "young" technology looking for its dimension, some uses are stranger than others. There was no need to wait for this recent experiment conducted by Russian farmers in Moscow to know, but this is a nice confirmation.
Virtual reality, special milk
During the experiment, which is still ongoing, the farmers equipped their cows with a special VR helmet in the hope of improving the general "emotional state of mind" of their herd.
A bit like the evolved version of listening to Mozart, which in the past has proven to have an effect on cows.
Away that bad winter: welcome, good weather.
The farmers collaborated with virtual reality developers and veterinarians to simulate the environment of a believable (for cows) virtual spring meadow.
The results? At first glance promising: the behavior of the 'VR cow' certainly seems to improve, and experts note "a general reduction in anxiety" among the animals.
Once this first phase, which I would define as "empirical", has been overcome, farmers will have the opportunity to offer their livestock a much more advanced simulation.
VR helmet for cows: ethical doubts at all levels
The ethics of this experiment are certainly questionable. On balance even unsolicited listening to Mozart could be considered a magnificent form of torture, but here we exceed the levels of pervasiveness. We're talking about cows sent into the Matrix with a VR helmet to make more milk. If you put men instead of cows you have remade the Wachowski sisters, “paro paro”.
But it must also be said that trying to improve the emotional well-being of farm animals is an almost indispensable measure given the living conditions to which they are subjected.
Many farms around the world are more like factories or lagers, and livestock sometimes experience nightmarish conditions. Again Lana and Lilly Wachowski, this time in the basement of Pope Song told in that underrated masterpiece that is Cloud Atlas.
What do you think?
Is virtualizing reality better than fighting to improve it? Do you have moral problems with this experiment or do you think it's a good idea?
