Virtual Office

Many people in our office have been working from home, just like more other work places.  A few come to the office often, others rarely.  Some of them I have not seen face to face for weeks, if not months.  The office continues to function, busy as ever.  Work is being done.  Classes continue to be conducted, online. Projects are being conducted, or being planned.  Research is being done, and papers are published.  We communicate through email, WhatsApp, phone calls, meetings online, …  Yet we all know we are missing a lot.  We cannot simply walk across the aisle or drop into people’s office for a quick question, or briefly chat.  There is no more serendipity.  One cannot pick up gossip easily.  One feels isolated, disconnected.  Many things take longer to arrange.  

In the mean time, we have been creating virtual worlds for teaching, conferences, exhibitions, and more.  Someone recently created a virtual world for our office.  At first, it was just a simple layout of rooms and desks.  Each person is invited to create an avatar.    When your avatar is near another, you can hear each other and chat.  If you turn on your camera, you can see each other and do more.  Some start decorating their space.  In just a few days, simple desks become elaborate habitats.  People start moving around and chatting.  Meetings move to the virtual office from other platforms.  The office feels much more alive.  Physically most people are still working from home.  But it seems that just seeing others as avatars brings people much closer.  

It is difficult to predict how it will turn out.  But technology keeps surprising us.  Very often the technology is developed for one purpose, but one can use it for another.  Others can further develop further technology for better functioning.  One thing leads to another.  And it can develop into a virtuous cycle.  

Technology is a powerful tool for change.  Those who have the access and are savvy with it can thrive.  Those who do not will suffer.  If we do not wish to see the world becoming more and more unequal and unjust, we have to purposely change it.  Change the way the technology is developed and used.  Change the way the technology is made available.  Change the way people are educated about technology.  Among so many other things.