Thoughts on Patrick Herron and the Virtual Peace Projecy

I found Patrick Herron's lecture on simulations and his virtual peace project to be quite interesting. When Herron started talking about how "experience is simulation" and related it mirror neurons, I was drawn in because I have always been very interested in neuroscience as well of some of Ramachandran's work. After drawing this relationship ("experience is simulation"), Herron connected it to the idea the "simulation is reality." Though simulations often are less complex than reality, as Herron mentioned, I believe that simulations are close subsitutes of reality. Some examples Herron discussed inlcude: the army using mechanical horses to simulate riding horses; pilots in training often use flight simulators to practice flying (if you have used a flight simulator, you know that it isn't merely a game...it is far, far more complex); first person shooters (FPS) can be used to train military personnel (and, unfortunately, FPS trained the Kentucky school shooter, who without ever having used a gun, used the weapon with extreme precision). Herron noted that "we learn faster" through simulations rather than learning by other means.
From this point, he transitioned over the Virtual Peace Project. This seems like a very interesting idea because it allows people to practice negotiating and handling a real policy issue in a believable context. When I first heard about virtual peace, I really liked the idea because it combined the idea of virtual worlds with the idea of simulating actual problems (it is easier to see how virtual peace is relevant in our world, as compared to Second Life, where people often walk around aimlessly). The only problem I have with virtual peace is that there is no way that the moticons are proper substitutes for actual emotions and gestures. Anyone learning even the most basic negotiation skills knows that body movement and emotions are as important as the actual dialogue. However, I understand that this project was completed by a small staff with a relatively small budget; and, what they have accomplisheed is quite impressive. In any case, I look forward to using virtual peace in class.