JoannaDark Posted July 30, 2007 it would be pretty pointless doing research into something without any foundation in reality, wouldn't it? no one is saying that the valley is indisputable. it's just a handy marker of where we are in terms of progress towards photorealism. having said that there is a lot of evolutionary psychology evidence to support the idea of an uncanny valley. my research is about how humans can perceive the difference between a real human and a virtual human, with a view to closing the gap. but its like everything else in psychology, it's not absolute. and for doubting my credentials, you're not getting the pokemon stylus! (actually they just wouldn't give me a third one, sorry!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roderick Posted July 30, 2007 I think you misunderstand me. I actually quite like the uncanny valley theory, as I do most nice-sounding scientific theories. I just think it has become tired because a lot of people are throwing it around without proper justification. Any and all academic research I obviously condone: why the hell shouldn't I? It's merely that, as a catch-phrase, it's going the way of 'post-modernism'; becoming a [temporary] cultural cliché. That says nothing about its validity. As for the stylus; too bad Thanks for trying though! Much appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpiderMonkey Posted July 30, 2007 stop it now, you're giving me that nauseous feeling that i'm wasting three years of my life researching this valley when no one cares. No, I think that sounds awesome. I think what it really needs right now is someone to clear out all the folksy bullshit surrounding it. Have you published anything yet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoannaDark Posted July 31, 2007 nope i started my phd three months ago, designing my first study now which is vaguely terrifying. and very not-vaguely terrifying too. phd's suck. i dunno how anyone survives em. my supervisor is very research-active so i'll prob publish this when its done, if its any good. as for the uncanny valley thing, rodi i get you now. like its really annoying when heavy rain is seen as exemplifying uncanny valley when there are computer scientists out there pulling their hair out crying, "we haven't even got to the uncanny valley yet!" we're designing stimuli right now to be used as our virtual condition, and they are quite convincing. they're not even done yet. as stills they're supereffective, but when they start moving it's completely obvious they aren't real. which spoils the effect a little. the psychological justification for the uncanny valley is that the not-quite-realness of the characters evokes the same feelings that we get when we see a corpse, that it's real but not. so as a psychologist i totally believe its real, but as a gamer i don't really see the application. except that maybe when everyone's gotten over their photorealism obsession, they can go back to concentrating on style again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roderick Posted July 31, 2007 except that maybe when everyone's gotten over their photorealism obsession, they can go back to concentrating on style again. Goddamn amen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wrestlevania Posted July 31, 2007 Engaging art styles ft-Suspension-of-Disbelief-w! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nachimir Posted July 30, 2008 Spotted: The man who started this thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaff Posted July 31, 2008 he's everywhere, unavoidable.... argh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nachimir Posted July 31, 2008 He is indeed. It's about the 12th time I've spotted him. (and my thanks to Spaff, for posing as if I was photographing him instead ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
