Behold Everyscape, the Web site that is like Google Maps, only better, because it gives a virtual tour of the cities it shows, complete with names and addresses of landmarks, restaurants and shops. It's not everywhere yet, but it very well may be soon. Imagine using this on a GPS-powered, Web-browsing cell phone when trying to find your way in the city. You could know exactly what you pass at every turn. Or, you could take a trip to Paris from your computer screen, or virtually walk from the subway station to a new restaurant so you know your way before you get there. You can even go inside buildings and "look around" from home. Everyscape also has a social-interaction element, where people can chat virtually about the places as they encounter others on the street.
I can see how someone like Postman would fear this kind of technology. How will we learn to interact in real life if we live so much in the virtual world? I think that he could be right, to an extent. If someone opts out of actually experiencing the world and all it has to offer (sounds, smells, tastes) by getting only a virtual picture, there is definitely something missing.
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