Discovering Humanity in the Virtual: Syrmor’s Gonzo Journalism in SocialVR
2:30-2:50 pm
Conference Room (CR1)
CONFERENCE OR VIP PASS
Discovering Humanity in the Virtual: Syrmor’s Gonzo Journalism in SocialVR
In the past year, Syrmor has made a name for himself as an embedded journalist in VRChat, unearthing intimate, personal stories from users across the globe. This fireside chat will dig into these experiences and take a look at his exciting new initiative using VR in criminal justice.
Syrmor Shiraz | VR YouTuber
Amassing more than a half-million YouTube subscribers, Syrmor spends his time in virtual reality humanizing avatars with the stories of the people behind them. A cute little bird talks about their time in the Korean military, while a teenage boy using a Kermit the Frog skin opens up about being bullied in highschool. His videos showcase the unique opportunity VR gives us to connect with each other.
Jesse Damiani | Deputy Director of Emerging Technology, Southern New Hampshire University
Jesse is an entrepreneur, advisor, journalist, curator, educator, and public figure in emerging technology. He is Editor-at-Large of VRScout, Series Editor of Best American Experimental Writing, and CEO of Galatea, a screenwriting and project management tool for VR and AR stories. He covers XR, blockchain, AI, art, and media, with work in Adweek, Billboard, Entrepreneur, IndieWire, HuffPost, and Quartz; and syndication in CBS News, The New Digital Storytelling textbook, and REDEF. He was listed as a top global VR influencer in 2017 by Onalytica, was interviewed as an expert source in the AP guide for immersive journalism, and runs “Immersive Writers & Storytellers” and “Blockchain + XR.”
