The 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre, where white mobs violently attacked Black residents and businesses, remains a chilling reminder of America’s turbulent past. This history came to life recently at SXSW through an innovative augmented reality (AR) installation experienced via smartphone. Users found themselves on a downtown street corner as a holographic actor portrayed Black journalist Jesse Max Barber recounting the terrifying events in real-time. The immediacy of the experience, something beyond the reach of traditional media like books or film, underscored the power immersive technology holds to transform abstract facts into visceral realities.
We often view technology with apprehension: algorithms fueling outrage, screens dominating our leisure time, and the fear of headsets isolating us further (think “WALL-E”). While these concerns are valid, fixating solely on the potential dangers risks overlooking another side of the story. Immersive media can cut through information overload, slow down our frenetic pace, and forge connections that elude traditional mediums.
Emerging evidence supports this claim. Studies show that participants who navigate 360-degree videos simulating intergroup conflict become less prejudiced towards the opposing side and more receptive to compromise. “The Messy Truth,” a VR series placing viewers within scenarios like racial profiling, was even presented at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Police officers who experienced being pulled over as Black teenagers reported profound shifts in perspective.
These projects hint at how immersive media could become a powerful tool for reclaiming attention and rebuilding fractured relationships in an era of rampant misinformation and societal polarization. Stepping into another person’s shoes—whether it’s a child with ADHD, a farmer in the Himalayas, or even a single-celled organism—transforms abstract issues into personal experiences. In a climate where climate change is reduced to statistics and racism boiled down to slogans, momentarily inhabiting someone else’s life can sow the seeds of empathy and inspire action.
These immersive experiences are not adrenaline rushes; they encourage introspection and active listening. They offer moments of pause in our relentlessly fast-paced world.
Beyond Experimentation: Real-World Impact Needed
To fully realize this potential, we need more than isolated experiments. Institutions, artists, and community organizations must embrace these tools—and do so thoughtfully. This is why Chip Giller co-founded Agog, a philanthropic institute dedicated to leveraging emerging media to cultivate empathy, build connections, and inspire meaningful action. Projects like Kinfolk Tech, which uses AR to reveal hidden Black and Brown histories embedded within public spaces (leading 91% of users to acquire new knowledge), and Electric South’s New Dimensions Lab, empowering African creators in the realm of nonfiction XR, demonstrate the possibilities.
However, many nonprofits still perceive immersive technology as prohibitively expensive or technically challenging. Meanwhile, tech giants are advancing rapidly: Meta’s upcoming Ray-Ban Display glasses, featuring AI-powered screens embedded within stylish frames, signal the imminent arrival of mainstream spatial computing. Apple is also laying the groundwork with its “Liquid Glass” design language, incorporating translucent layers and parallax effects across devices, preparing users for three-dimensional interfaces. If mission-driven organizations fail to engage in this conversation, commercial players will inevitably dictate the terms.
Skepticism is warranted. Immersive media can be manipulated for nefarious purposes—to exert undue influence, fuel addiction, or enable invasive surveillance. It risks passivity or catering to unhealthy impulses if not carefully constructed. The antidote lies in intentionality:
- Reconnect us to reality: Does the experience ground us in tangible realities or distort them into artificial realms?
- Foster empathy: Does it cultivate understanding or exploit suffering for sensationalist effect?
- Expand access: Does it create welcoming pathways for participation or exclude marginalized groups?
Consider new smart glass features like real-time captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals or text-to-speech functionality for the visually impaired. These innovations expand inclusivity, paving the way forward.
As the National Center for Civil and Human Rights Museum reopens in Atlanta, featuring a poignant AR experience commemorating the 1906 Race Massacre, we face a crossroads. Will we view immersive technology as another fleeting entertainment fad, or will we harness its power to reclaim our attention spans, communicate truth more effectively, slow down our relentless pace, and bridge divides that threaten our society? The potential for good is immense. With mindful curiosity and deliberate design, immersive media can help us craft not a dystopian future, but a world where empathy flourishes and connection triumphs over fragmentation.
