25/03/17

The moment the virtual-reality film ended, I sank into my swivel chair stunned. I had spent 15 minutes visiting the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. I watched the priests flit about, blessing the crowds. As I looked around through my high-tech binoculars, every angle offered new detail, and the 360-degree panoramic view gave a remarkable perspective.

For most of the film I found myself looking up. The Temple seemed enormous, soaring high above me, its gold adornments dazzling in the sunlight. Pilgrims moved across the surrounding plaza. It didn’t feel crowded, and the atmosphere was pleasant. In some places people were singing.

I slowly removed the binoculars and headphones and stared around me. The sharp transition from the virtual Temple Mount that I had seen just before to the room’s slightly dim interior was a little cruel. In the virtual world, everyone wore long white robes and walked in sandals or barefoot. In the real world, the guy sitting next to me wore glasses and Crocs, plastic bags on his lap.