What do a family in France, an art fair in New York City, and a road trip to Buffalo have in common? They’re all part of the story of the Ghent-Bruges Book of Hours, a 500-year-old manuscript jointly acquired by the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) and River Campus Libraries (RCL) in 2024. We’re peeling back the curtain on how exactly one acquires a medieval manuscript. Spoiler alert: it’s not quick or easy. 

Identifying the Manuscript

The University of Rochester (UR) has a strong reputation for research, but you might be surprised to learn that it extends beyond STEM to humanities and social sciences as well. No matter the major, undergraduates are able to get involved in research opportunities that satiate their curiosity.

Close your eyes and imagine yourself going toe to toe with a fire breathing dragon. That would be quite the extraordinary rush of adrenaline; beyond anything you have ever experienced I would imagine. Transporting yourself into this fantastical world would be quite the encounter.

In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has been captivating the public's imagination. It redefined entertainment, communication, and even education by transporting users into fully immersive digital environments. But as technology advances many want to keep pushing the boundaries of virtual reality. This is done to a point where now some people are discussing the ideas of a realistic new world inside of your VR; where you can make connections, enjoy social networks, and have real world experiences.

(The image to the left is an AI generated image generated by DeepAI. If you believe this question is so unrealistic it’s pointless to discuss, try to imagine what you would think if someone told you that this kind of AI Generation was possible 30 years ago.)

We all heard the phrase, “Once upon a time ….”, whether it’s through listening to others in films, reading a book, or presenting in front of a class, we come across different ways of storytelling. It has always been a tool for understanding others, sharing experiences, and knowledge, and building empathy. Virtual Reality, among the latest technologies, bridges the gap between seeing and listening to living a tale. Despite the availability of this technology that makes us see things through a different lens, could it spark more compassion and awareness in society?

With virtual reality’s ever-advancing market, an uncertain future lies ahead of us. Immersive virtual technology continues to make gigantic strides in almost every industry imaginable and leaves the public with a very disconcerting question: will virtual reality (VR) be able to usurp our own reality in the near future? This specific question has been on the minds of many, including myself, as we continue to innovate our technology. However, VR, at its current state, is far from replicating the depth and complexity of real-life reality and may never even come close.

Why aren't Pet Robot and VR headsets used to reduce the loneliness epidemic among the elderly? According to the research on PEW Research Center by Ausbel, J.

Whether it be dressing up a look-alike American Girl Doll or designing a Mii on Nintendo, recreating ourselves in different mediums is entertaining. However, whenever I’ve created my own character, it never ends up looking like an exact replica of myself. I’ve found that this is not an indication of a lack of craftiness on my end or design options in my chosen medium, but rather a manifestation of the empowerment that comes with being able to design a character that resonates with my identity—even if it calls for a divergence from my physical appearance.