Part 2 of a series of speculative virtual reality projects. Illustrations by David Tracy. Also appears in The New Inquiry.

Preparation

Figure 1: The family.

Figure 1: The family.

Figure 2: 3D scanning of the mother.

Figure 2: 3D scanning of the mother.

Figure 3: 3D scanning of the father.

Figure 3: 3D scanning of the father.

Figure 4: The mother and father are captured in virtual space.

Figure 4: The mother and father are captured in virtual space.

Figure 5: The user enters Oculus Oedipus.

Figure 5: The user enters Oculus Oedipus.

Figure 6: “I’m really looking forward to this experience.”

Figure 6: “I’m really looking forward to this experience.”

Stage 1: Father

Figure 7: A conflict on the road.

Figure 7: A conflict on the road.

Figure 8: The user murders the virtual father.

Figure 8: The user murders the virtual father.

Figure 9: The user reflects on his experience thus far.

Figure 9: The user reflects on his experience thus far.

Stage 2: Sphinx

Figure 10: The riddle of the Sphinx.

Figure 10: The riddle of the Sphinx.

Figure 11: The user offers a response.

Figure 11: The user offers a response.

Figure 12: The Sphinx is defeated.

Figure 12: The Sphinx is defeated.

Stage 3: Mother

Figure 13: The user seduces the virtual mother.

Figure 13: The user seduces the virtual mother.

Figure 14: Consummation part one.

Figure 14: Consummation part one.

Figure 15: Consummation continues.

Figure 15: Consummation continues.

Figure 16: A more robust fantasy.

Figure 16: A more robust fantasy.

Figure 17: Climax

Figure 17: Climax

Figure 18: The user is permanently blinded. The experience is concluded.

Figure 18: The user is permanently blinded. The experience is concluded.

Postscript

Figure 19: The blinded user wanders the world.

Figure 19: The blinded user wanders the world.