On objects:
I am opposed to a central registry of objects. I believe there will be an
enormous trade in objects (like there is in files/sound samples/clipart now)
and these objects can be freely distributed, sold on CD, or net-accessed.
The objects should also contain behavior as well as appearance. For example,
I may choose to cast myself as a purple talking alligator who says "Ouch!"
when kicked. All this can be self contained (inanimate objects are even
easier), and can be downloaded to you if you wanted to "meet" me in VR,
as well as cached. A user can cache as many objects as they want, or their
system can hold.
In fact, as someone else pointed out, movies can be built as plays with
characters and sets. The VR environment can be distributed and played out
with far less bandwidth than the movie, and additionally it can be made
interactive by built-in behaviors.
-- Gene Chalfant
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, CA