THE TRANSFORMATION OF ARAB NARRATIVE FROM ORAL TO VIRTURAL REALITY: A MEDIA ECOLOGY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This project examines the evolution of communication in Arab culture from orality to virtual reality (VR). Through the lens of media ecology, it investigates the development of media technologies, particularly VR, and their influence on Arab storytelling, communication, and cultural identity. Making use of the theoretical perspectives of Marshall McLuhan, Walter J. Ong, and Neil Postman, this project explores the potential of VR to reshape Arab storytelling and cultural expression. The paper further discusses the historical, social, and technological dimensions of VR as a medium with the power to alter human communication and perception. This project surveys the effects of Islam on Arabic literacy and narrative forms as influenced by pre- Islamic poetry, the Quran, and narratives in Arabic. The exploration of media ecology in the context of VR and Arab narrative provides a framework for future research. While aiming to understand the role of virtual reality in shaping Arab narrative, this effort encourages the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies into the tapestry of human communication and cultural expression.