Over the past decade, “griefbots” and deepfake avatars have become commonplace, allowing the bereaved to chat with simulations of their dead loved ones.

Virtual reality revives not only the deceased’s image, voice, or way of conversing, but a virtual simulation of their physical selves.

Now, some researchers believe the technology could also help treat prolonged grief disorder, a diagnosis that has been applied to individuals whose grief severely interferes with their daily life for at least a year.

Would this artificial form of psychotherapy eradicate the notion of grief? Is our destiny to become one where we will no longer have emotions organically? Could this be evidence that the digital world is overtaking the spiritual world?

Listen to Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis M-F from 7-10 pm, pacific time on groundzeroplus.com. Call in to the LIVE show at 503-225-0860. #groundzeroplus #clydelewis #griefbots #virtualreality #counseling