Is virtual, Digital?

This to me is a slightly alien concept. Is virtual digital? And what is the difference between the two?

Virtual; 1. Existing or resulting in essence or effect though not in actual fact, form, or name: the virtual extinction of the buffalo.

2. Existing in the mind, especially as a product of the imagination. Used in literary criticism of a text.

3. Computer Science Created, simulated, or carried on by means of a computer or computer network: virtual conversations in a chatroom.

digital; 1.

a. Relating to, or resembling a digit, especially a finger.

b. Operated or done with the fingers: a digital switch.

c. Having digits.

2. Expressed in discrete numerical form, especially for use by a computer or other electronic device: digital information.

3. Electronics

a. Relating to or being a device that can generate, record, process, receive, transmit, or display information that is represented in discrete numerical form.

b. Relating to or being a service that provides information expressed in discrete numerical form: We subscribe to digital cable.

4. Relating to or being a profession or activity that is performed using digital devices: a digital librarian; digital photography.

5. Using or giving a reading in digits: a digital clock.

6. Characterized by widespread use of computers: living in the digital age.

n.

We live in the digital age where i feel that through the medium of virtual we are pushing the boundaries of possible. Does that make sense to you? ill explain in wall-o-text format just in case.

'We live in a digital age'

Previous 'ages' of man have been easier to understand because of the more linear title we gave them. The age of steam for example was the advent of combustion engines to power machinery that aided humans in their tasks, be it a train or a textile mill. In the digital age, the enhancement to our lives is that of the way in which we exchange information and the tools which we use to do it. The digital age has spawned such great inventions such as file sharing, the ipod and (begrudgingly....) windows operating systems.

'Through the medium of virtual'

And not because the medium of dance was too energetic. Leonardo Da Vinci many many years ago sat down and through the power of his imagination, sketched his idea's for a flying machine. However if he was alive today, im fairly sure he'd be using computer aided design to 'realise' his dream of the first intergalactic passenger transportation ship or moon colony. Virtual puts a bit of flesh and bone to our imagination. It takes the improbable and then tries to say we can do it now. Virtual worlds, or images or people are now all over the place. It is our way of seeing the world or the future, but may not have any bearing on the true fact of its counter and 'nemesis'... real life.

Hopefully that explains my take on this. Virtual is not digital. Its a delivery method to advancement through imagination. But we can still learn f rom it and it can be manipulated to tell important and thought provoking stories. See the video below.