What the hell is the Metaverse?

January 1, 1984

Can you remember a time when you didn’t use the internet? Even if only for a day?

Just about anyone reading this would say no. That’s because the internet has been a major part of our lives for so long that thinking about a time where we didn’t use it is almost unfathomable. So, it’s amazing to think that it is less than 50 years old. However, despite its fairly recent conception, it has changed humanity on a massive scale and influenced the way we live and how we see reality. 

Looking to the present, the internet has become a second universe. A place where people can recreate themselves and therefor, express who they are in a way that wasn’t conceivable a century ago. We’ve seen the rise of social media and gaming platforms, as well as the emergence of things like artificial intelligence and virtual worlds. These technologies have only grown in prominence and have given way to new possibilities in our everyday life.

4th World Problems

With all these advancements, one that has caught the attention of major figures in the tech world and business world alike is the metaverse. Loosely defined, the metaverse is a virtual world that resembles the physical one we live in now. Using decentralized systems such as cryptocurrencies, users are able to convert cash to spend on digital assets and experiences. The keyword here is “experiences”. Imagine going to Rome, London and Japan all in the same day. Or being able to hang out with your friends without ever leaving home. These are the experiences that companies like the Decentraland Foundation and Sandbox VR are working to make happen. In fact, they are already bringing these things to life.

Virtual realities present a lot of opportunities that are evident when you consider the ever expanding possibilities. The question is, are there any potential problems that we should try to foresee?

When the internet was created it was hard to forecast how it would play out. Now, almost 50 years later, we can see the impact it had, both positive and negative. How you see it’s impact is subjective to how you use the internet, however, it’s worth noting that the metaverse will likely be nothing more than just an extension of what we have already come to know. 

The question is, now that it’s here, what will we make it?