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The Metaverse—The Next Big Thing

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The Metaverse, or Earth 2.0

Does life seem too much? Do you need a break, and want to escape into an alternate reality? You may just get your chance. Big Tech companies like Facebook have set aside nearly 20% of their workers for a new endeavor. Facebook is focusing on creating a world built in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Their trajectory is clear after acquiring BigBox VR and the Crayta developer, Unit 2 Games. They’re building Earth 2.0. The digital version, the Metaverse, could be the escape everyone wants.

Wthat is the Metaverse? 

The Metaverse is literally the creation as seen in the movie Ready Player One. It takes our now flawed communication (socializing side-by-side with faces glued to our phones) and moves it into a more human like platform. We will see each other face to face through the lens of VR glasses. We will be able to communicate and socialize more naturally with body language.

But that’s not all. Metaverse will be more than a place to escape and play games. Tech companies will include everything it takes to have a social experience, from entertainment to work. With a digital reality, the possibilities are endless. Life will no longer be bound by limits. Work could no longer feel like a prison. Distance will be eliminated too. 

Is this a fly by night idea?

Normally these large ideas come and go. “However, there is a huge amount of excitement about the metaverse among wealthy investors and big tech firms. And no-one wants to be left behind if it turns out to be the future of the internet” (bbc.com). The world seems to be coming together, and patience and responsibility are key words at the table. Facebook has even invested $50 million dollars. They’ve created a non-profit research fund called XR program. Over two years they will collaborate across the board. Industry partners, civil rights groups, governments, and academic institutions will all come tot he table to lay the groundwork and rules. (Now if only we could have the same gusto for saving the planet.) This expected 10–15-year endeavor will require a global collaboration.

  • The Organization of American States
  • Africa No Filter, 
  • Electric South
  • Imisi3D
  • Women In Immersive Tech
  • Seoul National University
  • The University of Hong Kong
  • The Center for Technology
  • Robotics
  • Artificial intelligence & the Law as the Faulty of Law
  • National University of Singapore
  • Howard University

Eureka! Metaverse Will Unite the World

The success of this dream requires the ability for different platforms to work together across services and with different companies. Even though money is the motivating force, unity through technology is the aim. Responsibility is front and center. The dangers and pitfalls our society has now are being tackled by people from all over the world. This new world will be inclusive to all and offer opportunity. It literally will be empowering and equalizing. In order to reach such high hopes, the key focuses during planning will be integrity and equity. They will address such concerns by looking at economic opportunity, privacy dangers, safety from a global perspective not just one culture.

Why all the effort? Facebook has said, “The “metaverse” is a set of virtual spaces where you can create and explore with other people who aren’t in the same physical space as you.” Eliminating high cost of travel, pandemic isolation and maybe even language barriers and stereotypes. “You’ll be able to hang out with friends, work, play, learn, shop, create and more. It’s not necessarily about spending more time online — it’s about making the time you do spend online more meaningful. If only we could come together like this with funds and cooperation to save the present Earth and reality. 

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