What is the Metaverse

Many people’s imaginations have been piqued by the enigmatic and fascinating idea of the metaverse. Are you also a modern Julio Verne? Everything is conceivable in this enormous digital environment, where we may all collaborate to explore and create.

The metaverse is a notion that you won’t want to miss out on, whether you’re a computer enthusiast, a gamer, or just someone who’s intrigued about the future of the internet. Join Memvers as we explore this fascinating world that is changing quickly.

Image created with Midjourney: “two worlds colliding”

Introduction: What it is and why it matters

Ok, straight to the point (no clickbait strategies allowed on Memvers): What is the Metaverse? The term “metaverse” refers to a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of the real and the virtual.

Let’s keep it as global as that, don’t let any large company get ownership of it. We know that it has become a buzzword in recent years as virtual reality technology and online platforms have advanced and the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds have become increasingly blurred.

Will the technology advance enough so that both digital and physical will get even closer thanks to the metaverse?

 

metaverse

Image created with Midjourney© “a small cozy gaming room design isometric made on unreal engine…”

Is Meta trying to own the word "metaverse"?

Clearly, major corporations are quite interested in the metaverse. One of the biggest issues with the Metaverse’s expansion is the risk that a single entity, like a business or organization, may monopolize the virtual world and steer its development.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been vocal about his ambition to create a “global digital community” through his company’s VR platform, Oculus, and has even trademarked the term “Metaverse”. Critics (and there are many out there) argue that this move could be seen as an attempt to control and dominate the digital universe and that it raises concerns about competition, fairness, and the potential for abuse of power.

What do you think? Will the metaverse be a decentralized place or will it be owned by those who invest to develop it?

But well, at least he is investing the money, so he is actually contributing to the technology that will allow the metaverse to become more and more popular. It will be important for the Metaverse to be developed in a way that promotes competition, innovation, and diversity, in order to avoid the risk of a single entity monopolizing the virtual world.

What are the main concerns in the metaverse?

As the Metaverse continues to develop and grow, there are a number of concerns and challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure its success and sustainability. Many more will appear, but here you have some of the main concerns in the Metaverse today:

 

  • Privacy and security: The increasing amount of personal data and sensitive information being shared in the Metaverse raises concerns about privacy and security. Will there be police in the metaverse? Maybe not with a uniform but there will be security forces who will have to control it. Measures need to be put in place to protect users’ data and prevent cyber attacks and other security breaches.

 

  • Regulation and governance: The lack of clear regulations and governance structures for the Metaverse raises questions about who is responsible for overseeing and enforcing rules and standards in the digital universe.

 

  • Inequality and discrimination: The Metaverse has the potential to perpetuate and amplify existing inequalities and discrimination, if not carefully designed and monitored. Efforts need to be made to ensure that the virtual world is inclusive and accessible to all.

 

  • Technological limitations: The development of the Metaverse is dependent on advances in technology, and there are limits to what can be achieved with current technology. As the Metaverse continues to evolve, it will be important to overcome these technological limitations in order to realize its full potential.

 

  • Ethical considerations: As the Metaverse becomes more integrated with our daily lives, there are ethical considerations that need to be addressed, such as the potential impact on mental health and well-being, and the consequences of blurring the boundaries between virtual and physical reality. And then, how do you know you are not already in a virtual reality?

 

These are just a few examples of the main concerns and challenges facing the development of the Metaverse. As the digital universe continues to grow and evolve, it will be important to address these concerns in order to ensure its success and sustainability.

vr and the metaverse

Image created with Midjourney© “an afroamerican guy playing with VR in the metaverse”

Ok, so what is NOT the Metaverse?

There are a few things that are commonly misunderstood (and pushed to be misunderstood by some companies) as being part of the metaverse. Here are a few examples of what is not the metaverse:

The Metaverse is NOT the same as Virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR). VR and AR experiences that are not persistent or do not allow users to interact with each other in real time. While VR and AR can be an important part of the metaverse, they are not the metaverse itself. Some people will say that the Metaverse without VR is just Second Life.

The Metaverse is NOT Video games or other isolated virtual worlds that do not allow users to connect with each other or the real world. These types of virtual experiences are often referred to as “closed systems,” and they do not meet the criteria of a shared, persistent virtual space. So, can Fornite be considered Metaverse? Difficult controversial question.

The Metaverse is NOT online social media platforms or other websites that do not offer a fully immersive virtual experience. While these platforms may allow users to connect and communicate with each other online, they are not considered part of the metaverse.

It’s also important to note that the metaverse is still a developing concept, and there is ongoing debate about what it will ultimately include. Some experts believe that the metaverse will eventually encompass all aspects of the internet and virtual reality, while others think it will remain a distinct entity.