What is the metaverse? Before answering the question, let's look at the meaning of the word. "Meta" is a Greek term meaning "after, beyond". Metaverse is derived from the English words "meta" and "universe". Metaverse simply means "beyond the universe".
So what exactly does the phrase "metaverse" mean? Metaverse is a collective virtual sharing space created by integrating all digital worlds. In another saying, the metaverse is the name given to the fictional universe in which all digital worlds are placed. Many people think that virtual reality or augmented reality will be used to access the Metaverse that will be built in the future.
Emergence of the term metaverse
The concept of the metaverse was first introduced in Neal Stephenson's novel Snow Crash. The author named Metaverse, a three-dimensional virtual world with avatars of real people. Some video game communities have already created the seeds for meta-universes, like Roblox or Fortnite.
The latest example of the Metaverse universe is Ernest Cline's 2018 book Ready Player One, which was adapted for the big screen. Stephenson's book Snow Crash and Ernest Cline's novel Ready Player One are considered the most popular reference points for metaverse enthusiasts.
The game called Second Life is similar to the metaverse universe. This game takes place in an internet-based virtual universe. In the game, you can create a personal avatar, interact with people and do the things you do in real life in the virtual universe. The Metaverse universe will be a digital universe similar to this one.
In the Metaverse universe, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies can be used together. We will be able to provide a greater transition of our digital and physical lives: wealth, work, online concerts, entertainment.
What can be created with the metaverse?
For Zuccurberg, Metaverse is a fully developed revolution of the online experience that offers a place where people not only hang out as avatars, but also a place where they can spend most of their online lives. And what can be created with the metaverse?
You may be represented on the website or social media platform by a username or small image. The metaverse universe will enable the use of a customizable avatar that can speak, move or perform animated actions.
Virtual reality technology allows users to see through virtual glasses. This technology also includes behavioral sensors for moving and interacting with virtual objects. So the abstract personal avatar is embodied. Areas such as VRChat now show us in detail what VR avatars can do.
Meta allows users to create their own Metaverse content. Users will be able to create their own virtual worlds. That way, Metaverse developers won't have to spend a lot of time and effort creating something in this universe. You can examine games such as Minecraft and Roblox to get an idea about the structures that can be made in the Metaverse universe.
Placing virtual objects in the metaverse universe is not as simple as letting users do anything. Because if the user is in the Metaverse universe for a commercial purpose, control, moderator and copyright infringement questions can gain great importance here.
VR (Virtual Reality - Virtual Reality) or AR (Augmented Reality - Augmented Reality) glasses are seen as the last step to reach the Metaverse universe. Virtual and augmented reality will surpass the flat screens of our computers. We will be able to travel to a world where we truly feel your presence through a 3D avatar.
When will metaverse come to life?
"Most of these technologies will be fully implemented in the next 10 to 15 years," says Andrew Bosworth, who runs Facebook Reality Labs. He notes that there are many technical barriers to getting a Snow Crash-style virtual universe up and running.
Is the metaverse real at this point?
No, for now. Currently, we do not have a shared metadata store.
The full realization of the metadata store concept will take a long time. It is clear that creating a true metadata repository will require collaboration between leading IT companies.
The Metaverse is about to transform from science fiction to science and technology. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, in an interview with The Verge magazine; "I believe that in the next five years, Facebook users will see us as a metaverse company, not a social media company." said.
Facebook company name was changed to "Meta" which means "metaverse". This, of course, is the Facebook company's move to avoid legal and public relations crises. However, it can also be thought of as an embodiment of change of direction.
Critical and postmodernist approaches to the metaverse
We have mentioned before. Facebook's decision to create a Metaverse raises a number of concerns and problems. For a start, there are concerns about surveillance related to social media, especially virtual reality. These have been challenging companies like Facebook for years. This will certainly get worse with the introduction of new technologies.
Baudrillard's Simulacra and Simulations the metaverse reflects a world in which the lines between the virtual and the real seem blurred. Simulated realities have replaced reality. And if reality merges with simulation once again, it is no longer defined as 'real' but 'hyperreal'. (Baudrillard 1983).
Niantic CEO John Hanke said at the Half Moon Bay conference; "People like Zuckerberg, who are excited about the idea of the metaverse described in Neal Stephenson's science fiction works like Snow Crash, don't get the gist of these books," he said. aforementioned. “As a work of fiction, I am a fan of the metaverse. But if you read the book to the end—I'm not sure everyone who talks about it has read it to the end—you'll realize that the world described is this horrible place."
Summary: Understanding what a metaverse is and its pros and cons
Metaverse blends virtual reality, augmented reality, social media, online gaming and artificial intelligence technologies. It allows users or gamers to create a virtual avatar that is very similar to their real world experience.
Advantages of metaverse
are among the issues.Disadvantages of metaverse
are among the issues.Meta and other companies believe that the concept of the internet as we know it will change drastically in the future. They find the Metaverse universe very appealing to be used for everything from company meetings to shopping and big social gatherings.
So, what do you guys think about Metaverse? You can share your thoughts with me in the Write a Reply section.
