Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to rename Facebook, the parent company, as Meta was a move that garnered significant attention.
While the novelty of the name change was widely discussed, the more critical issue lies within Zuckerberg’s vision for the Metaverse and why it warrants our attention.
1.I believe the Metaverse is the next chapter in the internet’s evolution
The concept of Metaverse originated from Neal Stephenson’s dystopian novel “Snow Crash,” where characters sought escape from societal decay by immersing themselves in a ‘metaverse’ to connect and share experiences with others.
The fundamental premise is to transcend mere text-based interactions. Rather than texting friends to meet at a movie theater, we would don virtual reality glasses and experience the movie together virtually.
Although a simplification, the notion of the Metaverse will manifest in myriad ways, some of which Zuckerberg anticipates will be intriguing.
2.Our use of technology is flawed
Zuckerberg points out an inherent flaw in our current tech usage. He expresses concern that our devices, even in 2021, are primarily designed around applications rather than people. He criticizes the limitations on our creative capabilities and the heavy constraints imposed on new creative ideas.
His vision encompasses not just how people use technology, but also how we can break free from restrictive control mechanisms.
3.My dream has always been to connect people we care about
Zuckerberg recounts his high school aspiration to develop products that facilitate a sense of connection with those we care about. He underscores that ‘being present’ differs from ‘feeling present‘. Establishing genuine relationships with those we value holds more importance for him.
This sentiment sheds light on the criticism that platforms like Facebook and Instagram promote virtual relationships at the expense of real-life interactions. In his view, the focus should be on creating technology that fosters interpersonal connections, rather than on how individuals interact with technology.
4.An immersive, all-day experienc
Zuckerberg speaks of the requirement for various technologies like holograms, projectors, processors, and sensors for the Metaverse to function.
He stresses that these tools are to facilitate “immersive experiences all day long,” suggesting a future where we’re engaged in the digital realm more than the physical world.
5.A future with a single pair of glasses
In his Connect keynote, Zuckerberg envisions a future where immersive experiences are accessible through a single pair of glasses. He elaborated on this concept in an interview with Ben Thompson of Stratechery.
He shared a use-case scenario involving an individual discreetly sending text messages during a meeting, indicating the Metaverse’s potential for multitasking without disrupting face-to-face interactions.
In essence, the Metaverse promises to elevate our current internet usage by enabling digital interactions without compromising our engagement with the physical world around us. However, it remains to be seen whether this vision will materialize as promised.
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