Neal Stephenson, the author who first used the term “metaverse” in his 1992 novel Snow Crash, has acquired his first NFT.
The artwork, designed by artist Sterling Crispin, was inspired by nature, and 25 percent of the approximately $1,850 from the sale will be donated to the Santa Cruz Nature Conservancy in California.
In response to the sale, Stephenson expressed satisfaction that artists are able to make a living through their creative work.
This move into the world of NFTs by Neal Stephenson, considered the “father of the metaverse” for introducing the term in Snow Crash, is unexpected.
The author, who portrayed a dystopian, hypercapitalist world in his novel, doesn’t comment on the current discussions about the metaverse.
The acquisition of an NFT by Neal Stephenson adds an interesting layer to the evolving landscape of digital art and the metaverse, especially given his pivotal role in popularizing the concept.
Who is Neal Stephenson?
Neal Stephenson is a celebrated American writer known for his works in speculative fiction, science fiction, and cyberpunk. He is widely recognized as a visionary for his ability to predict technological trends.
He is most famous in the tech world for his 1992 novel, Snow Crash. In this book, Stephenson:
- Coined the term “Metaverse” to describe a virtual reality-based successor to the internet.
- Popularized the term “Avatar” in the context of virtual digital identities.
His writing typically blends complex subjects such as mathematics, cryptography, philosophy, and the history of science with high-concept adventure.
