The Metaverse has experienced a surge in popularity, with many people becoming interested in its potential. However, amidst all the hype and speculation, the true meaning and value of the Metaverse have been lost. In order to provide a clearer understanding of the Metaverse, we will redefine it as the Metaverse Nexus, a concept that is both easily understandable and difficult to fully grasp.
So, what exactly is the Metaverse? The term “Metaverse” is derived from two words: “Meta” and “verse.” “Verse” is simply a shortened version of “universe,” referring to a large world. “Meta,” on the other hand, was used by the ancient Greeks to denote something beyond or behind something else. In the context of the Metaverse, “Meta” refers to something beyond the universe or a second world.
In his book “The Metaverse,” Matthew Ball highlights the confusion surrounding the Metaverse and offers a humorous example of Jim Cramer attempting to explain it to investors. The virtual picture is now clearer, but defining the Metaverse remains complex and contentious. The Metaverse can be divided into two categories: the current practical metaverse, which we call the Whateververse conceptualized into the Metaverse Nexus, and the prospective Metaverse, which can be either dystopian or utopian depending on one’s perspective.
The author Neal Stephenson, who coined the term “Metaverse” in his book “Snow Crash” in 1992, argues that today’s Metaverse is still in its early stages. He identifies nine infrastructure pillars that are currently lacking in the Metaverse, including virtual worlds, 3D environments, real-time rendering, interoperability, scalability, persistence, synchronicity, individual presence, and continuity of data.
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So how can we define the Metaverse? From a technical standpoint, the Metaverse is an embodied 3D world where individuals can establish a second life. It encompasses various aspects of genuine living, including social interactions, economics, culture, and more. Apple, for example, has recently announced its vision of the Metaverse as “Spatial Computing,” focusing on humanizing advanced technology and creating practical uses for immersive tech.
To bring the Metaverse into reality, The Metaverse Insider categorizes the current Whateververse into three parts: the Social Metaverse, the Enterprise Metaverse, and the Industrial Metaverse. These three categories intersect to form practical use cases and encompass a wide range of sectors, interactions, and complex use cases.
Accessing the Metaverse depends on which subcategory you’re interested in. For the Social Metaverse, you can access virtual worlds through internet browsers or dedicated VR applications. The blending between worlds also exists, with WebAR experiences and AppAR applications accessible through smartphones. The Enterprise and Industrial Metaverses can be accessed through various devices, including browsers, smartphones, tablets, and computer applications. Customized development may be required for businesses to fully utilize the Metaverse’s potential.
The history of the Metaverse can be viewed through different prisms. It is a natural evolution of communication technologies, driven by the human desire for collaboration and information sharing. The first wave of computing began in 1959 with the development of the first mainframe computer. The second wave introduced mixed reality headsets in 1968. These waves have paved the way for the Metaverse, pushing communication to be instantaneous and information to be widely accessible.
In conclusion, the Metaverse has captured the imagination of many, but its true meaning and value can often be misunderstood. By redefining it as the Metaverse Nexus, we can focus on its practical applications and the benefits it can bring to businesses, industries, governments, and individuals. The Metaverse is a complex and evolving concept, but by delving deeper and exploring its various sectors, we can unlock its full potential. The future of the Metaverse is still uncertain, but its possibilities are vast and exciting.
