STEM Nibbles
September 21, 2021

What Is the Metaverse? An Explanation and Why It Matters

Most of us have seen the movie – The Matrix. It plays with the idea that we are all living in a simulation, where only those who take the red pill can “wake up” to the harsh realities of the real world. Unsurprisingly, some characters want to go back to the virtual world because, for them, real life is too difficult.

This concept of a persistent, alternate reality is no longer just a cinematic dream. So, what is the metaverse, and why is this digital universe suddenly so important?

Caution – Multiple movie references ahead. Read and watch at your own risk!

An Alternate Life in a Virtual Universe

Imagine jumping into a different world by just putting on a set of virtual reality (VR) glasses and leading a Second Life! That was the theme of the movie Ready Player One. In the film, the teenage hero spends most of his time in a virtual universe called the OASIS.

“People come to the OASIS for all the things they can do,” he says, “but they stay for all the things they can be.”

His point is that the appeal of a virtual reality world isn’t just about the mind-boggling things you can do; it’s about the completely different (virtual) person you can become. This is the core promise of the metaverse.

Why Is the Metaverse Important? The Endless Possibilities

The possibilities in the digital world are endless. A person with a physical disability could become a star athlete, while someone facing economic hardship could experience life as a rich elite. Anyone could try things they might never imagine doing in real life. Personally, I’d go skydiving at every chance I got!

The most fascinating part is that the metaverse is no longer just a topic of science fiction. It is much closer to reality than you might think. Metaverse companies like Meta (formerly Facebook), Microsoft, and Epic Games are investing billions to bring this vision to the masses at a rapid pace.

The Origin of the Term ‘Metaverse’

So, where did the term come from? The metaverse meaning traces back to science fiction author Neal Stephenson, who coined it in his 1992 novel Snow Crash. A portmanteau of “meta” (meaning beyond) and “universe,” the novel’s Metaverse was a 100-meter-wide virtual street that ran around a fictional black planet. But what does the metaverse mean in today’s world?

What Will the Metaverse Actually Include?

The metaverse that Big Tech is trying to build is a shared, online, virtual space that blends the physical and digital. It would have its own economy, jobs, shopping districts, and entertainment, powered by metaverse technology like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

Crucially, it would exist and evolve even when you’re not logged in. If a digital tree falls in a virtual forest, it makes a sound even if no one is there to hear it!

According to Matthew Ball, a venture capitalist and former Amazon executive, the metaverse is a persistent, synchronous, and live experience that spans both the digital and physical worlds. Just like in the real world, it would allow people and businesses to create, own, and sell goods and services. The ultimate goal is interoperability.

Imagine if every shoe store you visited required its own currency, a separate ID, and had unique shoe sizes. That’s what the internet is like today. The metaverse aims to make the digital experience more like a real-world shopping mall—seamless, connected, and open to all.

Are We Already Living in Early Metaverse Examples?

In many ways, the building blocks of the metaverse are already here. The pandemic emphasized the importance of digital meet-up spaces, making Zoom and Google Meet household names. We’ve even seen weddings and graduations held in Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons—a popular life-simulation game.

Here are a few more metaverse examples:

Second Life: Launched in 2003, this virtual social world had over a million users at its peak, building homes, organizing events, and designing their own avatars. The band Duran Duran even held a concert and opened a virtual headquarters there in 2006.
Fortnite: Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, aims to make the metaverse as ubiquitous as the internet. To showcase its potential, it hosted a virtual concert with pop star Ariana Grande, attended by millions.
Decentraland: This metaverse platform has its own metaverse crypto, MANA, used to buy virtual land and NFTs. It also features virtual art galleries that mirror London’s, helping artists sell their work digitally.
Meta (Formerly Facebook): Perhaps the biggest player is Meta. In a clear signal of his commitment, CEO Mark Zuckerberg rebranded Facebook to Meta, declaring his intent to transform it from a social media company into a metaverse company. Meta has launched Horizon Worlds, its own version of the OASIS, and Meta Horizon Workrooms, a collaborative VR space for meetings. Imagine sitting in a virtual 3D classroom with your VR headset, interacting with classmates from the comfort of your home!

The Future of the Metaverse

Whatever shape the metaverse takes this decade, one thing is certain: it’s poised to become a huge part of our digital lives. A new version of the internet is being built right before our eyes. The question is no longer if it will arrive, but how we will balance its immersive, digital experiences with the tangible beauty of the real world.

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Footnote: The metaverse represents a major frontier in STEM and science and tech. The underlying research methodology combines computer science, artificial intelligence, and software development to create these virtual worlds. For any scholar or student pursuing a B.Tech in computer science, understanding this latest technology is crucial. Ongoing research studies, often found in international journals and other scholarly sources, explore the technical and social implications, making this a prime area for postdoctoral research and innovative ideas.