Can you imagine a day when you can put on a pair of glasses, anywhere in the world, and do a virtual walkthrough of a home? No, I’m not talking about a virtual tour. I’m talking about the ability to open cupboards. Take a look inside the fridge. Even check to see what type of lightbulb was used in a light fixture. All done through a virtual world. Not possible? Think again.
It’s called the Metaverse and it’s being dubbed as the next evolution of social connection. The Metaverse is a hypothesized iteration of the internet, supporting online 3-D virtual environments through conventional computers, as well as virtual and augmented reality headsets. Did you get all of that? Well, I’ll explain.
Companies like Facebook are investing copious amounts of money to make the world of shopping for things like clothing, shoes, and perhaps even housing a reality like no other. They’re on a mission to better establish a sense of presence for the consumer in a realistic environment that allows them to view and interact with and ultimately make a purchasing decision through what is essentially, a pair of glasses. As Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook puts it, “3D spaces in the metaverse will let you socialize, learn, collaborate and play in ways that go beyond what we can imagine.”
There is little doubt that Technology has given us the power to express ourselves and explore the world in greater ways than before. With the Metaverse, we won’t just be able to look at things or places, we’ll be able to experience it. We’ll be able to get together with friends, family, play, shop, to feel present no matter how far apart we actually are. Ultimately, we’ll be able to feel like we are literally, right there, in the moment. Instead of just viewing, say a photo or video of kids or grandkids, you’ll feel like you’re actually there, in that moment of time. Not just on your computer by yourself. You’ll be able to make eye contact and have a feeling of shared space. That deep feeling of presence.
In a recent article by the National Post it said that It’s no coincidence that this concept has sci-fi vibes to it, the term “metaverse” was originally coined in science fiction writer Neal Stephenson’s book “Snow Crash” in 1992 to describe a virtual world that people would plug into using their own virtual avatars. Online games like Second Life, which launched in 2003, were pioneers for metaverse economies, allowing users to trade goods and services using their in-game Linden dollars — including virtual real estate.
Some developers such as Microsoft have proposed using metaverse technology for improvements in work productivity. Instead of looking at someone on screen in a group setting such as Zoom, imagine a room full of people where one can make eye contact. Within the education sector, metaverse technologies have been proposed as a way to allow for interactive environments for learning. The metaverse could also host virtual reality home tours in the real estate sector.
Linden dollars may have been laughed at in the past but with the emergence of Cryptocurrencies being as real as dollar bills, who knows, maybe one day we’ll put on a headset and buy a home without ever stepping foot inside. I wonder if we’ll even live in a home 100 years from now? In the meantime, I like going into a home. Getting a sense for its character. Being able to see and touch. And of course, smell. I want to hear traffic patterns and the neighbourhood kids out on the street. But that’s just me.
For debate, a further discussion, or just a good old conversation, please feel to contact Matthew at [email protected]
