The Metaverse is coming

[Chino]

What's everyone's take on this? Are we all going to be living a headsets in 50 years?

3D avatars are staring to roll out on social media, and I'm guessing this is officially the dawn? Are these characters going to slowly morph into what people exist in the metaverse as?
https://techcrunch.com/2022/01/31/meta-brings-3d-avatars-to-instagram-rolls-out-new-options-for-facebook-and-messenger/ 

With the new update, users can now bring the same avatar across all Meta platforms, including VR. Any changes users make to their avatar on Facebook and Messenger will automatically appear on Instagram as well, and vice versa. Users still have the option to create different avatars for different platforms. Meta says that over time, its goal is to make it easier for users to move their avatar from place to place and plans to share more updates on this in the future.

[XJDenton]

What's everyone's take on this? Are we all going to be living a headsets in 50 years?

I fucking hope not.

[jingle.boy]

One step closer to The Matrix

[Lonk]

I saw a report yesterday about a churches congregations goin virtual, so I wouldn't be surprise.

https://www.fox5ny.com/news/virtual-reality-church-worshipping-in-the-metaverse

[WilliamMunny]

Some will, some won't—I will never have any use for a VR anything

Honestly, my reaction to this is the same anytime a topic like this comes up...

https://www.100people.org/statistics-100-people/

If the World were 100 PEOPLE:
50 would be female
50 would be male

25 would be children
There would be 75 adults,
9 of whom would be 65 and older

There would be:
60 Asians
16 Africans
14 people from the Americas
10 Europeans

31 Christians
23 Muslims
16 people who would not be aligned with a religion
15 Hindus
7 Buddhists
8 people who practice other religions

12 would speak Chinese
6 would speak Spanish
5 would speak English
4 would speak Hindi
3 would speak Arabic
3 would speak Bengali
3 would speak Portuguese
2 would speak Russian
2 would speak Japanese
60 would speak other languages

86 would be able to read and write; 14 would not

7 would have a college degree
40 would have an Internet connection

78 people would have a place to shelter them
from the wind and the rain, but 22 would not

1 would be dying of starvation
11 would be undernourished
22 would be overweight

91 would have access to safe drinking water
9 people would have no clean, safe water to drink

So...regardless of what we are talking about, we are only really talking about something that comes in to play for a minority of the world's population.

[Chino]

 *snip*
40 would have an Internet connection
*snip*

So...regardless of what we are talking about, we are only really talking about something that comes in to play for a minority of the world's population.

What was that figure 15 years ago? 10 years ago? 5 years ago? That number is growing every day, and as companies like Space X continue to build larger satellite arrays, the internet is only going to continue to get more accessible and cheaper.

I mean, we could apply that figure to social media in the present, couldn't we? Despite only 40% of people worldwide having access to the internet, I don't know of a single person IRL that doesn't have it. When I ask "Are we all going to be living in ____", I don't literally mean every single human on Earth. I'm talking the bulk of society that makes up what we'd consider to be the modern era of humanity. In 1995 one could have asked "Are we all going to walk around with touchscreen camera phones in our pocket one day?". I'd say the answer to that question is "yes" despite the statistic you provided.

[WilliamMunny]

 *snip*
40 would have an Internet connection
*snip*

So...regardless of what we are talking about, we are only really talking about something that comes in to play for a minority of the world's population.

What was that figure 15 years ago? 10 years ago? 5 years ago? That number is growing every day, and as companies like Space X continue to build larger satellite arrays, the internet is only going to continue to get more accessible and cheaper.

I mean, we could apply that figure to social media in the present, couldn't we? Despite only 40% of people worldwide having access to the internet, I don't know of a single person IRL that doesn't have it. When I ask "Are we all going to be living in ____", I don't literally mean every single human on Earth. I'm talking the bulk of society that makes up what we'd consider to be the modern era of humanity. In 1995 one could have asked "Are we all going to walk around with touchscreen camera phones in our pocket one day?". I'd say the answer to that question is "yes" despite the statistic you provided.

The stats were sourced in 2016 (per the article).

And I do not, nor will I ever have any social media accounts...so I guess you now know 1 person

All I'm saying is, 'the modern era of humanity' looks an awful lot like 'western culture,' and that it does not represent the majority of the planet.

But, I get your point, and I apologize for being a buzzkill (sincerely...just had a really rough morning)—the question you posed in your original post is thought-provoking, and I will concede that the answer is 'probably' yes.

[Ben_Jamin]

A lot of less fortunate people are able to have cellphones, which in turn allows them to access Social Media. They get them from the Free Cell Phone Service program.

When they get these phones, they usually search out wifi hotspots and use that to access the internet for YouTube, Facebook, and whatever app like Pokemon Go.

[Chino]

 *snip*
40 would have an Internet connection
*snip*

So...regardless of what we are talking about, we are only really talking about something that comes in to play for a minority of the world's population.

What was that figure 15 years ago? 10 years ago? 5 years ago? That number is growing every day, and as companies like Space X continue to build larger satellite arrays, the internet is only going to continue to get more accessible and cheaper.

I mean, we could apply that figure to social media in the present, couldn't we? Despite only 40% of people worldwide having access to the internet, I don't know of a single person IRL that doesn't have it. When I ask "Are we all going to be living in ____", I don't literally mean every single human on Earth. I'm talking the bulk of society that makes up what we'd consider to be the modern era of humanity. In 1995 one could have asked "Are we all going to walk around with touchscreen camera phones in our pocket one day?". I'd say the answer to that question is "yes" despite the statistic you provided.

The stats were sourced in 2016 (per the article).

And I do not, nor will I ever have any social media accounts...so I guess you now know 1 person

You're using an internet forum. I think that's categorized as being apart of social media technologies 

All I'm saying is, 'the modern era of humanity' looks an awful lot like 'western culture,' and that it does not represent the majority of the planet.

But, I get your point, and I apologize for being a buzzkill (sincerely...just had a really rough morning)—the question you posed in your original post is thought-provoking, and I will concede that the answer is 'probably' yes.

Didn't think you were being a buzzkill. Just having a genuine conversation 

[cramx3]

Personally, I don't like the idea.  THe concept is making us all less human in my eyes.  However, I do see it becoming very popular and having some uses that may make sense like replacing zoom meetings.  I would prefer not to live my life in a metaverse though. 

[Stadler]

I'm with Cram; what makes us unique - and what has been an underlying premise of the VAST majority of our social, cultural and moral policies - is that we are "living".  Human.  There is essence to us (and all living things, to some extent) that cannot be categorized, and cannot, easily be quantified.   I think we're losing that.   I'm sure we can recreate the five senses through VR, but they will be just that. RECREATIONS, the output of a programmer somewhere (even if colored by artifical intelligence).

We - some of us - consider a God, and I suppose that is the ultimate programmer, and it's hard to watch all this without drawing parallels to religion, but there's a component of faith there that I don't think will exist in VR. 

I think we're short-changing ourselves.  Sure some will benefit from the metaverse; there will undoubtedly be people getting laid there that aren't getting any action here in real life, and vice versa, but at the end of the day, there won't be any "100's" on that list that WilliamMunny posted, only different ACTUAL people that fall into certain buckets.

[cramx3]

Sure some will benefit from the metaverse; there will undoubtedly be people getting laid there that aren't getting any action here in real life, and vice versa

  but I have to ask, what's the point of getting laid in the metaverse?  Like at that point, isn't it just masturbation?

[jingle.boy]

To some degree, isn't EVERYTHING tantamount to a 'metaverse' for our brains to process?  Whether the data points are translated by our eyes, ears, nose, taste buds or skin receptors...it's all just a means for our brains to receive the information.

I think this concept of what's "real" or not is fascinating.  If I was to put on a VR, and walk around a 100% accurate simulation of Central Park, is that any less "real" than actually being there?  Maybe - but the way technology is going, there very well could be a future where the two are indistinguishable.

I'm reminded of the ST:TNG episode with Professor Moriarty, and how they trapped him in a simulation that would/could run forever.  Maybe we're all in someone's simulation right now?

[Stadler]

Sure some will benefit from the metaverse; there will undoubtedly be people getting laid there that aren't getting any action here in real life, and vice versa

  but I have to ask, what's the point of getting laid in the metaverse?  Like at that point, isn't it just masturbation?

I mean, that's my take, but if I've learned anything in my 54 years, it's that there's a person for everyone, and porn is a $12 BILLION industry for a reason. 

[Stadler]

To some degree, isn't EVERYTHING tantamount to a 'metaverse' for our brains to process?  Whether the data points are translated by our eyes, ears, nose, taste buds or skin receptors...it's all just a means for our brains to receive the information.

I think this concept of what's "real" or not is fascinating.  If I was to put on a VR, and walk around a 100% accurate simulation of Central Park, is that any less "real" than actually being there?  Maybe - but the way technology is going, there very well could be a future where the two are indistinguishable.

I'm reminded of the ST:TNG episode with Professor Moriarty, and how they trapped him in a simulation that would/could run forever.  Maybe we're all in someone's simulation right now?

But they're not the same. "Indistinguishable" is certainly in the eye of the beholder, but there are elements that cannot be recreated.  And I have a healthy, and experienced-based distrust of human's ability to be objective.   I was in New York this past Sunday through Tuesday, and Monday night I was walking to happy hour with a colleague, and we saw a guy taking a dump on the sidewalk.  Is that going to be part of the "recreation" of New York City?   But it's a part of the fabric of the real one.   Anyone here doubt even for a second that the demographics of these reconstructions will be manipulated to be what we* WANT them to be as opposed to what they are?

* "We" being a euphemism, of course; that's certainly NOT what I would want, for example.  If I want tricky, fancy photos of places I haven't yet seen, I will go on the interwebs.

[Adami]

I was in New York this past Sunday through Tuesday

That explains why I was being so disagreeable!

[ReaPsTA]

This sounds overly reductionist, but the Metaverse will take off when it offers something people actually want.

Successful Metaverses have already existed - MMORPGs. They provide an abstracted version of real life that people find some sort of comfort in. There's been at least one wedding in WoW and a whole gold economy existed (still exists?) at some point in time.

I saw a video of Meta (the artist formerly known as Facebook) demoing a metaverse app where 3D models that look like less human Miis sit around at a table having a meeting. I have no idea who thought this was a good idea. I see people sit behind their web cams with fanciful backgrounds on, and one of the biggest companies in the world thinks the future is a simulation that's a step backtwards from MMO games that have existed since the 00s? I know it's a work in progress but come on!

Snow Crash and Ready, Player One were prophecy. People want to jack into the Matrix. A metaverse of some kind will take off. The first people to buy property in it will be unfathomably wealthy. But that day is not immediately in the future. Whatever Metaverse(s?) is successful will need to provide a world people want to escape to. And I don't think anyone's anywhere close to cracking the code yet.

When it does happen though, like all major changes, it will be slowly, then all at once.

[jingle.boy]

Anyone here doubt even for a second that the demographics of these reconstructions will be manipulated to be what we* WANT them to be as opposed to what they are?

Honestly, sometimes I think I'd take the fucking Matrix over the reality we've got right now.

[Chino]

This sounds overly reductionist, but the Metaverse will take off when it offers something people actually want.

Successful Metaverses have already existed - MMORPGs. They provide an abstracted version of real life that people find some sort of comfort in. There's been at least one wedding in WoW and a whole gold economy existed (still exists?) at some point in time.

I saw a video of Meta (the artist formerly known as Facebook) demoing a metaverse app where 3D models that look like less human Miis sit around at a table having a meeting. I have no idea who thought this was a good idea. I see people sit behind their web cams with fanciful backgrounds on, and one of the biggest companies in the world thinks the future is a simulation that's a step backtwards from MMO games that have existed since the 00s? I know it's a work in progress but come on!

Snow Crash and Ready, Player One were prophecy. People want to jack into the Matrix. A metaverse of some kind will take off. The first people to buy property in it will be unfathomably wealthy. But that day is not immediately in the future. Whatever Metaverse(s?) is successful will need to provide a world people want to escape to. And I don't think anyone's anywhere close to cracking the code yet.

When it does happen though, like all major changes, it will be slowly, then all at once.

I'm curious what those draws are going to be. It'd have to be exclusive and involve content or activities people are most likely willing to pay for. Strip clubs/live cam entertainment will be huge, obviously, but what else?

I could definitely envision there being virtual comedy clubs where people could go hang out and watch comedians they like performing live and in real time. I think there's some potential for tabletop gaming as well. People who play games like War Hammer, DnD, and Magic the Gathering could be large markets.

[Lonk]

Chino, to your point, a big one I see coming in the next few years is sporting events. Imagine instead of paying a few hundred bucks to go watch the Knicks play in person, you pay half of that and get the view the camera people get from the baseline. or baseball games where you have different tiers for tickets, where the highest tier you see the game from the POV of the dugout.

[cramx3]

What's the difference between a live stream/TV airing and a metaverse when it comes to these last couple examples?

[Chino]

What's the difference between a live stream/TV airing and a metaverse when it comes to these last couple examples?

Exclusivity at the start mostly, I'd guess. Doing it with friends, or maybe getting to see stuff that's not on TV. Maybe this is what replaces TV. One of the reasons I've fallen out of love with baseball over the years (besides the pitch count and no more small ball) is because I ditched cable nearly 8 years ago.   

As for the comedy club, you could build other stuff into it. What if my buddies and I could meet up and see Jim Gaffigan do an online-only set but weren't confined to the show? We could go play darts or pool or whatever while other comics are on stage.   

I'm not sure. I'm thinking the leap will be something like the one made from B&W to color TVs. Not 100% necessary, but increases the enjoyment factor a ton.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

We haven't forgotten about Second Life right? 

[Ben_Jamin]

As long as it doesn't go in the direction of Sword Art Online or Digimon Cyberslueth. 

[lonestar]

I'm curious about the metaverse and where it could potentially go, but am very concerned about people, especially younger ones, losing themselves in it. I had this discussion with my AA sponsor the other day, and we were talking about how people need conflict to grow and thrive, without it we tend to create our own crisis to satisfy that urge. If we can tailor a universe to satisfy what we desire, we won't get that conflict, and I can see that getting very ugly as we lose the ability to transition from the metaverse to the real world. I always liked how at the end of Ready.Player.One, one of the big changes they make to the Oasis was to close it on thur and Sun....

[gmillerdrake]

I'm not educated as to what the metaverse is at all.....all I do know is I ordered and recieved the Occulus Quest 2 and this is the coolest thing ever! I spent 1-1/2 in a Jedi training dojo the other night so you guys better watch out.....I'm pretty close to being put on the Council.

[cramx3]

 

OOC, is that a live class with real people?  Or is it just a game?  I may be wrong, but I think that could be the seperation between VR and a metaverse (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

[TAC]

I literally don't understand a single word in this thread.

[Stadler]

This sounds overly reductionist, but the Metaverse will take off when it offers something people actually want.

Successful Metaverses have already existed - MMORPGs. They provide an abstracted version of real life that people find some sort of comfort in. There's been at least one wedding in WoW and a whole gold economy existed (still exists?) at some point in time.

I saw a video of Meta (the artist formerly known as Facebook) demoing a metaverse app where 3D models that look like less human Miis sit around at a table having a meeting. I have no idea who thought this was a good idea. I see people sit behind their web cams with fanciful backgrounds on, and one of the biggest companies in the world thinks the future is a simulation that's a step backtwards from MMO games that have existed since the 00s? I know it's a work in progress but come on!

Snow Crash and Ready, Player One were prophecy. People want to jack into the Matrix. A metaverse of some kind will take off. The first people to buy property in it will be unfathomably wealthy. But that day is not immediately in the future. Whatever Metaverse(s?) is successful will need to provide a world people want to escape to. And I don't think anyone's anywhere close to cracking the code yet.

When it does happen though, like all major changes, it will be slowly, then all at once.

I'm always worried about jacking off in the matrix, in cases someone has photos.  I'm never running for office or anything, but still, I have kids.

Oh, wait, you said jacking IN to the matrix.  My bad! 

[gmillerdrake]

OOC, is that a live class with real people?  Or is it just a game?  I may be wrong, but I think that could be the seperation between VR and a metaverse (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

 It’s just some training ground for in game training. Not any ‘real’ people. It’s VR

[emtee]

Extremely interested in this topic. I could discuss it for hours. I fear it could eventually become a primary existence where this alternate reality becomes its own reality and serves to further blurthe line between reality, surreality, truth and fiction. I guaguarantee  you we're headed into unpredictable and uncharted waters.

[Cool Chris]

I literally don't understand a single word in this thread.

cramx3 said the only word I have recognized when he posted:

but I have to ask, what's the point of getting laid in the metaverse?  Like at that point, isn't it just masturbation?

[Stadler]

Extremely interested in this topic. I could discuss it for hours. I fear it could eventually become a primary existence where this alternate reality becomes its own reality and serves to further blurthe line between reality, surreality, truth and fiction. I guaguarantee  you we're headed into unpredictable and uncharted waters.

With potentially tragic downsides.  I'm very adamant, as some of you know, that we - Americans - suffer from a crippling insecurity that is now pervading almost all aspects of our lives.  We need validation CONSTANTLY, whether it's in the form of our news casts, our politicians, the "Likes" we get on social media, the lane we choose on the highway... you name it, there's a component in our society where people have this need - this strong NEED - to be affirmed of their position.   

I think VR has the potential to not only fan the flames of that fire, but outright pour gasoline on it.  Just imagine some of the problems we have so far, stemming from people's failure to feel "accepted" and how that might balloon in a virtual world where there is more illusion of control.

[Chino]

Extremely interested in this topic. I could discuss it for hours. I fear it could eventually become a primary existence where this alternate reality becomes its own reality and serves to further blurthe line between reality, surreality, truth and fiction. I guaguarantee  you we're headed into unpredictable and uncharted waters.

With potentially tragic downsides.  I'm very adamant, as some of you know, that we - Americans - suffer from a crippling insecurity that is now pervading almost all aspects of our lives.  We need validation CONSTANTLY, whether it's in the form of our news casts, our politicians, the "Likes" we get on social media, the lane we choose on the highway... you name it, there's a component in our society where people have this need - this strong NEED - to be affirmed of their position.   

I think VR has the potential to not only fan the flames of that fire, but outright pour gasoline on it.  Just imagine some of the problems we have so far, stemming from people's failure to feel "accepted" and how that might balloon in a virtual world where there is more illusion of control.

Could it have the opposite effect? Maybe everyone will finally be able to find that group that provides that acceptance. I'm not suggesting that'll be the case. Just exploring.

[cramx3]

Extremely interested in this topic. I could discuss it for hours. I fear it could eventually become a primary existence where this alternate reality becomes its own reality and serves to further blurthe line between reality, surreality, truth and fiction. I guaguarantee  you we're headed into unpredictable and uncharted waters.

With potentially tragic downsides.  I'm very adamant, as some of you know, that we - Americans - suffer from a crippling insecurity that is now pervading almost all aspects of our lives.  We need validation CONSTANTLY, whether it's in the form of our news casts, our politicians, the "Likes" we get on social media, the lane we choose on the highway... you name it, there's a component in our society where people have this need - this strong NEED - to be affirmed of their position.   

I think VR has the potential to not only fan the flames of that fire, but outright pour gasoline on it.  Just imagine some of the problems we have so far, stemming from people's failure to feel "accepted" and how that might balloon in a virtual world where there is more illusion of control.

What happens when someone is bullied in the metaverse?