I think the metaverse may be a bad thing. We are already are too consumed with our phones and social media and now we want an all consumed digital life and digital universe on top of it?
Dr. Leemon Baird mentioned on a recent HelloFutureBuzz spaces talk that soon we will be walking down the street and seeing both digital and real life features as we go about our daily lives. People seem obsessed and even super fans of a metaverse and virtual content that is indistinguishable from real life. They want houses, cars, clothes, jewelry and even partners in a complete alternative second life. An escape from reality, but why?
Everyone is pushing the metaverse right now from Facebook to Nike, Microsoft and more. Psychologists will tell you that social media is unhealthy and that everyone should take some time to unplug. So why is it that huge companies are now telling us to escape reality further and get ready to be plugged in indefinitely. The answer is simple; control and profit. I am sure facebook will pay big money to map your thought process and personal behavior in a metaverse to tailor virtual billboards, what you see and when you see it.
Now, don’t get me wrong the technology is great, the advancement is amazing and if built on Hedera Hashgraph; than I say even better. However there are implications beyond what most comprehend, digest or even realize. One of those is the further decline of real social activity and the second you may think you need a tin foil hat for but it’s a theory that has gained traction since the 90s…
Simulation hypothesis says that we most likely live in a simulation and the odds increase once a civilization reaches the “Simulation point” meaning once a civilization can create life-like simulations then the odds that you are in a simulation increases drastically. Are you with me so far?
So, simulation theory or hypothesis argues that we are in fact in a simulation. The theory was popularized by Nick Bostrom, a modern philosopher and the theory was initially was met with extreme criticism. However in recent years; physics, astronomy and even game developers are starting to agree and see evidence of this theory in real life. The theory is by no means a new one as for thousands of years before computers were even considered it was speculated that we may live in a fake world. I do not want to get too much into the history but even Plato’s allegory of the cave mimics such a theory to a certain extent.
So, after telling you all that, what exactly is my point?
My point is that we are we pushing for and racing towards a complete virtual existence. When we reach that milestone, then what are the implications? Does that then mean that we confirm a simulated existence? and if not does the social implications set us back as a civilization? Does it add to the depression and mental health issues we currently face? Does it make couch potatoes and gamers give up on real life to try to escape and be in the metaverse more than real life?
All I know is that in today’s life, it’s hard to have a decent conversation without everyone’s face in their phone and all the distractions. So what happens when depression peaks and half the world is rotting away in real life while plugged in and partying in the metaverse?
Just some food for thought. Sorry that this was not a Hedera centric article but relevant nonetheless due to all the talk, discussion and hype around the metaverse.
Hedera ID: 0.0.9090
