People already spend 8.5 hours online daily, and that figure is only about to grow with the popularity of the metaverse. Everything that you do online is becoming increasingly augmented into immersive virtual realities, social network systems, and complex gaming software.
But what is the metaverse? Is it a good thing? Can the metaverse be deleted?
Read on to answer these questions and to get some insight into our tech-savvy future.
What Is the Metaverse?
The metaverse is a complex term that can refer to many different things, but most of the time the word is used simply. If you have a sentence with the word “metaverse” in it, you can replace it with the word “cyberspace” most of the time. They broadly refer to a similar concept and the meaning of your sentence won’t really change.
The metaverse is more of a cultural shift than a specific concept- it refers to the changing ways that we interact with technology. Some technologies that make up the metaverse include virtual reality (VR), augmented reality. It basically is any 3D world made for the purpose of experience and social connection.
The main application of the metaverse is gaming. Many modern online video games incorporate the metaverse because they have social functions in an augmented world.
Fortnite is perhaps the most widely known metaverse game today, but the metaverse’s impact on gaming stems back to 2003. Second Life is hailed as the first metaverse because of its 3D world and avatar-represented users.
Why Is the Metaverse So Cool?
There’s no debating that the metaverse is shaping many facets of our daily lives. Gaming is one of the biggest applications for it, but it’s far from the only one.
Social media is also moving toward the metaverse. Mark Zuckerberg is betting the entire future of Facebook on the metaverse, stating that he is going to make it easier for users to immerse themselves in content rather than just view it in 2D. He is working with various developers and creators to make the Facebook metaverse accessible on PC and mobile devices.
Scientists and educators also view metaverse-connected virtual reality as a good way to view things up-close that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to. This includes stars, constellations, human cells, microbes, viruses, and even literary imagery. It has educational applications, too.
So, its core benefits include:
- Letting people immerse themselves in media
- Allowing connections to develop between people who aren’t physically together
- Allowing for more engaging business meetings and conference calls
- Letting students engage with academic material they otherwise would not be able to
- Letting scientists better explore and learn about the universe
- Stimulating all of the senses at once for a 3D immersive experience
- Constant development, meaning that it will only get better in the future
- The ability to express yourself with digital fashion
Many media have also engaged with substance about the metaverse. The book and movie franchise Ready Player One is perhaps the most notable metaverse place in pop culture (and will be of interest to gamers). Films like Wreck-It Ralph and Ironman also incorporate metaverse concepts.
Does the Metaverse Have Downsides?
Like all good things, though, the metaverse definitely has its downsides.
The first is information privacy since metaverse platforms usually collect personal information before people use them. Wearable VR devices collect data, which poses a concern at the most basic level.
Facebook’s plans to use the metaverse for advertising have only fueled these concerns. This makes sense since experts believe that data collection in the metaverse will be easier than on the regular web. There is also currently no way to police and regulate a widespread metaverse, which could make it a hub for future illegal activity such as identity theft.
Other critics state that VR technology is being portrayed as too “utopian.” She thinks that people will move towards it to get relief from worker exploitation and discrimination, which will, in turn, make them get exploited worse. These people state that companies and disaster capitalists will use the metaverse to try to figure out a way to suck more money out of a world with dwindling resources.
The metaverse may also have adverse impacts on the social lives of children and teenagers. While they will be able to better connect over a virtual space, they also may no longer nurture the skills to foster real-world connections. Surface-level friendships, poor social skills, and a lack of real-world presence may become issues when the metaverse further proliferates.
Is Deleting the Metaverse Possible?
Like everything, the metaverse has both many benefits and many downsides. Some experts believe that it is the future of our world- and that this will be a good thing! However, others are all for deleting the metaverse ASAP.
But is it even possible to delete the metaverse? Not really as of 2022.
The metaverse is such a large global phenomenon that it is impossible to delete. People understandably love it since they can see the world virtually, create a realistic avatar, and stretch their imagination to the limit. To eradicate the metaverse entirely, everyone would need to agree to stop producing content in it and stop using it- in other words, it just isn’t going to happen.
However, you can permanently delete data from your machine including that associated with the metaverse. If you’re so inclined, the Shred Cube can simply plug into your USB port and delete the applications and VR information that you no longer want. This is a personal choice that you may want to make if you’re a gamer with a lot of sensitive information on your machine.
So, Is the Metaverse Going to Last Forever?
Deleting the metaverse may or may not be a good idea. However, if you’re someone who doesn’t like it, some experts believe that it isn’t built to last. These professionals don’t believe that it is a sustainable and appealing alternative to current games and social media.
Others, however, believe that it is the future of our existence. Many experts say that people in tech-savvy areas are going to be fully virtual by 2030. These populations wouldn’t just perform certain tasks in the metaverse- they would live their whole lives within it.
Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Only time will tell. Like everything, the metaverse has both a light and a dark side.
Beyond the Future of the Metaverse
Now that you know the basics of the metaverse, it’s time to learn more about digital concepts like the metaverse. It’s also time to learn how you can protect the privacy of yourself and your organization as the metaverse grows.
Our experts are committed to helping you permanently delete any sensitive information on your network. Contact us for more information on making this happen.
