The Metaverse
Topic:
The Metaverse has been a huge point of focus over the past few years, but there hasn’t been much adoption from users. Many people aren’t even sure what the Metaverse is or entails. While there are so many topics we could discuss, I would like to focus the discussion mainly on the VR component. With advancing technology and user adoption, will we be living in the Metaverse?
Readings:
Experience what the Metaverse looks like by signing up to explore Decentraland or Second Life
The Metaverse and How We'll Build It Together YouTube video by Meta
The Metaverse Is Coming, and the World Is Not Ready for It by Zoe Weinberg
The Metaverse’s Dark Side: Here Come Harassment and Assaults by Sheera Frenkel and Kellen Browning
The Social Metaverse: Battle for Privacy by Ben Falchuk, Shoshana Loeb, & Ralph Neff (Pgs. 52-55)
Metaverse for Social Good: A University Campus Prototype by Haihan Duan
OPTIONAL: READY PLAYER ONE Trailer YouTube video by FilmSelect
OPTIONAL: We Might Be in a Simulation. How Much Should That Worry Us? by Farhad Manjoo
OPTIONAL: Investors Snap Up Metaverse Real Estate in a Virtual Land Boom by Debra Kamin
OPTIONAL: I Spent 24 Hours in the Metaverse. I Made Friends, Did Work and Panicked About the Future by Joanna Stern
Discussion Questions:
Does the metaverse scare OR excite you? Why or why not?
What do you see as the societal benefits of the Metaverse? Can we overcome social injustices through the Metaverse?
What is the economic opportunity? Tech continues to look for an application, but do people really want to shop or go to church in the virtual world? What is the problem to be solved?
How close are we to this grand vision? If this Metaverse vision is possible, what are your biggest concerns and what should we do about it?
As the metaverse becomes more prominent, how can we protect ourselves as users?
