- Metaverse is considered as the next iteration of the internet.
- It is believed that there will be a myriad of interconnected digital worlds.
- Organizations like Microsoft, Meta, Apple etc. are working on virtual spaces.
Metaverse Problems
After the rebranding of Facebook into Meta. The concept of metaverse has grown by leaps and bounds. Celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, David Beckham to name a few, are connected to the metaverse technology. The term was initially coined in a novel called Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. It showed what virtual worlds should look like.
The space is showing various use cases emerging day by day. At first, many people thought that it is a space to interact with others. But with time, they came to know that they can do almost anything like shopping, business, travel etc. The purpose of metaverse is to create a world where centralization is eliminated entirely. Everyone walking down this path is going to be an owner in this space.
But this fascinating concept comes with its own weaknesses. If there is no centralization in the space, that means there will not be any regulations. This can lead to unethical practices by the malicious actors. Recently, a female researcher doing a study revealed that she was harassed in the Horizon Worlds developed by Meta.
Bernard Marr, an author, thinks that users may go through desensitization. This means that they might not be able to control their actions in the digital world. He gave an instance in a blog that, while playing a shooting game, they can get so used to it, that it may lead them to pull a trigger in real life if they are holding a gun. People can think of it as an action taking place due to their subconsciousness.
Forbes pointed out the absence of interoperability among virtual worlds. This can raise issues. It allows the digital worlds to connect with each other. It is like bridges allowing users to enter one realm to another.
Another metaverse problem remains the health concerns of the users. People can access the virtual space through devices like Virtual Reality goggles. These equipment can have negative effects on human eyes. The virtual space can inflict psychological damage to a user if accessed for a longer time.
This being said, metaverse technology is an impressive notion, but it comes with its downfalls. It is uncertain as to when we get to witness these virtual worlds going mainstream. But whenever the day arrives, hopefully it brings something useful for its user base.
Anurag is working as a fundamental writer for The Coin Republic since 2021. He likes to exercise his curious muscles and research deep into a topic. Though he covers various aspects of the crypto industry, he is quite passionate about the Web3, NFTs, Gaming, and Metaverse, and envisions them as the future of the (digital) economy. A reader & writer at heart, he calls himself an “average guitar player” and a fun footballer.