THE METAVERSE
The Metaverse is sometimes a little hard to grasp, so this site has been created to help make it more familiar. Simply put, it is already all around us... hence the name of this page.
THREE MOVIES
These movies are key to understanding where Web3 and the Metaverse might take us.
Valerian (2017)
Explains the idea behind Augmented Reality.
About 20 minutes into the movie there is a scene that takes place in a desert where tourists are able to visit 'Big Market.' This giant shopping area happens to be in a different dimension. The tourists put on a special helmet and gloves which allows them to walk around and shop. In one dimension, it looks like a lot of people just wandering in the middle of the desert. But with the gloves and helmet they actually get to be in a different world entirely.
Free Guy (2021)
Explains impact of gaming as part of the Metaverse.
Throughout the entire movie you can see elements that are common to most games, including avatars, in-game purchases, etc. While some don't see games as Web3, millions of individuals are "in them" on a daily basis. Players develop friendships, altered personalities, and engage in commerce on a number of levels. Games have laid the foundation for all types of industries.
Ready Player One (2018)
Explains how virtual reality works, and interoperability.
This movie is currently the best example of what a Web3 world will look like, minus the stacked mobile homes and repayment centers (hopefully). The ability to jump from world to world is a current challenge that needs to be solved, known as interoperability. Still, this movie suggests what could be achieved with modern VR headsets and equipment to fully immerse yourself in a digital world.Web3 & Metaverse Podcasts
These are some great places to learn about the world around us. There are countless podcasts and episodes out there, most of which are trying to answer the question "what is the Metaverse?" Many people are still trying to understand cryptocurrencies, which is why I included the Business Wars series. It creates a great primer.
Business Wars - Crypto Wars
While this All Around Us is intended to focus more on the Metaverse, this is a good primer related to cryptocurrencies. Several episodes, very accessible.
Welcome to the Metaverse
These are frequent and short episodes exploring all types of movement in the Metaverse. I like it because it's accessible and spans every corner of the Web3 world.
Future of NFT
I like this podcast host because he is always thinking about where things can go. NFTs are a big part of the Metaverse, not limited to just jpgs - some have a utility function which is often explored on this podcast.
What education could look like...
Second Life: OG Metaverse
To fully understand where this all started and where it can go, it's important to explore Second Life which is the origin story to the Metaverse (much like the Minitel was the predecessor to the World Wide Web). Education has been taking place there for almost twenty years.
Explaining the Metaverse
From Meta to Disney, major entertainment companies are exploring ways to be in this space. This video does a good job of explaining things from top to bottom. Pick up on the elements that speak to education possibilities.
SuperWorld: Virtual Real Estate
Prediction: In 2025 colleges and universities will own virtual land in the Metaverse and begin offering classes at their virtual campuses. This is made possible through platforms like SuperWorld and technology like Microsoft "twins."
Being there... or not?
- Online education already gives students the ability to take classes from a distance.
- Even for students who live a few hours away, providing other options for 'attending' courses, talks, and other student activities can make a significant difference.
- Access however is still largely limited to those in the 'global north' - those with a land-based technology infrastructure; cheap or free Internet access, less expensive devices, etc.
- Some learning management systems are doing a good job of making courses available on mobile devices, but still they lean heavily towards needing laptops/desktops.
- There is still a heavy cost involved with accessing higher education around the world.
- If the overhead associated with delivering courses was reduced, naturally the cost to a student could be reduced as well.
- If the instructor doesn't have to be physically on the campus, or even in the same country, they could be paid less for greater flexibility.
- If a student doesn't have to be on campus to take the course, they have less cost to attend.
- When the experience is delivered through smart phones - everything changes.
- We do still have to consider how that impacts the student experience.
But what if we made the Metaverse where education happens?- Students, instructors can tune in from anywhere.
- Courses become more 'global' with perspectives beyond local borders.
- Financial implications shift.
- Student networks expand beyond their local community. Their peers are now across the globe.
Virtual Teachers & Presenters
Limitless access to the purveyors of knowledge.
Virtual Attendance
Attend events and classes as if you are actually there. No borders.
