
A Metaverse of Possibilities
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The events of the last few years have opened many more minds to the possibilities of the metaverse. In particular, the pandemic became proof-positive that the way we spend our time, and where we spend it, isn’t as inflexible as previously thought.
But how might life, education, and business be conducted, expanded, and fully experienced in a virtual environment?
It could take a leap of faith to find out, but until then, we look forward to finally having the perfect place to display all those NFTs.
Take a conscious next step into the future and imagine what the new 3D world may look like – a metaverse full of possibilities.
VR Headsets Get a LOT More Fashionable
How long do you think it will be before we see people wearing discreet, fashionable VR glasses on public transit, in coffee shops, and in other public places?
If you’ve ever seen or worn an Oculus, it must be said – these things are clunky, strange, and can be a real pain in the neck.
One of the first (and most practical) innovations we can expect is an update to the VR headsets of yore. It looks like Ray-Ban is already doing just that, in fact.
Brands & Fashion Houses Entering the Metaverse
Speaking of fashion, the glasses we wear IRL are just the beginning.
There are fashionable metaverse tshirts, tees and accessories available to wear in the "real" world to share your passion and enthusiasm for living and working in the metaverse.
And many designers such as Dior and Burberry have already created apps for VR users that allow them to try on goods or decorate their virtual surroundings.
As for fashion in the metaverse itself, start dreaming big now. A lot of brands are ready to deck out your avatar in haute digital designs - at a much more affordable price than the “real” thing.
And fashion shows are already becoming hot-ticket virtual events. Decentraland has hosted its own Fashion Week and luxury brands like Balenciaga have thrown digital-only shows to great reception.
Other fashion houses are working their way into the metaverse via NFTs. Last year, Italian couturiers Dolce & Gabbana produced nine NFTs that ended up raking in more than $5M.
Breathing New Life into a Disenchanted Workforce
In its plans to help herald what they call the “future of the internet” Meta (aka Facebook) intends to add more than 10,000 jobs focused on building and maintaining space in the metaverse.
Other mega-companies that want in (such as Microsoft) are already looking for people to help build their patch of the digital landscape.
The rise in new positions coincides with another way that the metaverse will affect jobs.
Many of the millions who quit unsatisfying positions during what’s now known as The Great Resignation can find more fulfilling work in the metaverse. After all, a large fraction of those who quit are from the tech industry.
In addition, the metaverse brings good news to those who would do anything short of quitting to avoid the office. Companies that were previously reluctant to go all-remote may find the metaverse more accommodating and socially satisfying.
The first component of work in the metaverse involves those new VR headsets.
Once inside, the “remote” worker interacts with avatars of their coworkers, speaking in real-time and using screens, whiteboards, and other collaborative tools that appear virtually.
What Kind of Job Can I Get in the Metaverse?
Drilling down further into the topic of jobs in the metaverse, let’s see what your prospects may be.
If you can write code, the possibilities are pretty much endless. Developers are already in high demand.
As the metaverse expands, there will be many more opportunities. In the topics we discuss below, the positions will become apparent, from pastors and personal trainers to tour guides and game designers.
That said, you might also start preparing your resume if you have expertise in any of the following:
- Extensive knowledge of blockchain and digital currency, or legal expertise surrounding these.
- Creators of all kinds, whether you can design characters or are a streamer/influencer.
- Analysts, people who work with safety, data, cartography, and more – you could be the historians and essential authorities on navigating the metaverse.
New Opportunities in Education
The past few years have made the pitfalls of remote learning very evident. However, the metaverse can address these shortcomings and in fact, expand learning opportunities.
First, it’s safe to say that metaverse meetings are far more engaging than the average Zoom session. The virtual classroom of 2020 was less of a classroom and more of a peek into a corner of everyone’s quarantine-time bedroom.
Virtual reality can impart the same immersive experience for education that it will for the workplace – and then some. First, you have student avatars interacting, not just watching a corner of the screen. From there, consider the setting.
A history lesson at a virtual simulation of the Parthenon? A biology lesson at a realistic rendering of London’s Natural History Museum?
This is far more engaging than remote learning as we currently know it, and lightyears more insightful than regular in-person classes. You’re not just watching it; you’re experiencing it, expanding on it, and sharing it in real-time with other students and instructors.
What About Healthcare?
First, with respect to healthcare and education, medical students will enjoy improved access to essential trainings.
From there, we’ll see substantial optimizations in remote healthcare.
Thanks to the pandemic, telehealth appointments are pretty common now. In the metaverse, they’ll be more comprehensive and efficient.
In short, they provide better ways to examine data than a regular Zoom appointment. And the more personal interaction in a 3D space will offer even more improvements for things like remote therapy and mental health counseling.
Socialization, Entertainment, & Personal Development Explode in the Metaverse
Hit the bottom of Netflix? Burnt out on Tinder? Living in the sticks where there’s a shortage of yoga instructors? Keep your eye on the metaverse.
Much of this was in the works long before social distancing limited our daily interactions, but anticipation is soon to reach a fever pitch. Dating, hanging out with friends, attending concerts and other events, and much more will be a main attraction in our new digital landscape.
Digital Dates
Online dating, for instance, has consisted of a lot of in-app text messaging. People are understandably hesitant to give out contact info or arrange to meet IRL while they’re still getting to know someone new.
The metaverse can help soothe a lot of dating anxieties. In the first place, it’s a lot easier to do your avatar’s hair. From there, you can safely use audio capabilities to enjoy your virtual reality date at a bar or restaurant and see how things move.
You might even get to flaunt a more adventurous side of yourself on a virtual rollercoaster. Disney date in the metaverse, anyone?
Physically Active in the Virtual World
Personal development and fitness get major accessibility upgrades, too.
Virtual workouts are already a reality, but with the metaverse making everything more immersive, you can expect even bigger benefits. And lest that sound dangerous to you, imagine the ways in which it can reduce risks.
For instance, real-time instructions, adjustments, and corrections take something like a yoga practice to new levels, preventing injury in the process. The metaverse makes this possible where the average laptop or one-stoplight town poses a problem.
Socialization & Spirituality
Faith and spirituality are more than welcome in the metaverse as well. There are plenty of reasons why some people cannot worship how and when they please, but this too will undergo a transformation.
Imagine a virtual service where you can see passages and events shared in the Bible (any bible at all) occur in front of you. Imagine being able to visit a temple and meditate with hundreds or thousands of other people working to shift the world’s consciousness. It’s possible in the metaverse.
Of course, many of us are still just struggling to catch up with our friends. The metaverse will be a second home to plenty of interesting folks you can get to know, but your nearest and dearest can come, too.
Set a date with your friends to watch a movie together, attend a virtual concert, or heck – build your own little world together where you guys alone can meet up and do whatever you like best.
All in all, the metaverse is shaping up to be a great way to get you out of the group chat and into something more entertaining and substantial.
A place where you can actually make memories.
Gaming & Special Events
To get an idea of special events in the Metaverse, just take a look at what’s already going on.
Artists like Travis Scott and Ariana Grande have already hosted wildly popular virtual concerts in Fortnite, while Paris Hilton’s opened up her virtual world in Roblox.
All of this will continue; it will just become more lifelike.
If you’re a gamer, this is doubly exciting. You’re now where you always wanted to be, fully inside the game.
In many ways, the gaming industry is already much closer to the metaverse, considering it is a general Segway to virtual reality. Its audience is wide-open to the idea, and it has the tech to make it happen.
The Big Virtual Land Grab
“Buy land; they’re not making any more of it.”
Ha!
New land is being built in the metaverse, and it’s selling like hotcakes.
Real estate purchases are already racking up hundreds of millions of dollars. Half a million alone to be Snoop Dogg’s virtual neighbor. A $2.4M plot sold in Decentraland. An eye-watering $3.8M for a plot in the Sandbox.
Should you buy now? That’s a tricky question, considering virtual land is really expensive – even the smallest purchases are easily north of $10,000. And some experts say the market has become too hot for everyone to start moving.
For the average user, it’s probably better to wait until they make more land.
Right now, the biggest benefit for metaverse land purchases seems to be for big businesses who plan on marketing themselves in a major way. Keep reading for a bit more on that.
Can You Start a Business in the Metaverse?
Listen, it’s all well and good that Bill Gates got his rinky-dink little operation into the metaverse. Now, how do you do it?
This is a big question for small business owners and one that we’re looking forward to getting more answers to.
For now, people are already making beaucoup blockchain bucks selling digital art (NFTs).
The best advice would be to start brainstorming ASAP. Anything that can be used, exchanged, or enjoyed in the metaverse is up for grabs. As we’ve established, no one person or company owns it all.
If it so happens your business isn’t suited to conducting operations in the metaverse, you should at least advertise there. It’s the perfect platform for the immersive, info-laden type of marketing younger generations are into.
Are You Ready to Leap Off the Screen and Into the Metaverse?
Adults in the United States are spending more than four hours a day on their mobile devices. Beyond that, there are hours spent at the computer, or in front of the television.
It doesn’t have to be time wasted, but it could be time better spent. We can’t stuff technology back into the box. We can’t move backward and change the structures that keep us on the screen.
But we can help evolve that time into something more enriching, and with all the possibilities, the metaverse may just offer us a chance to do that.
What are your hopes and dreams for the metaverse?