What is the metaverse?

The metaverse is a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of the real and the virtual. It is a hypothetical future internet-like network of shared 3D spaces, connected into a larger internet-like network and accessed by users with virtual reality devices, such as headsets and gloves. The term was coined by science fiction writer Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel Snow Crash, where he described it as a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of the real and the virtual.

In the metaverse, people would be able to interact with each other and with virtual objects and environments in real time, using avatars to represent themselves. These avatars would be highly customizable, allowing users to express their individual identities and personalities. The metaverse would also be home to a wide range of virtual experiences and activities, including gaming, socializing, education, and even work.

One of the key features of the metaverse would be its persistence and continuity. Unlike the current internet, which is made up of discrete pages and sites, the metaverse would be a seamless, interconnected world that users could explore and navigate without interruption. This continuity would be maintained through the use of persistent identities and avatars, as well as by the ability of users to save and share their experiences with others.

The metaverse is still largely a concept at this point, and it is not clear when or if it will become a reality. However, many experts believe that the technological advances needed to create a metaverse are rapidly approaching, and that it is only a matter of time before it becomes a reality. Some even predict that the metaverse will become the primary means by which people interact with each other and with the digital world, potentially replacing the current internet as we know it.