Metavers, the virtual universe so close to the real world

Facebook has changed its name, the platform is now called "Meta" and refers to the metaverse. What is it about?

We hear more and more about the metaverse. This funny word takes its name from the combination of the terms "meta" and "universe" and designates a digital, virtual world, very similar to reality. This term appeared for the first time in 1968, in the science fiction novel by American Daniel F. Galouye: Simulacron. But it was then impossible to imagine that this idea would be realized one day because the technologies allowing it did not exist at the time. We therefore rather place the origin of the metaverse in the 1980s with the appearance of video games integrating avatars, characters representing the virtual doubles of the players.

In the early 2000s, a virtual universe was to become a great success: Second Life. Users can create their character there and make it live in a world they have made from scratch, be it landscapes, buildings, clothes... A virtual currency is even created to allow players to exchange, sell or buy virtual items. They then have the opportunity to convert (transform) this virtual money into real money.

Another world

Now Facebook is going into the metaverse. For the famous social network, it is the "computing platform of the future". He defines it this way: "A set of virtual spaces where you can create and explore with other people who are not in the same physical space as you. You can hang out with friends, work, play, learning, shopping, creating and more".

In other words, living as we do today, but not in reality. Virtually... And this, thanks to technological tools such as virtual or augmented reality glasses or helmets which allow their users, through sounds and images, to be completely "immersed" in another world. Which was not the case with Second Life. We will thus have a virtual double that will allow us to live an "other life" in a fictional universe (which is not reality) more real than nature, without having to leave our homes.

Facebook's wish is to appeal to other senses than sight or hearing. Its leader wants to create sensations, emotions. Of course, the social network alone cannot create the metaverse as it would like. The platform will have to collaborate with others for this parallel life to take place. It could take 10 to 15 years according to experts working on this technology.

Dangers?

im scared to tell my mom abt the pain that im goin thru rk cos i watched the medical procedure on how to unlock you… https://t.co/Pl5kcGwY6u

— shin Wed May 09 11:12:54 +0000 2018

This upcoming new fictional universe raises many questions. There are concerns about the effect the metaverse may have on some people. How do you get out of this virtual world? Doesn't it risk locking people up? What about the security of our personal data? Will the law be able to punish certain behaviors or crimes that happen in the metaverse? All the answers are not yet provided to these questions and only time will allow us to see them more clearly.

What about children? Facebook ensures that, for security, they will not have access to the platform (the minimum age to register on Facebook is 13 years old). But other platforms offering the metaverse are specially dedicated to children. This is the case, for example, of Fortnite (see framed) which continues to multiply the possibilities for players.