As the continuum of virtual reality continues as public square debate, the metaverse isn’t backing down.
But, the metaverse is a concept, not a person with feelings, is it?
A new Metaverse commercial, by Meta, pushes the idea that the metaverse is not only coming, but preparing to change our lives as we know it.
We can’t state this enough, Meta (Facebook) did not invent the metaverse as they seem to want us to believe. Nor do they own it. There will be a variety of metaverses, all with unique participants and varying rule sets. For example, adult content won’t be found on Facebook’s metaverse. Sexual harassment in the metaverse is already a pronounced issue.
So what metaverse uses will change our lives? The new Meta commercial pushes several narratives and, of course, leaves some out.
There are two main focal points in Meta’s commercial:
Healthcare
There are several ways in which the metaverse may change healthcare as we know it.
For one, using the intense visual world of the metaverse, a surgeon can teach medical students complex procedures, like open heart surgey.
Meta wants to focus on healthcare because, let’s be honest, there’s the potential for a $70 billion market.
Healthcare could experience an evolution not seen in decades, maybe centuries. The metaverse could drive patient care changes. Meta wants to be in the mix of such revenue.
Education
The new Meta commercial focuses on the idea of improved, immersive education.
The example in the commercial uses a history lesson where the student visually experience the point in time.
Colleges and even high schools could revamp curriculums using virtual worlds.
Facebook desires a highly governed metaverse experience. Much like their social media properties, they are making it clear that they will restrict content in their sphere. “Building the metaverse responsibly,” they call it.
Centering their new commercials around education and healthcare initiatives focuses their metaverse on more socially responsible facets. That’s intentional, but it also opens wide a weakness.
People are going to use the metaverse for entertainment. And often, that will mean adult entertainment, such as dating, or having virtual sex. With Facebook leaving this aspect out, it guarantees widespread competition. So their “build responsible” is aimed at appealing to those who want a safer space.
Somewhere, at some point, porn games will exist on a metaverse. Just not Facebook’s.
Facebook’s new commercial line that features healthcare and education likely stem from their fear of failure. They want to center their concept around billion dollar industries as a way to hedge against those betting Facebook’s Meta fails.
One critic who looms large is Reggie Fils-Aime, the former president of Nintendo.
“Facebook itself is not an innovative company.” Fils-Aimes told Bloomberg in March.
“They have either acquired interesting things like Oculus and Instagram, or they’ve been a fast follower of people’s ideas.
“I don’t think their current definition will be successful.”
Zuckerberg, however, feels strongly that the metaverse will become “the primary way that we live our lives and spend our time.”
You can catch that creepy interview here.
The idea that the metaverse will become our primary way of living is nothing short of terrifying. If such becomes anywhere near true, we’re in trouble.
Zuckerberg sounds immensely power hungry at this juncture.
Zuckerberg’s got a couple of things working against his predictions.
- Censorship – Censoring too much content guarantees competition.
- Public Sentiment – People don’t like or trust Zuck.
Those interested in gaming, adult content, and dating, probably won’t use Facebook’s meta. Expect a lot of new Meta commercials trying to appeal to big industries as a way to lock in massive revenue to make up ground on battles they clearly won’t win.