Stratechery Metaverses
Aug 3, 2021
The podcast dives into the evolving concept of the metaverse, tracing its roots and impact on the tech landscape. It explores the multifaceted nature of the metaverse, emphasizing real-time engagement and its economic implications. Comparisons are made to Neil Stephenson's 'Snow Crash' and the contemporary visions of major tech companies like Facebook. Themes of digital ownership are discussed, highlighting the dystopian potential and fragmentation due to corporate control. Lastly, the role of the metaverse in shaping community and reality is examined.
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Metaverse vs. Internet
- The key difference between the internet and the metaverse is presence, a concept explored in Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash.
- Matthew Ball defines the metaverse as persistent, synchronous, live, unlimited users, a functioning economy, spanning physical and digital, interoperable, and diversely created.
Facebook's Metaverse Vision
- Snow Crash's metaverse is VR-only because the internet doesn't exist in the book; Zuckerberg's metaverse is broader.
- Facebook's metaverse vision seems like VR rebranded, but it's a worthwhile investment given platform risks.
The Missing Monopolist
- Stephenson's Snow Crash features a single, hands-off metaverse monopolist.
- This contrasts with today's internet, where anyone can set up a server, but faces platform control and content restrictions.
