Web 3.0, the Metaverse, NFT’s, and the like are buzzwords we’re hearing quite a bit. Back in October, Facebook announced their rebranding to the name Meta — a nod to the newest evolution of the internet, the Metaverse.
What Is the Metaverse?
Zuckerberg defines the Metaverse as “the next frontier of social connection.” Facebook’s rebrand to Meta is essentially an intentional step to reframe what we as the public have come to know about what they offer. Most people know Facebook as a social media company, but Zuckerberg contends that Facebook is a technology company at its core.
How does the Metaverse play into this seismic shift for Facebook? Technologies and platforms developed by Meta will focus on experiences that provide a presence for the user. The goal is for the user to feel like they are in the presence of the person or persons they seek to engage online. Practically speaking, the metaverse is a combination of social media and augmented reality.
Key Takeaways & Predictions…
#1: Video is not the final frontier. Digital connection will become more immersive.
The progression of connection online has gone primarily from text to video with the advancement of internet connections and mobile cameras. Zuckerberg anticipates there will be something after video, and it will be much more natural and immersive. Virtual reality for immersive zones. Augmented reality for holograms.
#2: Augmented Reality Glasses
In the next five years, we’ll see normal-looking glasses that project holograms into the world. Sounds interesting, right? What does that look like for the everyday consumer? Gary makes an interesting parallel to this with the Pokémon Go craze that was all the rage a few years back.
#3: Public Announcements Can Be Used As A Recruiting Tool
In response to Gary Vee’s question about the very public announcement and commitment to the Metaverse space, Zuckerberg states,
“I just think that when you plant a flag and say that you’re gonna go do something, you get haters and criticisms. You also get the people who actually care about that thing.”
-Mark Zuckerberg
#4: Social Currency In the Metaverse
Vaynerchuck makes the case that the Metaverse world will be like living in the fashion industry because so much of our identity is communicated in what we wear. Combine that with what Twitter and Facebook have done with the blue checkmark for verification, and we have what Gary describes as the extremity of the NFT space — the confluence of commerce and expression.
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