Who proposed the concept of the Metaverse?

The "metaverse," a hypothetical successor to the Internet, is a single, universal virtual world facilitated by VR and AR headsets, allowing users to interact with each other and the world through their bodies.

Oct 10, 2024 at 02:30 pm

1. The Concept of the Metaverse

The metaverse is a hypothetical iteration of the Internet as a single, universal virtual world that is facilitated by the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) headsets. In some visions of the metaverse, users experience embodied interaction within that world.

2. Who Proposed the Concept?

The term "metaverse" was coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash. In the novel, the metaverse is a virtual reality-based successor to the Internet that allows users to interact with each other and with computer-generated objects.

3. Key Concepts

Key concepts related to the metaverse include:

• Virtual reality (VR): A computer-generated environment that immerses users in a virtual world, often through the use of a VR headset.
• Augmented reality (AR): A technology that superimposes computer-generated images over a user's view of the real world, often through the use of AR glasses or a smartphone camera.
• Embodied interaction: Allowing users to interact with the virtual world using their own bodies, rather than through a controller or keyboard.

4. Potential Applications

The metaverse has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries, including:

• Gaming: Immersive VR experiences for gaming and entertainment.
• Education: Virtual classrooms and interactive learning environments.
• Social interaction: Social media platforms where users can interact in virtual worlds.
• Business: Virtual meetings, conferences, and training programs.
• Retail: Virtual showrooms and immersive shopping experiences.