The metaverse is one of those buzzwords that we hear more and more often. Whether it’s the rise of digital art galleries or live virtual concerts – nice one ABBA – the acceptance of the metaverse is fast becoming a social norm. So, let’s answer the question we’ve all been asking – what is the metaverse and what does it mean for me?=

Although the metaverse may sound like a complicated concept, it is actually quite simple. The metaverse can be best understood in relation to the traditional digital experience, rather than scrolling through your Instagram in 2D as we do now, the metaverse is a 3D world, allowing you to ‘walk’ through it with the use of headsets or glasses.  Essentially the metaverse is the immersive next-generation version of the internet!

But how does the metaverse work, you ask? The metaverse is a digitally generated universe that exists exclusively online. This universe – or possibly multiple universes – has been constructed to simulate the real world in which we live. For instance, the metaverse can allow companies to have board meetings in a 3D digital environment instead of traditional ‘in person’ meetings by letting members check into a digital boardroom and interact with each other just as they would in the real world through the use of an avatar. It sure beats having to go to work if you ask me! The metaverse is designed to replicate the real world in a geographically friendly way, allowing individuals from all areas of the globe to interact, buy, sell, and exist online without physical limitations. This is, without doubt, the biggest selling point for the metaverse concept as it allows people to conduct everyday activities like shopping and attending their daily meetings from the comfort of their couch!

The metaverse, although a well-established concept is still very much in its early stages of development. However, experts predict that this won’t be the case for long, as many of the world’s leading tech companies are investing heavily in its construction as they vie to stay relevant in our ever-evolving technological landscape.

The real question, however, is what does this mean for you? Well, at this very moment – probably not a lot unless you are an avid gamer who has already invested in VR headsets. However, it could mean a lot for you in the near future. Experts predict that the implementation of the metaverse will heavily impact how we learn, how we shop, and how we do business. Unless you’re an alien, I’m pretty sure you fit into one of those categories, which means that you will be experiencing the impact of digital reality pretty soon.

So where does all this information leave us? Well, for the most part, it leaves us with bated breath! When will all these concepts become the new normal?  Only time will tell.