Tag: virtual reality

The Metaverse 101 – Digital Buzzwords 2022

Breaking down the metaverse, digital real estate and NFTs

Facebook has been travelling a rocky road over the past few years and the end of 2021 was no different with the announcement of a name change. The app’s parent company, now named Meta, is hoping to repeat the success of its early years as a pioneer of technology. It wasn’t long before a new buzzword – the Metaverse – started doing the rounds, and it has people in the tech industry both excited and disturbed.

It’s not easy to keep up to date with everything that’s happening in the tech world nowadays. If you haven’t caught up with this new trend, here’s what you need to know about the Metaverse and how you can find your place in it as the internet evolves yet again.

breaking down the metaverse 101

The word Metaverse may be a recent buzzword, but it was coined back in the 1990s in a sci-fi novel by Neal Stephensen called Snow Crash. In the book, characters plug into a virtual reality rig featuring goggles, headphones, and controllers and spend hours each day living virtual lives.

Fast forward to 2022, and what used to be science fiction now sounds like reality for many of us – especially the under-40s.

  • Today’s Metaverse is the latest evolution of the internet, featuring full integration of online work, entertainment, the digital currency economy, and the blurring of lines between our physical and digital lives.
  • Web 2.0, which came to exist in the age of social media, threw us headfirst into a digital life with more and more people spending a significant part of the day scrolling Instagram, making YouTube and TickTock videos, and following their favourite influencer the way people used to follow Hollywood celebrities a generation ago.
  • The Metaverse also promises to give internet users full control of their personal data by encrypting it and decentralising it, thereby keeping it out of the hands of digital giants like Google, Facebook, and others.

life in the metaverse: what to expect

The pandemic and the lockdown lifestyle that it brought about has given rise to a wave of virtual living as people stay home, quit their jobs, and find new ways of thriving in the online realm.

Virtual work aside, the rise of virtual play and virtual finance have been major features of the past few years.

  • NFTs**, unique digital images stored in Blockchain which are selling for record-high prices, are redefining both the fine art and investment markets.
  • Recently it was reported that NFT images of Rolexes are selling for more than the original watch, showing just how remarkable this trend is.

**Sorry – for those of you wondering what on earth we are talking about here – an NFT is a Non-fungible token. None the wiser? Yah, neither are we (in all honesty) but basically, ‘non-fungible’ is something unique that can’t be replaced by anything else. Bitcoin for example, is fungible and you can trade it for another bitcoin, but a unique trading card is irreplaceable – trade it for another card and you get, well – another card!

And then, just as we are getting the hang of it, we have to wonder: what’s the point of owning a virtual watch that doesn’t even tell the time? For today’s on-trend citizens of the Metaverse 101, NFTs can provide some much-needed bling for their virtual properties.

online real estate

Yes, you read right – virtual online real estate is big business this year. Virtual spaces like Decentraland have been offering digital plots for sale where users can build houses and interact with their neighbours online.

Before investing in the Metaverse with your hard-mined Bitcoin though, you may want to consider that you’re not buying real property.

With an infinite amount of land available in the Metaverse, your digital home may not appreciate reliably over time – but there’s nothing stopping you from making a nice profit on that NFT image you bought on a whim.

secure data storage essential for future digital lives

With a new world of possibilities opening up online, securing your personal data has become an essential aspect of daily life. Our range of cloud storage solutions will help keep your vital info safe and encrypted in the cloud while you dabble in the metaverse!

The Known & Unknown Risks of Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality (VR) is aptly described as an immersive experience. Many people perhaps don’t know that the very first VR prototype came out in the 1960s. Back then, it was mostly misunderstood and considered a type of science fiction. Nowadays, virtual reality can provide a realistic experience by using software to produce an artificial scene that fully envelopes the senses of sight and sound. The hardware used for sight and sound deliver a 3-D experience that alters as you interact with it.

Currently, VR is making a difference in various industries where it’s used effectively for:

  • Education
  • Entertainment (computer and console games)
  • Health care
  • Transport
  • Science

The Benefits & Convenience of VR

There are many benefits to virtual reality. In fact, these are punted far more than the possible risks. What could be more alluring than being able to submerge yourself in another dimension where everything is artificial but looks and feels real? It’s escapism in its highest form. And it’s not just about escapism; it’s also experiential.

VR can bring a world of convenience to many people. The elderly person unable to travel – VR can provide a full tour experience in real-time. The disabled child who is unable to go on a field trip or participate in sport – VR can make it possible for said disabled child to do both, without having to get out of their seat. The student who is unable to travel into varsity for a day, or without the budget for transport – can now attend VR classes from home or a nearby Internet café. The immersive technology of VR can help people to overcome fears and phobias as they experience their fears in the controlled environment of VR. Yes, the benefits and conveniences are well documented, but what are the risks?

Risks of VR

  • Possible risk of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Because VR is so immersive, it can cause distress on the brain and emotions. Consider the teenager who gets his hands on virtual reality hardware and software to play the latest console game or movie, where the bloodshed and tragedy reach new (modern accepted) levels. Now, instead of being on the outside of the situation, watching all of this unfold on a screen in front of him, he is right in the middle of the action. The trauma is happening virtually, all around him. Some websites suggest guidelines for developers to follow when creating VR content, but the risk of PTSD still exists.

  • Compromise of Human Relationships

When students choose to attend VR classes rather than attending lectures, and people become addicted to VR console games, it puts the authenticity of human relationships and connections at risk. As people start to immerse themselves more and more into virtual reality, they begin to experience a “disconnect” with those around them.

  • Health Risks of Virtual Reality

There are several health risks and issues associated with virtual reality. Of course, these don’t affect everyone, but there are records of it. These include:

  • Nausea and dizziness
  • Anxiety
  • Eyestrain
  • Possible radiation exposure

Is Virtual Reality a Risk to You?

The variations of VR hardware and software coming onto the market are complicated. If used incorrectly or by the wrong person, they can put themselves at risk or trauma, anxiety and even health concerns. It is important to ensure that you are aware of both the benefits and risks of using Virtual Reality so that you can do so responsibly.

What is your experience with Virtual Reality? Have you tried it out and have you ever considered that you could be at risk? We’d like to know what you think.

Classroom reality – could it be virtual reality?

If you have ever read a book and wished you could literally immerse yourself into the story, then you have had a taste of what virtual reality can do for the average person. Imagine being able to have a truly personal experience when reading a book, or a studying a subject. Continue reading Classroom reality – could it be virtual reality?