The novel Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson, not only provides the conceptual elements that allow us to understand the multiple dimensions of the metaverse concept, but also proposes a practical implementation model, applicable to the real world.

Another aspect that stands out about Stephenson's work is its anachronistic anticipation, since he wrote it before it could be put into practice in cyberspace. That is to say, at the time of its publication, the concept could be described as a vision of the future that could not be materialized at that point in history. It could be said that the work proposed by Stephenson defines, prospectively, the mechanisms and requirements necessary for the implementation and consolidation of metaverses.

In the work of Neal Stephenson, the metaverse is presented to its users as an urban environment, developed around a single 100-meter-wide road called the Street that runs completely around the 65,536 km (2 km) circumference of a perfect black sphere, lacking in detail.

The virtual state belongs to the Global Multimedia Protocol Group, which is the fictitious division of the Association for Computing Machinery, and is available to be purchased, and then build buildings there. Being a virtual reality that does not have to obey the laws of physics, the size and shape of the buildings are subject only to the will of those who build it (and the space they can buy, obviously), and it is possible to hire architects to design them or design them themselves, if they do not have the necessary money or if they do not have the courage to do so.

Users of the metaverse access it through personal terminals that project a high-quality virtual reality image on glasses worn by the user, or through public terminals in booths, which offer a low-quality, black-and-white, grainy image.

Stephenson also describes a subculture of people who prefer to be constantly connected to portable terminals, wearing glasses and other equipment. They call these types of people "gargoyles" due to their grotesque appearance. Users live their experience in first person.

Within the metaverse, individual users appear as icons ("Avatar (Internet)" avatars) in any form, with the only restriction being height, "to prevent, for example, people from being a mile tall." Transportation in the metaverse is limited to what exists in reality, on foot or by vehicle (for example, the monorail, which runs along the entire Street stopping at 256 express stops -Express Ports-, located at intervals of 256 km, or at local stops -Local Ports-, located one kilometer from each other); Those with programming knowledge can create their own vehicles (motorcycles, for example) capable of reaching enormous speeds because they are not affected by the laws of physics or thermodynamics of the real world.

Edward Castronova"), professor of Economics and Telecommunications at Indiana University, has carried out studies on metaverses,[23]​ in which he identifies three fundamental characteristics:

If the concept of metaverse is analyzed from a broader sense than the definition of virtual world that Stephenson gave it in 1991, we can distinguish the different synthetic worlds, as belonging to four different types.

Second Life (abbreviated SL, in Spanish 'second life') is a virtual community launched in June 2003, developed by Linden Lab"), available to users for free on the Internet. Its users, known as "residents&action=edit&redlink=1 "Resident (Second Life) (not yet written)")", can access it by using one of the multiple interface programs called viewers (viewers), which allow them interact with each other through an avatar "Avatar (Internet)"). Residents can thus explore the virtual world, interact with other residents, establish social relationships, participate in various activities both individually and in groups and create and trade virtual property") and offer services to each other. SL is intended for people over 18 years of age.

Although very limited in its graphic interfaces, Second Life is considered one of the first massive experiences of the applied use of metaverses or metauniverses, managing to consolidate in a short time a successful community of users, with extended uses that go beyond entertainment, consolidating in fields such as education.[7]​ In 2007, an exhibition of Argentine art was held in Second Life, an initiative of the company Argentonia.[24]​.

For academic Israel Márques, the study of the complex dynamics between avatars, users, the Second Life platform and the metaverse itself, consolidated new avenues of research for the study of the possibilities and challenges of education in the 20th century.

The possibility of extramural education,[25]​ that is, outside the classroom, was proposed in the 1960s by Marshall McLuhan, who proposed the concept of "The classroom without walls" in the text: "The classroom without walls: research on communication techniques",[26]​ a concept with which he proposed rethinking education beyond the walls of the school, that is, beyond the formal institutions of education.[26]​.

Thanks to digital technology and phenomena such as web 2.0, augmented reality and virtual reality, there are important projects that materialize the use of metaverses applied in the field of education, collecting many of the approaches proposed at the time by Marshall McLuhan, as has been happening with the initiative presented by the controversial businessman Mark Zuckerberg, who decided to bet on metaverses, to the point that he decided to change the name of his Facebook conglomerate. by Meta.[27]​.

Some of the possible uses that metaverses could have in educational experiences are:

Contenido

En el texto Metauniversos el Internet del Futuro,[10]​ el experto académico en transformación digital: Gabriel E. Levy B,[29]​ afirma que uno de los mayores impactos que traerá los metaversos para la humanidad, no será necesariamente en el terreno del entretenimiento, en donde por supuesto tiene un espacio ganado por su naturaleza, sino que posiblemente el mayor impacto se dará en la economía digital, ya sea a través del creciente mercado de los Token No Fungibles NFT,[11]​ el mundo de la simulación inmobiliaria, el diseño de ciudades inteligentes,[30]​ el mercado del arte digital, o simplemente el comercio minorista de cualquier tipo de producto, factor que se verá potenciado por el acelerado crecimiento de la implementación de tecnologías digitales luego de la pandemia de 2020.[10]​.

De igual forma para Levy Bravo,[29]​ las compañías como Facebook (ahora Meta Platforms[31]​*)* o Google serán uno de los mayores potenciadores de la implementación de los metaversos*,* no solo por su músculo financiero, cantidad de usuarios o mecanismos de financiación, sino por la experiencia en la innovación en el sector TI, lo cual muy probablemente le permitirá estas compañías liderar el desarrollo e implementación de las tecnologías asociadas a los metaversos*,* muy seguramente antes que cualquier otro centro de investigación u Organización Global, lo cual representa un gran riesgo de monopolización:.

The blockchain-powered crypto metaverse

The crypto-metaverse refers to interconnected digital environments, powered by blockchain, where users, represented as avatars in digital landscapes, interact using cryptocurrencies, enabling the purchase and sale of various digital assets such as virtual land, avatar objects and other digital goods.[32]​ Ownership of digital assets is often represented in the form of non-fungible tokens.[33]​ Companies use the crypto-metaverse to promote products and services and facilitate consumer engagement with brands.[34]​ For example, consumers can purchase digital items at Gucci Town,[35]​ Vans World,[36]​ Nikeland[37]​ and Ralph Lauren Winter Escape[38]​ in the Roblox crypto-metaverse; attend virtual Dolce & Gabbana fashion shows in the Decentraland crypto-metaverse;[39]​ and participate in exclusive virtual parties with Snoop Dogg[40]​ or Paris Hilton[41]​ in the Sandbox crypto-metaverse.

Research shows that the metaverse real estate economy resembles that of physical real estate, achieving premium valuations near major landmarks, famous owners, memorable addresses, and busy streets.[40]​[42]​ In December 2021, an investor paid $450,000 for a parcel of digital real estate next to Snoop Dogg's virtual mansion in Sandbox.[43]​ Research shows that crypto-metaverse investors can be classified into four main groups: those attracted to aesthetics and identity through self-expression and innovation; those seeking social connections and community engagement; those who focus on speculation and investment; and those interested in technological innovation and disruption[42]​ As of August 2023, the crypto-metaverse has a market capitalization ranging between $7 billion and $12 billion.[44]​[45]​ Previously, financial projections varied widely: J.P. Morgan estimated in October 2022 that the metaverse would become a $1 trillion opportunity. dollars,[46]​ McKinsey anticipated a valuation of $5 trillion in June 2022,[47]​ and Citigroup projected an opportunity of between $8 and $13 trillion.[48]​.

Over time, there have been several software implementations of the presented concept of "metaverse", with a greater or lesser degree of similarity.

What is the Metaverse?

Metaverse, virtual economies, blockchain and web3.

The novel Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson, not only provides the conceptual elements that allow us to understand the multiple dimensions of the metaverse concept, but also proposes a practical implementation model, applicable to the real world.

Another aspect that stands out about Stephenson's work is its anachronistic anticipation, since he wrote it before it could be put into practice in cyberspace. That is to say, at the time of its publication, the concept could be described as a vision of the future that could not be materialized at that point in history. It could be said that the work proposed by Stephenson defines, prospectively, the mechanisms and requirements necessary for the implementation and consolidation of metaverses.

In the work of Neal Stephenson, the metaverse is presented to its users as an urban environment, developed around a single 100-meter-wide road called the Street that runs completely around the 65,536 km (2 km) circumference of a perfect black sphere, lacking in detail.

The virtual state belongs to the Global Multimedia Protocol Group, which is the fictitious division of the Association for Computing Machinery, and is available to be purchased, and then build buildings there. Being a virtual reality that does not have to obey the laws of physics, the size and shape of the buildings are subject only to the will of those who build it (and the space they can buy, obviously), and it is possible to hire architects to design them or design them themselves, if they do not have the necessary money or if they do not have the courage to do so.

Users of the metaverse access it through personal terminals that project a high-quality virtual reality image on glasses worn by the user, or through public terminals in booths, which offer a low-quality, black-and-white, grainy image.

Stephenson also describes a subculture of people who prefer to be constantly connected to portable terminals, wearing glasses and other equipment. They call these types of people "gargoyles" due to their grotesque appearance. Users live their experience in first person.

Within the metaverse, individual users appear as icons ("Avatar (Internet)" avatars) in any form, with the only restriction being height, "to prevent, for example, people from being a mile tall." Transportation in the metaverse is limited to what exists in reality, on foot or by vehicle (for example, the monorail, which runs along the entire Street stopping at 256 express stops -Express Ports-, located at intervals of 256 km, or at local stops -Local Ports-, located one kilometer from each other); Those with programming knowledge can create their own vehicles (motorcycles, for example) capable of reaching enormous speeds because they are not affected by the laws of physics or thermodynamics of the real world.

Edward Castronova"), professor of Economics and Telecommunications at Indiana University, has carried out studies on metaverses,[23]​ in which he identifies three fundamental characteristics:

If the concept of metaverse is analyzed from a broader sense than the definition of virtual world that Stephenson gave it in 1991, we can distinguish the different synthetic worlds, as belonging to four different types.

Second Life (abbreviated SL, in Spanish 'second life') is a virtual community launched in June 2003, developed by Linden Lab"), available to users for free on the Internet. Its users, known as "residents&action=edit&redlink=1 "Resident (Second Life) (not yet written)")", can access it by using one of the multiple interface programs called viewers (viewers), which allow them interact with each other through an avatar "Avatar (Internet)"). Residents can thus explore the virtual world, interact with other residents, establish social relationships, participate in various activities both individually and in groups and create and trade virtual property") and offer services to each other. SL is intended for people over 18 years of age.

Although very limited in its graphic interfaces, Second Life is considered one of the first massive experiences of the applied use of metaverses or metauniverses, managing to consolidate in a short time a successful community of users, with extended uses that go beyond entertainment, consolidating in fields such as education.[7]​ In 2007, an exhibition of Argentine art was held in Second Life, an initiative of the company Argentonia.[24]​.

For academic Israel Márques, the study of the complex dynamics between avatars, users, the Second Life platform and the metaverse itself, consolidated new avenues of research for the study of the possibilities and challenges of education in the 20th century.

The possibility of extramural education,[25]​ that is, outside the classroom, was proposed in the 1960s by Marshall McLuhan, who proposed the concept of "The classroom without walls" in the text: "The classroom without walls: research on communication techniques",[26]​ a concept with which he proposed rethinking education beyond the walls of the school, that is, beyond the formal institutions of education.[26]​.

Thanks to digital technology and phenomena such as web 2.0, augmented reality and virtual reality, there are important projects that materialize the use of metaverses applied in the field of education, collecting many of the approaches proposed at the time by Marshall McLuhan, as has been happening with the initiative presented by the controversial businessman Mark Zuckerberg, who decided to bet on metaverses, to the point that he decided to change the name of his Facebook conglomerate. by Meta.[27]​.

Some of the possible uses that metaverses could have in educational experiences are:

Contenido

En el texto Metauniversos el Internet del Futuro,[10]​ el experto académico en transformación digital: Gabriel E. Levy B,[29]​ afirma que uno de los mayores impactos que traerá los metaversos para la humanidad, no será necesariamente en el terreno del entretenimiento, en donde por supuesto tiene un espacio ganado por su naturaleza, sino que posiblemente el mayor impacto se dará en la economía digital, ya sea a través del creciente mercado de los Token No Fungibles NFT,[11]​ el mundo de la simulación inmobiliaria, el diseño de ciudades inteligentes,[30]​ el mercado del arte digital, o simplemente el comercio minorista de cualquier tipo de producto, factor que se verá potenciado por el acelerado crecimiento de la implementación de tecnologías digitales luego de la pandemia de 2020.[10]​.

De igual forma para Levy Bravo,[29]​ las compañías como Facebook (ahora Meta Platforms[31]​*)* o Google serán uno de los mayores potenciadores de la implementación de los metaversos*,* no solo por su músculo financiero, cantidad de usuarios o mecanismos de financiación, sino por la experiencia en la innovación en el sector TI, lo cual muy probablemente le permitirá estas compañías liderar el desarrollo e implementación de las tecnologías asociadas a los metaversos*,* muy seguramente antes que cualquier otro centro de investigación u Organización Global, lo cual representa un gran riesgo de monopolización:.

The blockchain-powered crypto metaverse

The crypto-metaverse refers to interconnected digital environments, powered by blockchain, where users, represented as avatars in digital landscapes, interact using cryptocurrencies, enabling the purchase and sale of various digital assets such as virtual land, avatar objects and other digital goods.[32]​ Ownership of digital assets is often represented in the form of non-fungible tokens.[33]​ Companies use the crypto-metaverse to promote products and services and facilitate consumer engagement with brands.[34]​ For example, consumers can purchase digital items at Gucci Town,[35]​ Vans World,[36]​ Nikeland[37]​ and Ralph Lauren Winter Escape[38]​ in the Roblox crypto-metaverse; attend virtual Dolce & Gabbana fashion shows in the Decentraland crypto-metaverse;[39]​ and participate in exclusive virtual parties with Snoop Dogg[40]​ or Paris Hilton[41]​ in the Sandbox crypto-metaverse.

Research shows that the metaverse real estate economy resembles that of physical real estate, achieving premium valuations near major landmarks, famous owners, memorable addresses, and busy streets.[40]​[42]​ In December 2021, an investor paid $450,000 for a parcel of digital real estate next to Snoop Dogg's virtual mansion in Sandbox.[43]​ Research shows that crypto-metaverse investors can be classified into four main groups: those attracted to aesthetics and identity through self-expression and innovation; those seeking social connections and community engagement; those who focus on speculation and investment; and those interested in technological innovation and disruption[42]​ As of August 2023, the crypto-metaverse has a market capitalization ranging between $7 billion and $12 billion.[44]​[45]​ Previously, financial projections varied widely: J.P. Morgan estimated in October 2022 that the metaverse would become a $1 trillion opportunity. dollars,[46]​ McKinsey anticipated a valuation of $5 trillion in June 2022,[47]​ and Citigroup projected an opportunity of between $8 and $13 trillion.[48]​.

Over time, there have been several software implementations of the presented concept of "metaverse", with a greater or lesser degree of similarity.

What is the Metaverse?

Metaverse, virtual economies, blockchain and web3.