Are you curious where technology is going next? Decoding the Metaverse explains where we started (think UseNet groups and AOL) to where we are going soon (the metaverse).
Science fiction has been talking about a completely virtual, digital and 3D world for literally decades. I’m not talking about Meta’s VRChat with disembodied heads either. I’m talking full immersion. So, if you are a gamer like me, you have already travelled into similar environments. But stupid NPCs will soon be replaced by smart AI bots. It will resemble a virtual Westworld.
Of course, there are risks. The author talks of how trust must be built between strangers in a completely virtual world. No offense but we see how well anonymity works in the current internet. Trolls, and even thieves, abound. Still, it is interesting to read about how the underlying systems will work together to run such a complicated environment. Will it be a Shangri la? Probably not. But it’s fun to dream…
There is just one caveat. The book is rather technical. You don’t have to have a degree in computer science, but a logical mind would be helpful.
Overall, 4 stars for Decoding the Metaverse. Let’s all hope a new digital world this dazzling begins soon!
Thanks to Kogan Page and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.