Making a case for virtual spaces

Recently, I was discussing with a peer about the future of virtual spaces - the metaverse, augmented reality, virtual reality, all of it - and whether it is a technology worth pursuing.

?He asked plainly, “what does this technology enable?”?

All I could think about was what other companies were saying about this space. Meta’s and Microsoft’s quest to revolutionize collaboration. Roblox and the potential for education and community growth using their decentralized platform.?

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2021/11/10/metaverse-what-is-it-explained-facebook-microsoft-meta-vr/6337635001/?

There was surely more, right??

So what does this technology enable???

I was stumped.?

Fast forward to 2 AM in the morning when I get my best ideas. I abruptly wake up, and my thoughts are flashing before me like flipping through channels on cable tv or trying to keep up with my teenage daughter’s feed on TikTok. Faceless avatars, a doctor with a VR set training for a surgery, the countless Roblox mods my Coder Kids created using code. Meta, Microsoft, Roblox. VR, AR, 3D.?????

My brain was trying to piece together what I was missing. What can we do with this technology that we cannot do today? Where is the revolution??

Then it hit me. What does this technology enable??

1) Levels up the idea of universal accessibility

Echoing Google here, I thought about their mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. How cool would it be if when people search for something on Google, they have the option to enter a virtual space to accommodate a need, in the way a ranked list of sites cannot do today?

For example, someone who is deaf wants to experience the beauty of classical music and types in “Beethoven's greatest hits”. In addition to getting a list of YouTube playlists and search results for music platforms, they can join a virtual space designed for the deaf community.?

Mirroring Roblox, imagine a place where they can guide their avatar to press Play on a button titled Symphony 5 in C Minor. Where the hearing-abled are immersed in sound, people who are deaf can be immersed in rainbows of light where colors represent notes. Haptic gloves or haptic suits help them feel the vibration of the music. Old art made new in a space unique to them.?

Source: https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/michelle-chimwanda-357367128_blender-activity-6885999781915836416-DZK7?

YES! I felt I finally found something meaningful. I had my a-ha moment.?

And this got me thinking…?

I am creating these virtual spaces in my head. Stay with me.?

When we use our imagination, we are creating a near-perfect virtual space. So how could bringing our thoughts to life bring good to the world?

2) Beneficial to our mental health?

Virtual spaces may be a powerful tool to deal with anxiety. Anxiety is caused by fear of the unknown. How empowering would it be to create virtual spaces that allow people to “live” their fears and realize they’ll be ok.?

Take a person who is afraid of spiders. Increase their exposure to spiders, starting with a picture, video, replica and then a virtual space where a person can, once they are ready, enter a room full of spiders and pet them, dance with them, whatever helps. If they cannot touch a spider in the virtual space, lower the resolution until it’s just a blob and work up from there, gradually improving the fidelity until the user is an expert.?

The potential here is endless. Give presentations in front of the Old Apollo Theater. Talk to your boss about your next promotion. Jump out of a plane before you jump out of a plane.?

So these spaces can help heal. Can it help create??

3) Inspire creativity?

Imagine creating spaces to inspire you. Think of a blank canvas, similar to Janet’s void in the Good Place. Now make it your own to explore and create in deep, deep thought.?

Janet’s void. Source: https://www.eonline.com/news/994192/the-good-place-gave-us-so-many-janets-and-it-was-perfect

A musician trying to come up with a new meaningful song. She sits and plays on the guitar, playing nothing and everything, trying to conjure up some inspiration. Blocked, she goes outside, changes her environment, hears birds sing, hears cars moving, closes her eyes and imagines what the Amazon forest would sound like. Then she has an idea. She runs back inside and starts playing a melody inspired by what she saw right outside her door.?

Virtual spaces can do that on a whole other level.?

“Google add birds … no, make them angry… toucans… and put them next to the volcano?” We could even get funky and add an artificial brain to introduce some randomness to the scene and the soundscape. The artist can tease out the valuable bits to make something truly innovative.??

We can’t all be like Paul McCartney composing a hit single in five minutes out?of nothing. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07q95KiVguc?

So, it’s 3 am and to finally answer my friend’s question, “what does this technology enable?” It enables us to unlock human potential. I’d say it’s worth the investment.