Neal Stephenson’s Vision of the Metaverse: From Fiction to Reality
Neal Stephenson, the visionary science fiction author, is no stranger to the concept of the metaverse. In 1992, he introduced the term in his dystopian novel “Snow Crash,” where characters escape the physical world by donning goggles and immersing themselves in a virtual universe. Fast forward to today, and some of the world’s most influential tech companies are striving to bring Stephenson’s vision to life.
Snow Crash’s Influence on Tech Giants
Stephenson’s “Snow Crash” has had a profound impact on the tech industry. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), has openly embraced the metaverse concept, investing billions into its development. Apple and Microsoft are also pursuing this vision, with Apple rumored to unveil a new headset soon. Even Stephenson himself took a stab at it, joining the augmented reality startup Magic Leap, although it didn’t achieve the expected success.
Google Earth developers have cited “Snow Crash” as an inspiration, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos hired Stephenson for his Blue Origin rocket startup. When asked about the influence of his book on tech moguls like Bezos and Zuckerberg, Stephenson recalled hearing about its impact as early as the mid-90s. By the time Google Earth was released in 2001, he realized that tech leaders were taking his vision seriously.
The Reality of the Metaverse
While Stephenson’s metaverse in “Snow Crash” was a means of escaping a dystopian world, the author believes that the real-world metaverse can be neutral. He envisions it as a space where users can create beautiful, detailed virtual homes, despite the potential for garish ads and violent games.
Stephenson predicts that the metaverse will initially be experienced by most people on flat screens, such as TVs or smartphones. While AR/VR goggles offer a more immersive experience, the comfort and familiarity of screens make them a more likely medium for widespread metaverse adoption.
Adapting Stephenson’s Works
Despite the profound influence of his novels, none of Stephenson’s works have been adapted into movies, TV shows, or games. He humorously attributes this to a “curse.” However, there’s hope on the horizon. A book he co-wrote, “The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.,” is in the early stages of being adapted into a TV series.
Looking Ahead: Stephenson’s Concerns for the Future
Stephenson is deeply concerned about two major issues facing society: carbon emissions and the divisive nature of social media. He believes that addressing carbon emissions will be the most significant engineering project in human history. While optimistic about overcoming the carbon challenge, he fears the potential for mass casualty events due to climate change in the coming decade.
Follow me on twitter
https://twitter.com/ivanvankraft
