Metaverse: A Blessing Or a Curse for Diversity?

Recently, the word “Metaverse” burst on the internet and caught a lot of attention as many started to refer to it as a buzzword. Although it seems to be something new, the concept of the Metaverse was already introduced back in 1992, in a science fiction novel where the characters interacted through a three-dimensional virtual reality. The word itself is a combination of “meta” and “universe”. Meta comes from Greek and it means “beyond”.

Thus, etymologically, Metaverse can be interpreted as something beyond reality, beyond what we understand as human interaction and society, and, without further misinterpretation, it is pretty much what it means. The purpose of the Metaverse is to take a step forward and augment what years of internet interaction built, creating 3D spaces or data layers that uncover entirely new ways to connect with others.

From what seems like a bold goal to fulfill, Metaverse creates two opposite groups: the ones who deify the Metaverse, believing blindly that it will revolutionize society in such a positive way. On the other side, people who are a bit more cautious, arguing that the good can come at a cost, especially when it comes to diversity and inclusivity.

On the edge of culture shifts, people tend to tackle situations in a very Manichean way: either something is utterly good or bad. As if the world presents to us as binary: black or white, right or wrong. However, that’s not quite how life works and the purpose here is to explore this topic a little bit wider.

Now is the right time to be discussing and advocating on how diversity and inclusion manifest in the Metaverse. I personally understand the fear in the headlines of potential harassment and violence to minorities like the LGBTQ+ community. The Metaverse should not be a place where hate becomes more powerful. But the fears of “what might be” need to be placed next to the reality of “right now”.

Something that I’ve been dwelling on a lot lately is how the promise of the metaverse is juxtaposed with our experience in real life. For many, the real world is not a place for them to be who they truly are.

What if the real world isn’t safe?

What if you can’t find anyone around you who can rely on or who helps you feel accepted? According to the BBC, “there are 69 countries that have laws that criminalise homosexuality”. Said another way, it is illegal and with a heavy consequence to be who you truly are to anyone — your family, your colleagues, your friends.

In Brazil, the life expectancy of a transgender person is just 35 years old. To a lot of the LGBTQ+ community, day-to-day living is an act of resistance. To them, expressing who they really are in the streets can be seen as a crime, as an abomination, and, sometimes, something impossible, totally outside the realm of possibility.

The feeling of belonging

Where the structures of the physical world were limited, the internet provided a channel for those marginalised groups. We’ve been able to find peers that real life could never bring to us. With online groups, people could interact with others as the person they truly are. If diversity means something, it is above all being able to express yourself in the most genuine way, not as people expect you to be. To me, even when you don’t interact directly with someone on the internet it doesn’t mean you’re not being helped. At the end of the day, the Internet amplifies the sense of representation and representation does matter.

On a daily basis, you’re judged by your voice tone, your hair, the way you express yourself — constantly being questioned about your competence and potential. In the streets, people stare at you, whispering their disapproval, frowning upon every little detail that makes you the way you are. It’s overwhelming. When you don’t live in a big city then, it can be even worse, and this lack of representation hits you hard.

The real world isn’t always kind and gentle, and the Internet can help with that. You get in touch with different stories, different perspectives, and different ways of expression — and that is incredibly powerful. Whether it is talking to someone, or just watching a video from someone you admire, it inspires you to keep moving forward and feeling you’re not alone, you’re part of something bigger, part of a community and that’s the beauty of diversity.

In 2017, Stonewall, together with the Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge, conducted a study with over 3,700 students in Britain’s schools and 90% of them said they could be themselves online. Not only that, 93% said the Internet has helped to find advice and support. One person shared: “Being on the Internet has allowed me to be myself completely, unlike in real life. At school, I feel like I’m not myself at all, but on the Internet, I have many friends and they’re all supportive.”

Building on the need for connection and belonging that was uncovered in the current version of the internet, the Metaverse can add a lot. By a full immersion, people can feel closer, more welcomed, and free to express themselves.

Side effects of extended realities

But do we want everyone to be their true selves? While there are those that find comfort in being able to be who they truly are, there are others, hiding behind anonymity, who can test the boundaries of expression for good and evil. This is prevalent on platforms where bullying, doxing, hatred, and harassment have set the mental model of what the Metaverse might amplify.

However, this shouldn’t let our fear of today completely prohibit the benefits of what the Metaverse could bring. Rejecting the Metaverse deprives people of something they could benefit from.

The Metaverse will be, in many ways, a reflection of human behaviours, the good and the bad, but the main point is that it enables connections that real life could possibly never provide. It shortens physical distances and makes it easier and even possible to meet individuals who make you feel accepted for who you are.

Assuming our protagonism

Considering all of these, the Metaverse can surely serve a good purpose to many individuals, giving and amplifying their voices whilst creating a safe place as many already are doing on the internet today. Just look at the tons of communities on Reddit that were created to welcome and provide support to LGBTQ+ people. The priority, therefore, has to be how we can break negative manifestations online and in the Metaverse instead of spreading the idea that we can’t do anything about it.

To guarantee safety in the Metaverse, we do have to debate and act. We have to include everyone not only as consumers of these spaces but also as integral parts of its creation process which Web3.0 is built on and what makes decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs) thrive. The Metaverse has to bring people together, bring colour, bring shelter to many.

It’s not about the mistakes of the past, but how we can learn from them and use them as a driving force that pushes us ahead. As technology evolves and culture shifts are happening right in front of us, we may only have two options: stick to the status quo or create something meaningful, powerful, and inclusive. For all the years society has taken away from minorities, it’s our duty to do it better.

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Just a physicist engineer wandering somewhere between Physics, Data and Literature. Follow me on Linkedin