Meta What? Debunking Common Misconceptions About the Metaverse, Together
The metaverse is one of the top five emerging trends and technologies for 2022, and it is estimated that by 2024, it will be worth $72.8 billion. With its imminence comes a new rolodex of terminology in the world of emerging technologies — from NFTs to the blockchain to cryptocurrency. Don’t believe the hype that you have to be a metaverse expert already or that if you have not joined, you’re behind. Experts say that a true metaverse is still years away.
We are here to demystify this new virtual world for you. Here are a few common misconceptions about the metaverse and what a few women in Web3 had to say about them:
1. It’s too difficult to understand.
“I’d like to debunk the misconception that the metaverse is too difficult to understand. It seems ‘techy,’ but it isn’t that hard to learn. There are new terms to understand, but once you have the basics, it is easy to see the potential of growth. The willingness to learn creates a drive for being part of this new industry in its early phases.” — Shawnee Sande, Web3 content creator
2. You need certain skills to get involved.
“Many people are discouraged by the concept of the metaverse, Web3, crypto and other related terms because of it being ‘too technical.’ I hear ‘I’m not a tech person’ a lot. My response is ‘Me neither!’ You don’t really need to be tech advanced to get involved. In fact, it’s the opposite. Web3 really needs people from different backgrounds and skills, as diversity is what drives any industry forward. You actually might surprise yourself by discovering an entirely new passion for something ‘technical’ if you’re open-minded and willing to learn.” — Masha Vyazemskaya, Head of Communications at Rarible
3. It’s only for certain people.
“I want people to understand that the metaverse has space for everyone. There’s so many misconceptions around who can join, who can invest, and who can create. The metaverse is an extension of our real world, but it’s in the digital space where new tech can thrive. It has the potential to connect people globally and bring deeper value to creators and art. It’s a larger ecosystem than people realize with endless opportunities for all.” — Rhea Raj, Web3 music and fashion content creator
4. Its expansion is unlikely or uncertain.
“Some people are still asking if the metaverse is going to be part of our future lives, but they should be asking when. Assimilation is inevitable. Like fire, electricity, internet and AI, the metaverse will become an undeniable part of our everyday routines. Sooner or later, each person will face a choice: to become a part of it by creating something beautiful and meaningful or to become a consumer. My choice is to be the light and to guide women through this truly new and exciting world of Web3.” — Marjana Zaitceva, artist
5. It’s a fad.
“A misconception I would like to debunk is that metaverse and Web3 is a fad. Like it or hate it, it’s here to stay. While we’re still far off from it being fully realized, it’s a technology revolution of our daily routines. The metaverse in many ways is taking Web2 and making it three-dimensional.” — Tracy Lee, digital creator
6. That the metaverse is already here.
“We are far off from a true metaverse. We are building in that direction, but we are several years away. That being said, this is an exciting time and opportunity to get in and help build the future. — Sara Baumann, Artist and Founder of Women & Weapons
Photo by XPS
