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The Metaverse is a virtual world made up of multiple interconnected virtual realities. People can interact, play games, explore new worlds and share experiences through a pair of virtual goggles. Although the concept is currently premature, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, seems to think mankind is not far off from heavily integrating themselves into a virtual world. Experiencing simple things in real life and conducting business operations may soon be a relic of the past. This dystopian landscape may seem frightening, but perhaps the metaverse isn’t as daunting as what we might come to expect. 

Coming off the zoom frenzy during COVID, the metaverse may soon be the place that everyone logs into to attend their classes. The return of a virtual learning environment would certainly open up opportunities for schools to offer a different kind of education that is currently restricted by a lack of resources or other obstacles that are simply unrealistic to replicate in a classroom. One of the potential benefactors is nursing programs, as professors and students may be able to conduct experiments or surgeries in the metaverse without the fear of any lasting consequences. 

The metaverse will undoubtedly present new opportunities for people around the world to create all kinds of revenue streams. People are already creating and selling goods online, such as clothing, furniture, or even artwork. This will not only provide a new source of income for people who may not have had access to traditional job opportunities but also allow existing businesses to market and sell their products around the world.  

The benefits of a virtual world being a platform for individuals to accomplish all kinds of things do seem quite promising. But society should not neglect the potential exposure and downside in the wake of a reality where everyone is seemingly connected in the comfort of their own home. 

Addiction is certainly the first item on the list. Like any form of entertainment, people can easily become addicted and spend their whole day living in a virtual world. The implications this has on real-world relationships and responsibilities are not only scary to imagine but can also easily be compounded by a host of physical health issues that come with being inactive in front of a screen for extended periods. 

After speaking to GVU sports member Justin Good, there seemed to be a sense of reservation when it 

came to discussing the metaverse and what this step in technology would mean for the next generation. Privacy was one of the primary concerns Good had. 

“When you have a new flashy thing like the metaverse, you are going to have younger people who want to be a part of it. That can put younger people at risk because they don’t always understand how the internet works,” Good said. 

Privacy seems to be the number one topic of discussion in what already looks like a virtual world due to how quickly technology has moved forward.  As people spend more time on their screens, they may fall victim to sharing their personal information that can be used to track their behaviors and preferences. 

The sheer access and convenience that comes with online purchasing has seen the public spend beyond their means. 

“I already have my card set up with almost all my online purchases. If that is something that gets brought into the metaverse, I think companies will abuse it and take advantage of their customers,” Zach Harris said. Harris is a master’s student at GVU who is experienced with the gaming market and how virtual products are rolled out to its consumers. 

This is already the case in how advertising is presented in today’s world, but the virtual world can be another platform where people are scammed, exploited or blackmailed.  Criminals can create fake identities and avatars to deceive others and engage in fraudulent behavior. 

There is still much to speculate before humanity decides to migrate to a virtual world. There are many great arguments to support its integration, but like any controversial subject, there are also negative aspects to consider. From addiction, and a lack of privacy to exploitation and a disconnection from reality, it’s crucial to be aware and delicate when it comes to accepting the new digital world.