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Rooting his vision in history and psychology, Narula argues that our need for autonomy, accomplishment and connection can best be met in virtual ‘worlds of ideas’, where users have the chance to create and exchange meaning and value. Rigorously researched and passionately argued, Virtual Society is a provocative and essential guide for anyone who wants to go beyond superficial headlines to understand the full implications of our digital future.

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‘A fascinating, provocative case’ ADAM GRANT ‘Big and convincing’ ARIANNA HUFFINGTON

HERMAN NARULA 26/06/2023 12:11

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Herman Narula

I S B N 978-0-241-61660-4

The Metaverse and the New Frontiers of Human Experience

But, as pioneering technologist Herman Narula shows, the metaverse is only the latest manifestation of an ancient human tendency: the act of worldbuilding. From the Egyptians, whose conception of death inspired them to construct the pyramids, to modern-day sport fans, whose passion for a game inspires ritualistic devotion, humans have long sought to supplement their day-to-day existence with a rich diversity of alternative experiences.

VIRTUAL SOCIETY

With an increasing number of people seeking a complementary virtual space for work, gaming, cultural experiences and interpersonal interactions, it is clear that the metaverse is evolving into an indispensable facet of how we live today.

Designer

VIRTUAL SOCIETY ‘A fascinating, provocative case that the metaverse will not merely transform our virtual experiences – it may actually enrich the quality of our lives’ Adam Grant, number one New York Times bestselling author of Think Again ‘Brimming with big and convincing arguments about where human life is heading’ Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive ‘This mind-expanding, vitally important book blows through superficial takes’ Marc Andreessen, co-founder and general partner of Andreessen Horowitz

ab ou t t h e au th or Herman Narula is the co-founder and CEO of Improbable, a London-based technology company. A graduate of Cambridge University, where he studied computer science, he has been featured by Wired, the Financial Times, CNBC, the Economist, the New Statesman and Bloomberg. His TED Talk ‘The Transformative Power of Video Games’ has been viewed over 1.8 million times.

VIRTUAL SOCIETY HER M A N N A R UL A

P EN GU I N B O O K S

PENGUIN BOOKS UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia India | New Zealand | South Africa Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.

First published in the United States of America by Currency, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC 2022 First published in Great Britain by Penguin Business 2022 Published in Penguin Books 2023 001 Copyright © Herman Narula, 2022 The moral right of the author has been asserted Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A. The authorized representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978–0–241–61660–4

www.greenpenguin.co.uk Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.

To Elsa, for whom all worlds open

Contents Contents Introduction Introduction

ixix

CHAPTER CHAPTER1:1:

33

Ancient AncientMetaverses Metaverses CHAPTER CHAPTER2:2:

3131

Work, Work,Play, Play,and andthe thePurpose PurposeofofFree FreeTime Time CHAPTER CHAPTER3:3:

5555

Better BetterExperiences Experiencesfor forBetter BetterLiving Living CHAPTER CHAPTER4:4:

8181

A AFramework Frameworkfor forComplexity ComplexityininVirtual VirtualWorlds Worlds CHAPTER CHAPTER5:5:

106 106

A ANetwork NetworkofofMeaning Meaning CHAPTER CHAPTER6:6:

132 132

Building Buildinga aValuable ValuableMetaverse: Metaverse:The TheExchange Exchange CHAPTER CHAPTER7:7:

158 158

Virtual VirtualJobs Jobsand andthe theFulfi Fulfi llment llmentEconomy Economy CHAPTER CHAPTER8:8:

187 187

The TheTyrants Tyrantsand andthe theCommons Commons CHAPTER CHAPTER9:9:

215 215

OnOnSpeciation Speciation Acknowledgments Acknowledgments A ANote NoteononSources Sources Index Index

239 239 241 241 249 249

Introduction Introduction

One Oneday daythis thisbook bookwill willbeberead readbybya person a personwithout withouta body. a body.

ThTh is isprediction predictionwill willalmost almostcertainly certainlycome cometrue truebefore beforethe the end end ofof the the twentytwentyfirst first century, century, perhaps perhaps even even byby 2040.

2040.

Consider: Consider: We Wealready alreadyknow knowwith withsome someconfi confi dence dencethat thatthe themind mindis isa amamachine chine that that processes processes information. information.

Connecting Connecting it it toto a computer— a computer— one onewith withthe thecapacity capacitytotosimulate simulateananentire entireworld— world— is isa afully fully plausible plausibleoutcome outcomeand, and,I Iwould wouldargue, argue,ananinevitable inevitableone. one.

ThTh rough roughdevelopments developmentsininthe thefield fieldofofquantum quantummetrology, metrology,wewe are arealready alreadyable abletotocreate createsensors sensorsthat thatcan canlisten listentotothe theelectroelectromagnetic magnetic“whispers” “whispers”ofofthe theactivity activityofofclusters clustersofofneurons. neurons.BioBiocompatible compatiblecarbon carbonnanotubes, nanotubes,which whichare areimmensely immenselystrong strongand and immensely immenselyconductive, conductive,hold holdpromise promiseasas“neural “neurallaces”: laces”:the the building buildingblocks blocksofofconnections connectionstotoindividual individualneurons. neurons.If Ifa brain a brain can canconnect connecttotoa acomputer— computer— whatever whateverthat thateventually eventuallymeans— means— and andif ifthe thecomputers computersofofthe thefuture futurecan cancreate createworlds worldsthat thatare areasas

x x I nItnrtordoudcutcitoino n

detailed detailedasasorormore moredetailed detailedthan thanthe theone oneweweknow knowtoday, today,then then surely surelya alife lifemediated mediatedbybythe thelimits limitsofofa aphysical physicalbody bodywill willone one day dayseem seema pale a paleshadow shadowofofthe thelife lifeofofthe theunfettered unfetteredmind. mind.

ThTh is istheoretical theoreticalreader readerwithout withouta abody— body— what whatsome somewould would call calla a“post“posthuman”— human”— will willbebeable abletotoaccess accessand andprocess processinforinformation mationininways wayswewecan’t can’teven evenbegin begintotounderstand understandtoday. today.What What might mightit itfeel feellike liketotoconsume consumethis thistext textasasinformation informationdirectly directly delivered deliveredtotoyour yourmind mindinina adigital digitalreality? reality?Maybe Maybecomprehencomprehension sionand andintegration integrationofofthe thebook’s book’sideas ideaswill willhappen happeninstantly instantlyoror nonlinearly, nonlinearly,the thehundreds hundredsofofconcepts conceptsforming forminginto intostructures structures ininthe thepostposthuman humanbrain brainatatthe thespeed speedofofananexploding explodingfirework. firework.

Perhaps Perhapsthese thesedisembodied disembodiedreaders readerswill willingest ingestthis thisbook bookviavia new newsenses sensesthat thathaven’t haven’tyet yetbeen beeninvented, invented,ororwill willrevel revelinina syna synesthetic estheticpoetry poetryofofsounds, sounds,smells, smells,and andtouch touchasasthey theyexplore explore concepts concepts with with a fiadelity fidelity and and detail detail impossible impossible through through the the bodily bodily senses sensesalone. alone.ThTh e eadventures adventuresweweread readabout aboutininhistory, history,science science fiction, fiction,ororfantasy fantasycould couldbecome becomethe theactual actualembodied embodiedreality realityofof a apostposthuman humansociety. society.ThTh is ispostposthuman humanwill willlive livea athousand thousand parallel parallellives livesininrealities realitieswewecan canbarely barelyfathom. fathom.

AsAstechnology technologyand anditsitsapplications applicationscontinue continuetotoimprove improveand and evolve, evolve,weweare areapproaching approachinga new a newepoch epochininhuman humanhistory, history,one one ininwhich whichthe thepossibilities possibilitiesofofour ourlives liveswill willdiverge divergefrom fromthe thelimlimitsitsofofour ourbodies. bodies.AtAtthat thatpoint, point,the theworld worldofofideas ideaswill willgenerate generate actual actualworlds worldsthat thatwewecan caninhabit: inhabit:constructed constructedrealities realitiesthat thatwill will exist existininconversation conversationwith withthe thephysical physicalworld. world.Achieving Achievingthis thisvi-vision sionrequires requiresnononew newphysics, physics,only onlythe theinevitable inevitablewaves wavesofofimimprovement provementand andupgrade upgradethat thatwe’ve we’vebecome becomesosogood goodatatasasa a species. species.ThTh e ephysical physicaltools toolswe’ve we’vedevised devisedhave havetransformed transformedthe the Earth Earthwhile whileenhancing enhancingour ourlives livesupon uponit.it.Our Ourmany manycultural cultural technologies— technologies— the the myths myths and and stories stories and and rituals rituals that that have have grown grown upupalongside alongsideour ourtools— tools— give giveform formand andmeaning meaningtotoour ourinnovainnovations. tions.Reshaping Reshapingour ourenvironments, environments,forforgood goodororill,ill,has hasbeen beenkey key

I nItnrtordoudcutcitoino n x ix i

totothe thesurvival survivalofofour ourspecies speciessince sinceprehistory. prehistory.We Wehave havealways always used usedour ourimaginations imaginationsinintandem tandemwith withour ourhands handstotoexplore explore new newworlds worldswhile whileexpanding expandingour ourown. own.ThTh atatis isthe thehuman humanimimpulse, pulse,and andthis thisdynamic dynamicwill willpersist persisteven evenasasour our“hands” “hands”will will increasingly increasinglybecome becomejust justa fi a gure figureofofspeech. speech.

ThTh is isvision visionofofa virtual a virtualfuture futuremight mightstrike strikeyou youasasdystopian. dystopian.

Maybe Maybeyou youenvision envisionhumans humansbeing beingreduced reducedtotorows rowsofofbloodbloodless, less,pulsating pulsatingbrains brainsininjars, jars,ororyou youworry worrythat thattechnological technological change changeis ishappening happeningtoo toofast. fast.Maybe Maybeyou youfear fearthat thatour ourown own world worldmay maydevolve devolveinto intowaste wasteand andchaos chaosasasweweescape escapeinto intocycyberspace. berspace.Perhaps Perhapstotoyou youthe theprospect prospectofofa life a lifemediated mediatedbybymamachines chinesseems seemslike likeone oneininwhich whichwe’ll we’llbebedeprived deprivedofofour ouressential essential humanity. humanity.

But ButI’dI’dchallenge challengeyou youtotosetsetaside asideyour yourpreconceptions preconceptionsand and consider considerthe thefollowing: following:ThTh roughout roughoutthe thehistory historyofofour ourspecies, species, wewehumans humanshave havealways alwaysimagined imaginedother, other,better betterfutures futuresforforourourselves, selves,intangible intangibleworlds worldsthat thatweweexpect expecttotobebemore morefulfi fulfi lling llingand and experientially experientiallyrich richthan thanour ourdaily dailylives. lives.Our Ourability abilitytotovisualize visualize and andbelieve believeininthese thesefutures futuresis isitself itselfa acultural culturaltechnology, technology,one one that thatweweuse usetotoimprove improveour ourexperiences experiencesofoflife lifeand andreality. reality.DeDepictions pictionsofofthe theaftaft erlife, erlife,created createdbybyartists artistsforformillennia, millennia,aren’t aren’t just justmanifestations manifestationsofofreligious religiousdevotion: devotion:ThTh eyeyare areextensions extensionsofof ananongoing ongoinghuman humanimpulse impulsetotoinstantiate instantiatethe theintangible, intangible,totovi-visualize sualizeideal idealworlds worldsand andthus thusmake makethem themreal. real.We Wehave havealways always wanted wantedtotosee, see,feel, feel,and andunderstand understandmore morethan thanwewedo, do,and andinin pursuit pursuitofofthese thesegoals goalswewehave haveconsistently consistentlytried triedtototranscend transcend the thelimits limitsimposed imposedononususbybybiology biologyand andgeology, geology,and andextend extend ourselves ourselvesinto intopotential potentialworlds worldsmediated mediatedonly onlybybyour ourminds. minds.

ThTh is isimportant importantand andnecessary necessarysocial socialtransformation transformationdoes does not notrequire requirethe thedirect directconnection connectionofofthe thebrain braintotoa amachine. machine.

While Whilebrainbraincomputer computerinterfaces interfaceswill willmark markthe themost mostdramatic dramatic final finalstage stageininthis thisprogression, progression,the thenext nextstage stageofofthis thisprocess processwill will

x ixii i I nItnrtordoudcutcitoino n

see seeususfocusing focusingour oursocial socialand andcultural culturalattentions attentionsinto intoa series a seriesofof constructed constructed digital digital realities. realities.

Today, Today, these these simulations simulations are are known known asasvirtual virtualworlds: worlds:embodied, embodied,threethreedimensional dimensionaldigital digitalspaces spaces ininwhich whichpeople peopleinteract interactviaviaavatars. avatars.ThTh ese esecomplex complexgraphical graphical environments, environments,previously previouslythought thoughttotobebethe theprovince provinceofofvideo video games gamesand andentertainment entertainmentalone, alone,are arenow nowevolving evolvinginto intosomesomething thingmuch muchmore. more.AA“metaverse” “metaverse”ofofvirtual virtualworlds worldsextending extending into intoevery everyaspect aspectofofour ourculture cultureis isstarting startingtotoemerge, emerge,presentpresenting ingnew neweconomic economicand andsocial socialopportunities opportunitiesthat thatare arecomparable comparable ininscope scopetotothe thedisruption disruptioncaused causedbybythe theinternet. internet.Many Manypeople people have havecharacterized characterizedthe themetaverse metaverseand andvirtual virtualworlds worldsasasa fad, a fad,oror simply simply anan evolution evolution ofof video video games. games.

I believe I believe this this limited limited frameframework workis isbased basedonona afundamental fundamentalmisunderstanding misunderstandingofofwhy whyhuhumans manscreate createother otherrealities realitiesand andhow howweweseek seekfulfi fulfi llment. llment.

Confusion Confusionover overwhat whatthe themetaverse metaverseis iswill willgenerate generatebroken, broken, inconsistent inconsistentmodels modelsofofwhat whatit itis isfor— for— which, which,ininturn, turn,will willultiultimately matelylead leadtotowasteful wastefulallocation allocationofofcapital, capital,ineff ineff ective ectiveattempts attempts atatregulation, regulation,and anda amagnifi magnifi cation cationofofthe thenegative negativeaspects aspectsofof this thisdisruption. disruption.My Myaim aimwith withthis thisbook bookis istotohelp helpprevent preventthese these outcomes. outcomes.InInthe thepages pagesthat thatfollow followI Iwill willoffoff erera anew newway waytoto understand understandthis thismassive massivetransition transitiontoward towarda avirtual virtualsociety— society— a atransition transitionthat, that,if ifwewemanage manageit itcarefully carefullyand andlearn learnfrom fromthe the mistakes mistakesofofthe thefirst firstage ageofofthe theinternet, internet,will willoffoff ererhumankind humankind incomparable incomparablenew newdimensions dimensionsofoffreedom. freedom.

Within Withindecades, decades,the theworlds worldswewecreate createout outofofpixels pixelsand andpopupopulate latewith withavatars avatarswill willcome cometotomatter matterintensely intenselytotohundreds hundredsofof millions millionsofofpeople; people;the thevalue valuefound foundwithin withinthese theseworlds worldswill willbebe cococreated createdbybyananever everlarger largercrosscrosssection sectionofofsociety. society.Eventually, Eventually, these theseworlds worldsmay maywell wellturn turnout outtotobebeindistinguishable indistinguishablefrom fromour our own. own.When Whenthis thismoment momentarrives, arrives,it itwon’t won’tbebea adark darkday dayforforhuhumanity: manity:It Itwill willbebethe theultimate ultimaterealization realizationofofananingenious ingeniousexexploratory ploratoryimpulse impulsethat thatis isasasold oldasasthe thehuman humanrace. race.Rather Ratherthan than

I nItnrtordoudcutcitoino n x ixiiii i

representing representingsociety’s society’sdemoralizing demoralizingdescent descentinto intotechnological technological escapism, escapism,the theemergence emergenceofofvirtual virtualsociety societywill willmark markthe thebeginbeginning ningofofananera eraininwhich whichwewewill willexplore explorenew, new,positive positivefrontiers frontiersinin psychological psychologicalfulfi fulfi llment llmentand andmental mentalhealth; health;recenter recenterour oureconeconomy omyand andmodes modesofofeducation educationaround aroundindividual individualneeds; needs;forge forge remarkable remarkablenew newcommunities communitiesbuilt builtononshared sharedinterests interestsand andexexperiences; periences;and andbring bringabout abouta aworld worldmore morehumane humanethan thanthe theone one weweare areafraid afraidtotoleave leavebehind. behind.

ThTh is ishope hopeforfora anewly newlyempowering, empowering,just, just,and andequitable equitablesocisociety etysits sitsatatthe thecore coreofofthis thisbook’s book’svision visionofofour ourvirtual virtualfuture. future.I I believe believethat thatthe therise riseofofsosocalled calledpostposthuman humantechnologies technologieswill will soon soonproduce producerobust robustvirtual virtualsocieties societiesthat thatwill willtransform transformthe the way waywewelive liveononEarth, Earth,while whileredefi redefi ning ningwhat whatit itmeans meanstotobebe human. human.Picture Picturea aworld worldininwhich whichyou youcould couldmaster mastera anew newskill skill inina asingle singleaftaft ernoon, ernoon,using usingadvanced advancedsimulation simulationtechnology technology that thatcan canpack packa decade’s a decade’sworth worthofoftrial trialand anderror errorinto intoa twoa twohour hour span. span.OrOrimagine imagineparticipating participatinginina massive a massivefestival festivalthat thatmeanmeaningfully ingfullyinvolves involvesevery everysingle singleuser userofofthe thevirtual virtualworld worldininwhich which it itexists: exists:a auniverseuniversescale scalecelebration celebrationininwhich whichthousands thousandsoror even evenmillions millionsofofpeople peoplehave havethe thechance chancetotobebethe thecenter centerofofat-attention. tention.United Unitedbybya spirit a spiritofofplay playand anda sense a senseofofmutual mutualparticiparticipation pationininthe thesame sametransformative transformativeexperience, experience,the theparticipants participants ininthis thisworld worldwill willfeel feellike liketruly trulyintegral integralparts partsofofsomething somethingbigbigger gerthan thanthemselves, themselves,onona ascale scalethat thatnonoterrestrial terrestrialactivity activitycan can hope hopetotomatch. match.

ThTh e evirtual virtualworlds worldsthat thatpeople peoplelike likeme meare areworking workingtotobuild build will willbebecentered centeredaround aroundthese thesesorts sortsofofuseful usefuland andfulfi fulfi lling llingexpeexperiences. riences.InInthem, them,users userswill willbebeable abletotointeract interactwith withtheir theirfriends, friends, meet meetnew newones, ones,learn learnvaluable valuableskills, skills,have haveexciting excitingadventures, adventures, and andparticipate participateinincivil civilsociety. society.ThTh ese eseexperiences experienceswill willoffoff ererpeopeople plethe thechances chancestotoexplore explorenew newchallenges, challenges,express expresstheir theircreativcreativity,ity,and andconsistently consistentlyfind findsatisfaction, satisfaction,social socialuplift uplift , and , andjoy. joy.ThTh ee

x ixvi v I nItnrtordoudcutcitoino n

advanced advancedcomputing computingtechnologies technologiesthat thatwill willpower powerthese theseworlds worlds will willbebeable abletotogenerate generatevaluable valuableexperiences experienceswith withspeed speedand and precision, precision,like likemachines machinesthat thatare arebuilt builttotoproduce producehuman humanfulfi fulfi ll-llment. ment.

ThTh e erewards rewardsofofvirtual virtualsociety societywon’t won’tbebeonly onlypsychological psychological ones. ones.Before Beforelong, long,people peoplewill willearn earnmoney moneyininvirtual virtualworlds worldsbyby performing performingananarray arrayofofjobs jobsthat thatwill willmatch matchand andexceed exceedrealrealworld worldjobs jobsininterms termsofofsalary, salary,accessibility, accessibility,and andsatisfaction. satisfaction.ThTh ee inevitable inevitableexpansion expansionofofeconomic economicopportunities opportunitieswithin withinthese these other otherworlds worldswill willhave havea transformative a transformativeeffeff ectectononhuman humansociety. society.

InIna decade a decadeorortwo, two,the thelocus locusofofour ourculture, culture,economy, economy,and andsocisociety etywill willshift shiftfrom froma asingle singleworld— world— the thelegacy legacy“real “realworld, world, ” you ” you could couldsay— say— totomany manyworlds. worlds.

While Whilethese theseother otherworlds worldswill willimmerse immersethe thesenses, senses,the thefact fact that thatthey theywill willlook lookand andfeel feel“real” “real”won’t won’tbebewhat whatmakes makesthem them valuable. valuable.ThTh ese eseworlds worldswill willbebevaluable valuablebecause becausethey theywill willre-remake makeour ourlives livesbybyextending extendingthe thecontext contextofofsociety societyinto intonew new realms, realms,allowing allowingforforthe thetransfer transferofofwealth, wealth,ideas, ideas,identity, identity,and and infl infl uence— uence— the thebuilding buildingblocks blocksofofhuman humansocial socialrelations— relations— between betweenour ourcurrent currentreality realityand andthe thedigital digitalones onesthat thatwewecreate. create.

ThTh e combination e combinationofofthese theserealities, realities,and andthe thetransfer transferofofvalue valuebebetween tweenthem, them,will willcomprise comprisethe thedigital digitalmetaverse. metaverse.

ThTh is isbook bookis isyour yourguide guidetotovirtual virtualworlds worldsand anddigital digitalmetametaverses: verses:why whythey theyare areimportant, important,why whythey theyare arenecessary, necessary,and and why whythey theywill willchange changesociety societyforforthe thebetter. better.InInit,it,I hope I hopetotoproprovide videa working a workingtheory theoryofofhow howthe themetaverse metaversewill willcreate createvalue valueforfor both bothindividuals individualsand andsociety. society.With Withthis thistheory theoryininhand, hand,wewecan can then thenlook lookatatthe theways waysininwhich whichthis thisvalue valuemight mightbebemaximized. maximized.

InInthe theprocess, process,I hope I hopetotomove movebeyond beyondthe thebusiness businessand andtechnitechnicalcalcontexts contextsofofthe themetaverse metaverseand andinto intothe thehuman humancontext. context.My My goal goalininthese thesepages pagesis istotopresent presenta comprehensive a comprehensiveexplanation explanationofof why whyideating ideatingwithin withinvirtual virtualspaces spacesmatters matterssosomuch muchtotoour ourpast, past,

I nItnrtordoudcutcitoino n x vx v

present, present,and andfuture. future.While WhileI hope I hopethat thatinvestors investorsand andentrepreentrepreneurs neurswill willfind findthis thisbook bookuseful, useful,I have I havewritten writtenit itwith withmany many others othersininmind, mind,too: too:scientists, scientists,regulators, regulators,historians, historians,content contentcrecreators, ators,and andeveryday everydaypeople peoplelooking lookingtotoreconcile reconcilethe thehype hypethey’ve they’ve heard heardabout aboutthe themetaverse metaversewith withsome somesense senseofofwhy whyit itwill willmatter matter tototheir theirown ownlives. lives.

You Youcan canconsider considerthis thisbook bookananattempt attempttotooffoff erera historically a historically grounded groundedand andpractical practicaltheory theoryofofmetaverses: metaverses:how howtotodefi defi nene them, them,how howtotomeasure measuretheir theirutility, utility,and andhow howtotounderstand understandtheir their interaction interaction with with existing existing ideas. ideas.

What What are are the the fundamental fundamental forces forces that thatdrive drivehumans humanstotocreate createthese theseother otherworlds? worlds?How Howwill willthey they evolve evolveasasthey theytake takedigital digitalform? form?Why Whydodothey theymatter mattertotoindiindividuals vidualsand andtotosociety? society?InInthe thefirst firsthalf halfofofthis thisbook, book,I’llI’lladdress address these thesequestions questionsand andexplain explainwhy whythe themetaverse metaverseis ismore morethan thanjust just the thefuture futureofofthe theinternet: internet:It’sIt’sthe thefuture futureofofhuman humanexperience. experience.

ThTh ough oughthis thisbook bookassumes assumesand andbuilds buildsononthe thework workofofanthroanthropologists pologistsand andsociologists, sociologists,it itdoes doesnot notseek seektotoreplicate replicatethat thatwork, work, only onlytotodemonstrate demonstratethat thatthe theutility utilityofofother otherworlds worldsis isananestabestablished lishedfact. fact.

InInthe thesecond secondhalf halfofofthis thisbook, book,I Iwill willtake takea amore moremicromicroscopic scopicview viewofofthe thedigital digitalmetaverses metaversesthat thatwill willsoon sooncome cometotoaf-affect fectallallofofour ourlives. lives.I’llI’llattempt attempttotoestablish establisha asetsetofofguiding guiding principles principlesforforcreating creatinga ametaverse metaversethat thatis isequitable, equitable,useful, useful,ef-efficient, ficient,and andfulfi fulfi lling. lling.I’llI’llpropose proposeananideal idealorganizational organizationalmodel model forforbuilding buildinga valuable a valuablemetaverse; metaverse;examine examinehow howsocial, social,psychopsychological, logical,and andeconomic economicvalue valueare arerelated relatedwithin withinvirtual virtualcontexts; contexts; and andoffoff erersome somethoughts thoughtsononideal idealmodes modesofofoversight oversightand andreguregulation lationforforthe themetaverse. metaverse.My Mygoal goalwith withthis thissection sectionis istotoestablish establish the theparameters parametersforforananoptimally optimallyvaluable valuablemetaverse, metaverse,asaswell wellasas the thebest bestways waystotobring bringit ittotolife. life.

My Myvision visionand andpredictions predictionsforforthe thefuture futureare arerooted rootedininpractipracticalcalexperience. experience.AsAsananentrepreneur entrepreneurand andcomputer computerscientist scientistwho who

x vxiv i I nItnrtordoudcutcitoino n

has hasspent spentmuch muchofofthe thelast lastdecade decadebuilding buildingcomplex complexvirtual virtual worlds worldsand andthe theinfrastructure infrastructureforforthe themetaverse, metaverse,I have I havedirect direct insight insightinto intothe thetechnical technicaland andorganizational organizationalchallenges challengesthat thatwewe face faceononthe theroad roadtotovirtual virtualsociety. society.Perhaps Perhapsmore moreimportant, important,I’ve I’ve long longbeen beenimmersed immersedininthe thecompany companyofofentrepreneurs, entrepreneurs,invesinvestors, tors,and andbuilders buildersworking workingtoward towardthe theproblem problemofofcreating creatingthe the metaverse. metaverse.ThTh is isbook bookrepresents representsthe thebest bestsynthesis synthesisofofwhat whatI’ve I’ve learned learnedfrom fromthem themover overthe thepast pastdecade. decade.

When WhenI was I wasgrowing growingup, up,digital digitalgames gamesletletme melearn learnand andexexperience periencethings thingsthat thatwere wereinaccessible inaccessibleininthe thereal realworld. world.ThTh ese ese games gamesinstilled instilledininme mea asense senseofofwonder wonderand andexploration. exploration.My My experience experiencewith withthem themwas, was,ininfact, fact,the theopposite oppositeofofthe thestereostereotypical typicalimage imageofofa agamer gamerwho whowants wantstotowithdraw withdrawfrom fromthe the world. world.InInthe thegames gamesI played, I played,I wanted I wantedtotogogosomewhere, somewhere,totododo more, more,totobebemore, more,and andtotofeel feelmore morefulfi fulfi lled. lled.Oft Oft en, en,I would I wouldre-return turnfrom frommy mygaming gamingsessions sessionsfeeling feelingtransformed. transformed.I strongly I strongly identifi identifi ededwith withthe thechildren childrenininThTh e Chronicles e ChroniclesofofNarnia NarniabybyC.C.S.S. Lewis, Lewis,who whowould wouldgogothrough throughthe thewardrobe wardrobeinto intoanother anotherworld world ofofadventures adventuresand andreturn returnwith withfresh freshunderstandings understandingsand andnew new perspectives— perspectives— sosomuch muchsosothat, that,asasa akid, kid,I Ipersonally personallyinvestiinvestigated gatedcountless countlesswardrobes wardrobesforforpotential potentialinterdimensional interdimensionalporportals. tals.(I(Ididn’t didn’tfind findany.) any.)

Now Nowthat thatI am I amlucky luckyenough enoughtotobuild buildvirtual virtualworlds worldsforfora liva living, ing,I Iam ammore moreconvinced convincedthan thanever everthat thatengagement engagementwithin within them themcan canand andwill willchange changepeople’s people’slives livesforforthe thebetter— better— if,if,that thatis,is, wewetake takethe thetime timenow, now,atatthis thiscrucial crucialjuncture, juncture,totobase baseour ourplans plans forforthe thefuture futureinina aclear clearunderstanding understandingofofthe thevalue valuethat thatthese these worlds worldscan cancreate createforforindividuals individualsand andsociety. society.ThTh is isvalue valueis isnot not limited limitedtotoentertainment entertainmentororescapism. escapism.One Oneofofthe thegreatest greatestsursurprises prisesofofmy mycareer careerhas hasbeen beenthe theincredible incredibleimportance importanceofofsimsimulated ulatedvirtual virtualworlds worldstotothe thefuture futureofofmilitary militaryplanning planningand and strategy. strategy.My Myexperience experiencebuilding buildingvirtual virtualtraining trainingenvironments environments

I nItnrtordoudcutcitoino n x vxivii i

forforrealrealworld worldmilitaries militarieshas hasconvinced convincedme methat thatthese thesesimusimulated latedspaces spaceswill willhave haveimmense immensevalue valuetotocountless countlessother otherfields fieldsofof human humanendeavor. endeavor.

You Youmight mightbebeskeptical skepticalthat thatthe themetaverse metaversewill willcreate createany any value valuewhatsoever. whatsoever.Aft Aft ererall,all,recent recenthistory historyis islittered litteredwith withexexamples amplesofofwild wildpredictions predictionsaround aroundvarious variousinnovations innovationsthat that pundits punditstend tendtotolump lumptogether: together:virtual virtualreality, reality,augmented augmentedrealreality,ity,artifi artifi cial cialintelligence, intelligence,cryptocurrency, cryptocurrency,and, and,yes, yes,the themetametaverse. verse.Society Societyis isnow nowcontinuously continuouslyanticipating, anticipating,arguing, arguing,and and betting bettingonontechnology technologyand andproducts productsthat thatdodonot notyet yetfully fullyexist. exist.

InInthe theprocess, process,pundits punditsand andprognosticators prognosticatorstend tendtotolatch latchonontoto certain certainnarratives narrativesofofthe thefuture, future,regardless regardlessofofwhether whetherthey theyare are accurate accurateororoptimal. optimal.ThTh ose osenarratives narrativesthen thenbecome becomedispropordisproportionately tionatelyimportant importantinindetermining determiningwhich whichideas ideasand andprojects projects get getfunded, funded,built, built,and andused. used.

AsAsa result, a result,tech techsoothsayers soothsayersare areoftoft enencorrect correctabout aboutthe thegengeneral eraldirection directionininwhich whichsociety societyis isheaded headedwhile whilealso alsobeing beingwildly wildly wrong wrongabout aboutthe thespecifi specifi cscsofofthe thejourney journeyfrom fromhere heretotothere. there.Just Just think thinkofofthe thedotdotcom comcrash crashand andthe thedemise demiseofofsosomany manycompacompanies niesthat, that,while whileininthe theright rightfield, field,had hadthe thewrong wrongmodel modelofofhow how value valuewas wascreated createdtherein. therein.ThTh e public e publicis isnot notwell wellserved servedwhen whena a new newtechnology’s technology’sloudest loudestpromoters promoterscannot cannotclearly clearlyexplain explainitsits point pointororitsitspurpose. purpose.Opaque Opaqueand andbreathless breathlessnarratives narrativesofofthe the future futuretend tendtotobreed breedcynicism cynicismand andresentment. resentment.ThTh is isstate stateis iswhere where we’re we’reatatright rightnow nowwith withthe themetaverse. metaverse.

InInthe themedia mediaand andamong amongentrepreneurs entrepreneursand andinvestors, investors,virvirtual tualworlds worldshave havebeen beendiscussed discussedand andunderstood understoodprimarily primarily through throughthe theprism prismofofvideo videogames, games,commerce, commerce,and andentertainentertainment. ment.Many Manyare areadamant adamantthat thatthe themetaverse metaverseis isthe thenext nextbig big thing, thing,and andyet yetare aremaddeningly maddeninglyvague vaguewhen whenit itcomes comestotodefi defi n-ning ingboth bothwhat whatit itis isand andwhy whyit itwill willand andshould shouldmatter. matter.ThTh eireirvi-visions sions forfor the the metaverse metaverse oftoft enen seem seem toto bebe rooted rooted inin the the immersive immersive

x vxiviiii i I nItnrtordoudcutcitoino n

worlds worldsofoffiction: fiction:the theMatrix Matrixfilms, films,forforexample, example,ororbooks booksand and stories storiesbybyNeal NealStephenson StephensonororWilliam WilliamGibson.

Gibson.When Whenpressed pressed forforananexact exactdefi defi nition nitionofofthe themetaverse, metaverse,these thesepeople peoplegenerally generally describe describehighhighresolution resolutionembodied embodied3D 3Denvironments environmentswith withrich rich interactive interactivepossibilities— possibilities— ininwhich whichusers usersmight mightshop, shop,play, play,meet, meet, learn, learn,and andlove. love.

ThTh e ebest bestthat thatcan canbebesaid saidforforthese theseframeworks frameworksis isthat thatthey they are arewoefully woefullyincomplete. incomplete.Outdated Outdatedororsuperfi superfi cial cialvisions visionsofofvirvirtual tualworlds worldsand andthe themetaverse metaversetend tendtotofocus focusononthe thewhat, what,but but not notthe thewhy; why;the thething, thing,but butnot notitsitspurpose; purpose;the theopportunities opportunities that thatwill willbebemade madeavailable availabletotoususininembodied embodieddigital digitalspaces, spaces,but but not notthe thereasons reasonswhy whywewewould wouldwant wanttotopursue pursuethem themininthe thefirst first place. place.ThTh ese eseconceptual conceptualgaps gapspresent presenta problem a problemif ifyou youare aretrying trying totobuild builda ametaverse metaversebusiness, business,orortotoregulate regulatethe thespace, space,ororeven even totounderstand understandthe thechanges changesthat thatare areabout abouttotohappen. happen.InInthe theababsence senceofofmeaningful meaningfuldiscussion discussionofofthe thevalue valuethat thatvirtual virtualworlds worlds will willcreate createforforindividuals individualsand andsociety, society,the themetaverse metaversecan canstart starttoto seem seemintangible intangibleand andsuperfi superfi cial. cial.

ThTh is isbroad, broad,shallow shallowmodel modelis isinhibiting inhibitingour ourability abilitytotoperperceive ceiveand andshape shapethe thefuture. future.We Weneed needbetter bettermodels modelsforforthe thefufuture, ture,ones onesthat thatare areconceptually conceptuallyexpansive, expansive,rooted rootedininvisions visionsofof social socialvalue valueinstead insteadofofjust justcorporate corporateprofi profi t. t.We Wemust mustknow knowwhy why we’re we’rebuilding buildingwhat whatwe’re we’rebuilding, building,and andwhy whyvirtual virtualworlds worldsand and the themetaverse metaverseare areworth worththe theeffeff ort. ort.And Andif ifwewecan canunderstand understand the thewhy whyofofthe thedigital digitalmetaverse— metaverse— if ifwewecan canclearly clearlyarticulate articulateitsits purpose purposeand anditsitspotential— potential— then thenwewecan cangrow growthat thatvision visioninto intoa a world worldofofitsitsown, own,one onethat thatwill willrepresent representand andserve servehumanity humanityatat itsitsbest. best.

InInthis thisbook, book,I Iwill willfocus focusononthe thewhy whyofofthe themetaverse, metaverse,inin order ordertotoemphasize emphasizethe thepurpose purposethat thatit itwill willserve serveininour ourlives lives and andforforsociety societyiningeneral. general.ThTh e digital e digitalmetaverse metaversethat thatI envision I envision is isone onethat thatwill willcreate createuntold untoldsocial, social,psychological, psychological,and andecoeco-

I nItnrtordoudcutcitoino n x ixxi x

nomic nomicvalue valueforforitsitsusers usersand andforforthe thewider widerworld. world.It Itis isa framea framework workforfora arich richvirtual virtualsociety societythat thatwill willenhance, enhance,not notsupplant, supplant, our ourlives liveshere hereononEarth.

Earth.Like Likethe thedevelopment developmentofofwriting, writing,ororthe the advent adventofofthe thecomputer computerage, age,the thedawn dawnofofthe themetaverse metaversewill willbebea a grand grandpivot pivotpoint pointininthe thehistory historyofofhumanity: humanity:a manifestation a manifestationofof the theageageold oldhuman humanimpulse impulsetotocreate createcultural culturaltechnologies technologiesthat that can canusefully usefullyenhance enhanceand andtransform transformour ourlives livesand andsocieties. societies.

We Wealmost almostalways alwaysfail failtotounderstand understandthat thatculture cultureadapts adaptstoto technology technologyininnonlinear nonlinearways. ways.If Ifyou youhad hadtold toldmost mostinvestors investorsatat the thedawn dawnofofthe theinternet internetthat, that,inintwenty twentyyears, years,people peoplewould wouldbebe trading tradingbadly badlydrawn drawnJPEGs JPEGsforformillions millionsofofdollars dollarswhile whileobsesobsessively sivelyphotographing photographingevery everymeal, meal,ororthat thata asystem systemlike likeblockblockchain chaincould couldbebedeveloped developedbybyentirely entirelyanonymous anonymousindividuals, individuals, nobody nobodywould wouldhave havebelieved believedyou. you.Our Ourtransformative transformativetechnolotechnologies giestend tendtotoassume assumetheir theirown ownvelocity velocityand anddirection, direction,which whichis is why whywewemust mustfocus focusour ourthinking thinkingononwhy whythese thesetechnologies technologieswill will matter mattertotoour ourlives livesrather ratherthan thanwhat whatforms formsthey theywill willtake. take.InInthe the absence absenceofofintelligent, intelligent,capacious capaciousmodels modelsand andresponsible, responsible,proproactive activethinking thinkingbybykey keystakeholders stakeholderswithin withinthe thespheres spheresofofin-investment, vestment, regulation, regulation, and and infrastructure, infrastructure, the the process process ofof building building the themetaverse metaversewill willbebeone oneofofwaste wasteand andunforced unforcederrors. errors.It’sIt’simimportant portanttotoavoid avoidthose thosepitfalls. pitfalls.

If Ifyou youwant wanttotosee seearound aroundthe thenext nextcorner, corner,this thisbook bookis isforfor you. you.It’sIt’sa abook bookthat thatI wish I wishI had I hadbeen beenable abletotoread readback backwhen whenI I was wasfirst firststarting startingout outininthis thisbusiness businessand andwas waseager eagerforforsomesomething thingthat thatmight mightguide guidemy myown ownthinking thinkingand andeffeff orts. orts.I hope I hope that thatyou’re you’reable abletotouse usethe thefollowing followingchapters chapterstotoguide guideyour yourown own thinking thinkingabout aboutthe themetaverse, metaverse,and andtotohelp helpyou youunderstand understanditsits concrete concretehuman humanpurpose. purpose.I Ibelieve believethat thatthe thedigital digitalmetaverse metaverse will willrank rankamong amongthe themost mostimportant importantchanges changesthat thathumanity humanityhas has ever everexperienced, experienced,because becauseit itis islikely likelytotoactactasasa afork forkininhistory. history.

ThTh e ability e abilitytotolive liveininmany manyrealities realitiesatatonce oncewill willbebea fundamena fundamen-

xx

Introduction

tal break in the most basic nature of our lives versus those of our ancestors, one that will spark the adaptive radiation of society into wholly new forms. The metaverse will evolve our understanding of what it means to be a human, in ways that we are just now beginning to contemplate. When we are all living and creating in virtual worlds, it will mark the first true step from existing as one person in one world to existing in many worlds as a metaversal person.

Our journey into this post-human future is rooted in the past. Far from being just a new shiny thing to dangle in front of tech investors, the metaverse is the latest manifestation of a human worldbuilding tendency that is as old as our species.

For millennia, humans have chosen to construct other worlds of meaning, to make those worlds matter, and to use those worlds to create social and psychological value here on Earth. To understand why, in the future, we might all end up ingesting this book as a bunch of disembodied brains, we must first look back in time: beyond the pyramids, beyond Stonehenge, all the way back to the very beginning of the human race.

VIRTUAL SOCIETY

Chapter Chapter 11

ANCIENT ANCIENT METAVERSES METAVERSES

II

n npresentpresentday dayTurkey, Turkey,amid amidthe therocky rockyplains plainsofofSouthSoutheastern easternAnatolia, Anatolia,juts jutsa monument, a monument,thirty thirtymeters metersinindiamdiameter, eter,ofofimmense immenseage. age.ThTh e Te Tshaped shapedlimestone limestonestructures structures dotting dottingthis thisancient ancienthillside, hillside,some somestanding standingasastall tallasasfive fiveand anda a half halfmeters, meters,are aresetsetaround aroundenclosures enclosuresand andpainstakingly painstakinglycarved carved with withdepictions depictionsofofanimals. animals.More Morethan than240 240ofofthese thesestructures structures have havebeen beenuncovered uncoveredbybyarchaeologists, archaeologists,who, who,asasofofthis thiswriting, writing, have haveexcavated excavateda tiny a tinypercentage percentageofofthe thefull fullsite, site,which whichis isknown known asasGöbekli GöbekliTepe.

Tepe.Taken Takentogether togetherororseparately, separately,the themegaliths megaliths serve servetoday todayasasa adispatch dispatchfrom fromthe theNeolithic: Neolithic:a abarely barelyscrutable scrutable glimpse glimpseofofour ourpast pastthat thatstill stilloffoff ersersa arelevant relevantlesson lessonforforour ourfufuture. ture.

When Whenthis thismonument monumentwas waserected erectedmore morethan than10,000 10,000years years ago, ago,the theplace placefrom fromwhich whichI Iwrite writehere hereininsouthwest southwestEngland England had hadbarely barelytasted tastedfreedom freedomfrom fromcontinentcontinentscale scaleiceicesheets. sheets.

4 4 V iVritrutaula lS oScoiceiteyt y

Woolly Woollymammoths mammothsstill stillclung clungtotoexistence, existence,and andagriculture agriculturehad had not notyet yetbeen beenwidely widelyadopted. adopted.Yet Yetininthis thisalien alienworld worldofofnear nearpreprehistory, history,atatleast least6,000 6,000years yearsbefore beforeStonehenge Stonehengewas wasbuilt, built,primitive primitive humans humansconstructed constructeda aseries seriesofofextraordinary extraordinarystone stonemegaliths megaliths and anddecorated decoratedthem themwith withelaborate elaboratecarvings. carvings.

Why Whywere werethese thesestructures structuresbuilt? built?InInthe thecontext contextofoftheir theirera, era, there therewas wasnonoearthly earthlyreason reasonforforthem themtotoexist. exist.It Itwould wouldnot, not, therefore, therefore,bebeunreasonable unreasonabletotowonder wonderif iftheir theirconstruction construction wasn’t wasn’tactually actuallymotivated motivatedbybyearthly earthlyreasons— reasons— if ifit itwas, was,perhaps, perhaps, compelled compelledbybybelief beliefininsome someother otherworld. world.

ToTothe thebest bestofofour ourknowledge, knowledge,the thespiritual spiritualworld worldororother other reality realityimplied impliedbybythis thismonument monument(if,(if,indeed, indeed,itsitspurpose purposewas was religious) religious)does doesnot notactually actuallyexist. exist.Yet Yetthe therepresentational representationaluniuniverse versecontained containedwithin withinGöbekli GöbekliTepe— Tepe— this thisearly early“virtual “virtual world”— world”— involved involvedthe themovement movementofofenormous enormousmasses massesofofstone stone over overthe thecourse courseofofa athousand thousandyears, years,surely surelyatata anontrivial nontrivialcost cost forforitsitshunterhuntergatherer gatherercreators. creators.AAtask taskofofsuch suchmagnitude magnitudeis is never neverundertaken undertakenonona awhim, whim,but butespecially especiallynot notininthe theharsh harsh environs environsofofNeolithic NeolithicAnatolia, Anatolia,a atime timeand anda aplace placefundamenfundamentally tallyunsuited unsuitedforforfrivolous frivolousarchitectural architecturaldigressions. digressions.ToTothese these nomadic nomadicbuilders buildersand andtheir theirsociety societymore morethan than10,000 10,000years yearsago, ago, the theworld worldinvoked invokedbybythese thesemegaliths megalithsmust musthave havemattered matteredasas much muchas,as,if ifnot notmore morethan, than,the thephysical physicalworld worldininwhich whichthey they lived. lived.

ThTh e megaliths e megalithsatatGöbekli GöbekliTepe Tepemay mayseem seemtotoyou youlike likea proda product uctofofa adistant distantand andalien alienpast. past.But ButI Ibelieve believethey theyrepresent representa a fundamental fundamentalhuman humanimpulse, impulse,a apower powerthat thatwewestill stillmanifest manifest today. today.ThTh e efirst firstmonuments monumentserected erectedbybyhumans humansweren’t weren’tcarved carved out outofofstone stonesosomuch muchasasout outofofingenuity. ingenuity.ThTh eyeywere wereliving livingideas ideas birthed birthedinto intoexistence existencethrough throughcollective collectiveagreement, agreement,imaginary imaginary forces forcesimbued imbuedwith withthe thepower powerofoflife lifeand anddeath, death,virtual virtualworlds worlds created createdthrough throughthe theforce forceofofa asociety’s society’scollective collectiveimagination. imagination.

AnAcniceinetn tM eMteatvaevresresse s 5 5

For For10,000 10,000years, years,humans humanshave havefound foundways waystotomake makethe theunreal unreal real, real,just justbybywilling willingit itso.so.

We Wehave havealways alwaysbeen beena aspecies speciesofofworldbuilders. worldbuilders.Since Sincehuhumanity manityfirst firstemerged, emerged,wewehave haveused usedingenious ingeniousmeans meanstotoexist exist simultaneously simultaneouslyininmultiple multiplerealities: realities:the theanimal animalreality realityofofour our earthly earthlylives livesand andthe theelevated elevatedreality realityofofthe theworlds worldswewecreate create with withour ourminds. minds.We’ve We’vebeen beendesigning designingthese theseother otherrealities realitiesnow now forformillennia, millennia,with withtools toolsnonomore moreadvanced advancedthan thanour ourlanguage language and andour ourimagination. imagination.While Whilewewesometimes sometimesbuild buildstone stonemonumonuments mentstotomark markour ourbelief beliefininother otherworlds, worlds,these theseworlds worldsexist exist separate separateand andapart apartfrom fromthe thestructures structuresweweraise raisetotocommemocommemorate ratethem. them.We Wespeak speakour ourvirtual virtualworlds worldsinto intoexistence, existence,and andwewe sustain sustainthem thembybythe theforce forceofofour ourcollective collectivebelief. belief.

From Froma acursory cursoryvantage, vantage,the thedusty dustystones stonesatatGöbekli GöbekliTepe Tepe may mayseem seemlike likecrude crudemonuments monumentsfrom froma aforgotten, forgotten,foreign foreign world. world.But Butif ifyou youexamine examinethe thecarvings carvingsinindetail, detail,a auniverse universeofof images imagesand andmeaning meaningfloods floodsyour yourvision: vision:scorpions scorpionsand andsnarling snarling beasts, beasts,geometric geometricpatterns, patterns,gesturing gesturingvultures vulturesand andheadless headlesshuhumans. mans.Imagine Imaginehow howmeaningful meaningfulthe themythologies mythologiesheld heldbybythese these people peoplemust musthave havebeen beenininorder orderforforthem themtotocraft craftsuch suchintricate intricate works worksinto intostone— stone— how howtightly tightlytheir theirbelief beliefsystem systemmust musthave have been beeninterwoven interwoveninto intotheir theireveryday everydayexistence. existence.

Just Justasasthe themegaliths megalithsofofGöbekli GöbekliTepe Tepesuggest suggesta adynamic dynamicin-interplay terplaybetween betweena virtual a virtualworld worldand andeveryday everydayexistence, existence,the thevirvirtual tualworlds worldsthat thatwe’ll we’llbebediscussing discussingthroughout throughoutthis thisbook bookare arefarfar from fromstatic staticstories storiesthat thatare aredisconnected disconnectedfrom fromour ourdaily dailylives. lives.

ThTh eyeyare areworlds worldsthat thatour oursociety societytreats treatsasasreal, real,ones onesthat thatcan canbebe the thesources sourcesofofactual actualwealth, wealth,power, power,and andidentity identityininthe thephysical physical world. world.We Webuild buildand andinhabit inhabitthese theseother otherworlds worldstoday todayforforthe the same samereasons reasonsour ourancestors ancestorsbuilt builtthem themeons eonsago: ago:totogenerate generatefulfulfillment fillmentand andvalue, value,totomaterially materiallyimprove improveour ourlives livesononEarth.

Earth.

Rather Ratherthan thanmarking markingthe thegates gatestotothese theseother otherrealities realitieswith with

6 6 V iVritrutaula lS oScoiceiteyt y

monuments monumentsofofstone, stone,these thesedays dayswewecreate createdigital digitalgateways gatewaysthat that conduct conductususfrom fromone oneworld worldinto intoanother. another.

ThTh ough oughwewemight mightnot notalways alwaysconsciously consciouslyrealize realizethat thatweweare are building buildingthese theseworlds, worlds,our ourskill skillatatdoing doingsosoaffaff ects ectsand andinforms informs everything everythingwewedodoasasa aspecies. species.ThTh is isbook bookis isininpart partabout abouthow how this thisfundamental fundamentalhuman humantalent talentforforworldbuilding worldbuildingwill willshape shape our ourfuture, future,and andhow howthe thecoming comingage ageofofvirtual virtualsociety societyrepresents represents not nota anew newand andforeign foreignphenomenon, phenomenon,but butthe thecontinuation continuationofof ancient ancienttraditions traditionsserving servingintrinsic intrinsichuman humanneeds. needs.But Butbefore beforewewe move movetoward towardthe thefuture, future,let’s let’sletletour ourgaze gazelinger lingera abitbitlonger longerinin the thepast, past,and andclosely closelyexamine examinewhat whatwewemean meanbybyvirtual virtualworlds worlds and andworldbuilding. worldbuilding.

WHEN WHEN WORDS WORDS BECOME BECOME WORLDS WORLDS Creating Creatingmodels modelsofofreality realityis isananessential essentialpart partofofhighhighlevel level thinking. thinking.InInorder ordertotosurvive surviveand andoperate operateeffeff ectively ectivelyininthe the world, world,wewemust mustbebeable abletotosimplify simplifyand andexperiment experimentwith withoutoutcomes comesasasweweplan planorormake makedecisions. decisions.InInsosodoing, doing,wewecreate createand and evolve evolveworlds worldsofofideas ideasthat thatexist existapart apartfrom fromand andininconversation conversation with withthe theembodied embodiedworld. world.ThTh is isprocess processis issosofundamental fundamentaltotoour our language languageand andour ourcognition cognitionthat thatwewerarely rarelystop stoptotoconsider consideritsits centrality centralitytotoour ourdaydayto-today daylives. lives.

“Th “Th e elimits limitsofofmy mylanguage languagemean meanthe thelimits limitsofofmy myworld, world, ”” Ludwig LudwigWittgenstein Wittgensteinwrote wroteininTractatus TractatusLogicoLogicoPhilosophicus.

Philosophicus.

When Whenweweverbalize verbalizethese theseworlds worldsofofideas, ideas,wewebegin begintotocreate create social socialmodels modelsofofthem, them,ones onesthat thatpeople peopleother otherthan thanourselves ourselves can canbegin begintotoaccess accessand anduse. use.InIna ameaningful meaningfulsense, sense,then, then,our our words wordscreate createour ourworlds. worlds.ThTh e common e commonphrase phrase“visualize “visualizea better a better world”— world”— one oneininwhich whichworld worldpeace peaceis isthe thenorm, norm,forforexample— example— fundamentally fundamentallymeans meanstotovisualize visualizea virtual a virtualworld, world,one oneininwhich which

AnAcniceinetn tM eMteatvaevresresse s 7 7

that thatidealized idealizedoutcome outcomehas hasalready alreadycome cometrue, true,and andthen thentotouse use the thetruth truthofofthat thatworld worldtotocreate createequivalent equivalentvalue valuehere hereononEarth.

Earth.

ThTh is isindividual individualcapacity capacityforforworldbuilding worldbuildingcan canprecipitate precipitate the thecreation creationofofrich, rich,detailed, detailed,intergenerational intergenerationalworlds worldsthat thatcan can inspire inspireusustotogreat greatand andsometimes sometimesterrible terribleaccomplishments: accomplishments: the thebirth birthofofgreat greatreligions, religions,forforexample, example,many manyofofwhich whichcame cametoto have havetremendous tremendousutility utilitytotosociety societywhile whilealso alsoserving servingasasthe the source sourceofofcontinuing continuingpain. pain.We Weoftoft enenconstruct constructthese thesesocial socialre-realities alitiestotofillfilla adefi defi nable nableneed: need:totoexplain explainotherwise otherwiseincompreincomprehensible hensibleevents, events,totojustify justifyactions, actions,totoadd addadditional additionalexcitement excitement totoour ourlives, lives,ororsimply simplytotolend lendorder ordertotothe thechaos chaosand anddanger dangerofof life. life.AsAspeople peoplecome cometotobelieve believeininthese theseother otherworlds, worlds,their theirfaith faith expands expandsthe theworlds’ worlds’parameters, parameters,and andthese theserealms realmscan, can,effeff ecectively, tively,come cometotolife. life.

We Wedodoallallofofthis thiswork worknot notjust justbecause becauseweweenjoy enjoythe theactactofof building buildingand andbelieving believingininthese theseworlds— worlds— although althoughdoing doingsosocan can indeed indeedbebevery veryenjoyable— enjoyable— but butbecause becausethey theyserve serveindividual individual and andsocial socialpurposes purposeswithout withoutwhich whichour oursocieties societiescould couldnot notfuncfunction. tion.Society Societyuses usesembodied embodiedworlds worldsofofculture cultureand andimagination imagination totocreate createcommon commonpurpose purposeand andhandle handlethe theemergent emergentcomplexicomplexities tiesofofinterpersonal interpersonaldynamics; dynamics;society societyuses usesthese thesestructures structurestoto regulate regulateavarice avariceand andambition ambitionand anddirect directhuman humanenergies energiestoward toward noble noblepurposes. purposes.AAworld worldwith withnonoshared sharedculture, culture,nonostructures structures within withinwhich whichtotoharness harnessingenuity ingenuityand andcreate createshared sharedexperiexperience, ence,would wouldbebea brutal a brutalreality realityininwhich whichlife lifewould wouldbebereduced reducedtoto modes modesofofsustenance sustenanceand andsurvival. survival.

“Myth “Mythis islanguage, language, ” ”wrote wrotethe theanthropologist anthropologistClaude ClaudeLéviLéviStrauss, Strauss,“functioning “functioningononananespecially especiallyhigh highlevel levelwhere wheremeaning meaning succeeds succeedspractically practicallyatat‘taking ‘takingoffoff ’ from ’ fromthe thelinguistic linguisticground ground ononwhich whichit itkeeps keepsrolling. rolling. ” Th ” Th ese esemythic mythicworlds worlds“take “takeoffoff ” and ” and become becomesocially sociallyconstructed constructedrealities: realities:other otherworlds worldsthat thatrely relyonon participants participantsacross acrossthe thespectrum spectrummutually mutuallyagreeing agreeingtotobelieve believe

8 8 V iVritrutaula lS oScoiceiteyt y

that thatthey theyexist existand andthat thatthey theymatter. matter.AsAssuch, such,inina ameaningful meaningful sense, sense,these thesevirtual virtualworlds worldsare arebrought broughttotolife lifebybythis thismutual mutual agreement. agreement.

ThTh ese eseother otherworlds worldsaren’t aren’talternative alternativerealities realitiesinto intowhich whichwewe choose choosetotoescape: escape:ThTh eyeyare aremore morereality. reality.ThTh eyeyare arefound foundspaces spaces into intowhich whichwewecan canextend, extend,evolve, evolve,and andimprove improveour oursocial socialstrucstructures. tures.Even Eventoday, today,these theseliving livingother otherworlds worldsand andthe theevents eventsthat that happen happenthere therecan canenrich, enrich,expand, expand,and andaffaff ectectour oureconomy, economy,our our culture, culture,and andour ourdaily dailylives. lives.ThTh ink, ink,forforexample, example,ofofthe theartartand and culture culturecreated createdasasa aresult resultofofsocieties’ societies’belief beliefininother otherworlds. worlds.

ThTh e ceiling e ceilingofofthe theSistine SistineChapel Chapelis isa priceless a pricelesswork workininour ourworld world and andalso, also,inina sense, a sense,a gateway a gatewaytotothe thevirtual virtualworld worldthat thatinspired inspired it,it,just justasasthe theGöbekli GöbekliTepe Tepemegaliths megalithswere wereeffeff ectively ectivelygateways gateways totothe theworld worldthat thatinspired inspiredtheir theircreation. creation.

ModernModernday dayfinancial financialmarkets marketsalso alsocount countasasother otherworlds worlds that thatcreate createvalue valueforforour ourown. own.InInthese thesemarkets, markets,fortunes fortunesand and reputations reputationsare arewon wonand andlost lostwhen whensocieties societiesenenmasse masseagree agreetoto ascribe ascribegreat greatvalue valueand andpower powertotoassets assetsthat thatoftoft enenhave havenonoinherinherent entworth worthbeyond beyondthat thatwhich whichtheir theirstakeholders stakeholdersagree agreethat thatthey they have. have.Professional Professionalsports sportsalso alsoqualify qualifyasasliving, living,vibrant vibrantworlds worldsofof meaning. meaning.Look Looknonofurther furtherthan thanthe thelengths lengthstotowhich whichsuperfans superfans gogototomanifest manifesttheir theirdevotion devotiontototheir theirchosen chosenteams. teams.Fans Fanslive live and anddie diewith withthe thefortunes fortunesofoftheir theirhometown hometownclubs, clubs,even eventhough though the theoutcomes outcomesofofthe thegames gamesthat thatthey theywatch watchwith withsuch suchintensity intensity will willmake makenonodirect directdiff diff erence erencetototheir theirdaily dailylives. lives.Impactful Impactful athletic athleticcontests contestscan canbecome becomevenues venueswhere wherewewecan cantemporarily temporarily modify modifyreality realityininorder ordertotosolve solveororsublimate sublimatesocial socialissues. issues.When When some someunderunderresourced resourcedcountry countrydefeats defeatsa awealthy wealthynation nationinina a World WorldCup Cupmatch, match,forforinstance, instance,the thevictory victoryis isfelt feltprofoundly profoundlybyby the thesmaller smallernation. nation.It Itcan canserve servetotosalve salvewounds, wounds,create createpride, pride, instill instillconfi confi dence denceand andgood goodfeelings. feelings.ThTh ese esematches matchesare aremechamechanisms nismsforformeaningful meaningfulsocial socialcohesion. cohesion.