Introduction:
The Metaverse is a term coined by science fiction author Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel Snow Crash, which describes a virtual reality world where people can interact with each other through avatars. Since then, the concept of a shared virtual space has evolved and gained popularity, and today it’s being discussed as a potential future for humanity. But who founded the Metaverse, and what are its origins?
The Founder:
It’s not entirely clear who should be considered the founder of the Metaverse, as the concept has been explored and developed by many people throughout history. However, some notable figures have made significant contributions to the development of virtual reality technology, which is closely related to the Metaverse. One such figure is Jaron Lanier, an American computer scientist and author who has written extensively about the potential implications of virtual reality on society. In his book You Are Not a Gamer, Lanier argues that virtual reality has the potential to revolutionize how we interact with each other and the world around us.
The Origins:
While it’s difficult to pinpoint a single origin for the Metaverse, there are several key developments that have shaped its evolution. One of the earliest examples of a shared virtual space was the ARPANET, a precursor to the modern internet that was developed by the United States Department of Defense in the 1960s. The ARPANET allowed researchers from different locations to communicate with each other and share information, paving the way for the development of more advanced networking technologies.
Another important milestone in the history of the Metaverse was the creation of the World Wide Web by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. The web allowed people to access and share information through hyperlinks, making it easier than ever before to navigate the internet and connect with others online. This laid the foundation for the development of virtual reality technology, which allows users to interact with each other and their surroundings in a more immersive way.
Conclusion:
The Metaverse is a concept that has been explored and developed by many people throughout history, from science fiction authors like Neal Stephenson to computer scientists like Jaron Lanier. While it’s difficult to pinpoint a single founder or origin for this virtual reality world, the ARPANET and the World Wide Web are two key developments that have shaped its evolution. As the Metaverse continues to evolve and gain popularity, it will be interesting to see how it is used and what impact it has on our society.
