Neal Stephenson, the visionary author who first coined the term “metaverse” in his groundbreaking 1992 book, “Snow Crash,” remains undaunted in his pursuit of a metaverse future, even as interest in the concept appears to be on the wane, with some declaring it “dead.”
According to data from Google Trends, search interest in the metaverse has declined in 2023 compared to its peak in 2021 and 2022, prompting premature obituaries for the metaverse hype. However, amidst these proclamations, there are those who continue to forge ahead, undeterred by the prevailing skepticism.
Lamina1, the metaverse blockchain project founded by Neal Stephenson, is one such entity refusing to bow to the naysayers. The project is set to embark on an ambitious venture known as “Open Metaverse Discovery Month” throughout October. During this month-long event, Lamina1 will host workshops, joint quests, and bounties designed to empower builders and creators with the knowledge and tools needed to explore the vast landscape of metaverse experiences.
Rebecca Barkin, the CEO of Lamina1, remains a steadfast believer in the potential of the metaverse, despite the prevailing sentiment that it’s met its demise. She stated in an interview with Cointelegraph that even in the midst of the crypto winter and the chorus of voices proclaiming the “death of the metaverse,” Lamina1 has managed to attract nearly 50,000 builders into its thriving community since launching the project.
Barkin’s optimism for the future of the metaverse hinges on one key factor: the continued investment of time and resources by individuals. As she puts it, “As long as people continue to invest time and money in digital experiences, gaming, virtual worldbuilding, buying and selling digital items, and experimenting with new computing and creative technologies, the metaverse will continue to come to life.”
In Barkin’s view, Neal Stephenson’s vision of the metaverse extends beyond the creation of virtual worlds; it’s a vision that challenges the status quo of corporate dominance and control. With today’s technological capabilities, the metaverse can empower creators across diverse fields, including entertainment, gaming, commerce, and fashion, to assert greater autonomy in building, creating, and distributing their own digital realms. It’s a vision that transcends the notion of a dying hype and holds the promise of a more democratized and vibrant metaverse ecosystem.
