Embracing AI, Web 3.0, and the Metaverse

The Future of Technology

As I sit down to write this blog post, I can't help but think about how often my conversations with friends and family turn to the topic of AI and the future of technology. We often find ourselves discussing what life will be like in the years to come, and how technology will shape our experiences.

Communication in the Digital Age

Take communication, for instance. For me, I think texting is the fastest and most efficient way to get things done. Calling, on the other hand, reminds me of waiting on hold for hours, and WeChat voice messages also take forever to listen to, many times minutes of audio read by text in seconds. Video calling, like Zoom, can be awkward, with cognitive dissonance and lag making it a less-than-ideal experience.

The Metaverse

But despite these limitations, I'm a big proponent of the metaverse – or at least the idea of it. Imagine being able to connect with friends and family from around the world, without the constraints of space and time. No more driving hours across town or struggling to keep in touch with friends who live far away. It'll also be really cool to visit friends in Singapore, Germany, and do things together versus the standard "relative" call - how are u, how have u been, what are u doing - let's have this conversation again next year.

Gaming and the Evolution of Social Interactions

Gaming has been a big part of my life, and I've seen firsthand how it can bring people together. Playing Dota with friends for nearly 20 years has been an incredible experience, and I can only imagine how much more immersive it will be when we can do it in a virtual world. The idea of attending sporting events, exploring new places, and engaging in activities together is incredibly exciting. I remember the early days of Neopets and Runescape where we went to the town square to sell mined coal for coal certificates.

Examples - TV Shows & Movies

Movies like Belle, Ready Player One, and Sword Art Online offer a glimpse into what this future could look like. The virtual world of "U" breaks down physical boundaries. People forge friendships and bonds regardless of their location or background, fostering a sense of global community.

The Downsides of Technology

Of course, there are downsides to these technologies. Addiction and overconsumption of content are real concerns, and we need to be mindful of the impact on our physical and mental health.

Web 3.0: A Decentralized Future

As for Web 3.0, I'm skeptical that it will arrive in the next 5-10 years. But I do think that it will evolve as social media platforms become more advanced and decentralized. The metaverse could be the catalyst for this change, once the technology becomes good enough.

And it’s already happening somewhat. People are turning away from big news sites. I personally listen to a lot of podcasts - All In Podcasts, Bill Simmons Podcast, Stratechery. A trip down memory lane reminded me of Gotwoot Forums - a forum I grew up on the last 20 years talking about anime and technology.

Conclusion

Overall, it's been exciting to see the transition of technology thru the evolution of video games in my life, especially thru Dota. We used to have LAN parties in the late 90s, then in college we used hamachi and GArena to play thru a proxy LAN. I’m a technologist and I’m excited to see where it’ll take us.