What is the Metaverse? Using the definition from that helped me understand it: this article “Imagine a virtual world in which people live, work, shop, and interact with others -- all from the comfort of their couch in the physical world. This is known as the metaverse.” In my opinion, the metaverse is described best in the book Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. “If I was feeling depressed or frustrated about my lot in life, all I had to do was tap the Player One button, and my worries would instantly slip away as my mind focused itself on the relentless pixelated onslaught on the screen in front of me. There, inside the game's two-dimensional universe, life was simple: It's just you against the machine. Move with your left hand, shoot with your right, and try to stay alive as long as possible.” ― Ernest Cline, Ready Player One HackerNoon Prompt: So let’s start! First, tell us a bit about yourself. For example, name, profession, and personal interests. Hi! I am Amy Shah, a US based psychiatrist, and tech enthusiast. My personal interest lies in learning more about the intersection of technology and mental health, especially as it affects the business world. How would you explain the Metaverse to your Mum? It’s another world that is based on the internet. You can do everything in the metaverse that you can in real life, but you are sitting at home on your couch. With that in mind, the metaverse also has laws and rules which must be followed. “Going outside is highly overrated.” ― Ernest Cline, Ready Player One Are you currently working on building a metaverse? If yes, shill it below ;) I am curious about it, but not building one. I am writing a book right now about the effects of technology on mental health. “You'd be amazed how much research you can get done when you have no life whatsoever.” ― Ernest Cline, Ready Player One What interests you the most about the possibilities of the Metaverse? I am interested in how the metaverse will have an impact on human behavior and in particular mental health. I am wondering what new mental health impacts it will have - positive or negative. One of the biggest issues in my view will be about how the metaverse will affect sleep on an individual level. Already, I have noticed that with only using cell phones and not the metaverse, many people have disordered sleep. Having poor sleep can affect your energy level, mood, appetite, and concentration level. Problems with sleep have a global effect on a person’s capabilities and impulsiveness. Another issue the metaverse will have will be the effect on physical activity. Being sedentary for long periods is an issue many people face even without entering the metaverse. If people live most of their lives in the metaverse, a tremendous problem for them will be finding ways to keep active. Not having a physically fit body can predispose one to numerous medical conditions including obesity, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol. What do you hate the most about the current crop of centralized Gaming/VR industry? I don’t have a feeling like that about the industry. My feeling is mainly curiosity and wonder about how the programs will influence human behavior. “I created the OASIS because I never felt at home in the real world. I didn't know how to connect with the people there. I was afraid, for all of my life, right up until I knew it was ending. That was when I realized, as terrifying and painful as reality can be, it's also the only place where you can find true happiness. Because reality is real.” ― Ernest Cline, Ready Player One Thanks for your time! Any final words? I think there is room for better mental health and well-being in the world of the metaverse, but society will have to plan for it. More importantly, people on a one-on-one basis will have to develop new habits to accommodate for technological advances like this.
