The encroaching reality of massive companies urging citizens into a virtual reality dystopia called The Metaverse is unfortunately coming. While everyone from Mark Zuckerberg to Bill Gates seems to believe in the next-gen technology, one venture capitalist isn't sold: Elon Musk.
The Metaverse isn't for Elon Musk
In a recent interview, Musk explained that Metaverse technology is too obtuse for the general public. As such, the billionaire believes that, no matter how much money is funnelled into it, the tech won't take off.
Musk explained that companies wanting users to strap “a frigging screen to their face all day and not ever leave” isn't ideal. In fact, it’s the complete opposite of what most people want for their daily virtual interactions.
Additionally, the billionaire explained that the current vision for Metaverse apps isn't interesting. Instead of a VR dystopia, apps like Horizon Worlds are mere VR-chat clones.
He said:
“Sure you can put a TV on your nose, I’m not sure that makes you ‘in the metaverse.' It gets uncomfortable to have this thing strapped to your head the whole time. I think we’re far from disappearing into the metaverse.”
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He just wants to sell brain implants
On the other hand, Elon Musk believes that Neuralink is the only way humanity can truly enter The Metaverse. For the uninitiated, Neuralink is a Musk-funded brain implant company that aims to bridge the boundaries of humanity and artificial intelligence.
In an incredibly vague statement, Musk said: “Long term, a sophisticated Neuralink could put you fully, fully in a virtual reality thing”. However, there’s no evidence that the brain implant technology could, one day, push humans into The Metaverse.