As this is the final piece in our “Building the Metaverse” series, I find it appropriate to conclude by painting a picture of what the Metaverse might look like and how it might work.

I’m not going to bore you by reintroducing the idea of ​​having an avatar interacting in a virtual world and using crypto and NFTs as a means of bidding, because I know you’re already familiar with these areas. Instead, I want to focus on the idea that the metaverse could connect people from all over the world in ways we never thought possible.

This is going to be quite a technical post – but don’t worry, I’ll try to break things down as best I can.

Dimensionality and spatial computing

The metaverse will consist of several dimensions, and each of these dimensions will be filled with all kinds of content. You will have 2D web, 3D virtual worlds, 4D augmented reality (AR) and even 5D mixed reality. But what exactly do I mean by “dimension”?

In short, a dimension is simply a way of measuring something. So the 2D web would be anything that exists on a flat plane like a traditional website. A 3D virtual world is, well, a world that exists in three dimensions where you can move around and explore. And AR it’s when digital content is superimposed on the real world.

Mixed reality is a bit more complicated and it’s the dimension that excites me the most. Mixed reality is when you take the real world and mix it with the virtual world to create a new hybrid reality. This is different from augmented reality because digital content can interact with the physical world.

Think of it this way, in augmented reality, you might see a virtual dog on your coffee table. But in mixed reality, this virtual dog could walk from the table, onto the floor, and then pee on your carpet (I know, gross).

The fact is that the metaverse will be composed of several dimensions and each of these will offer something unique. And because of that, the metaverse will connect the world.

But before we get to that, we need to lay the groundwork for spatial computing. It is a way of representing digital information in 3D space.

As we mentioned earlier, the metaverse will be made up of multiple dimensions. So for all of this to work, we need a way to represent different dimensions in 3D space. And that’s exactly what spatial computing will allow us to do.

The metaverse as a global platform

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork, let’s talk about how the metaverse can connect people all over the world. The first thing to understand is that the metaverse will be a global platform.

This means anyone from anywhere will be able to access the metaverse and interact with others. There will be no barriers to entry and everyone will be on an equal footing.

This contrasts with the traditional Internet which is made up of many different silos. For example, you have the American Internet, which is different from the Chinese Internet, which is different from the Russian Internet. The profound difference lies in the regulatory environment, censorship and data privacy. All of these factors make it very difficult for people from different parts of the world to connect with each other.

But with the metaverse, there will be only one global platform that everyone can access. This is a very powerful idea, as it will allow unlimited language translation, real-time understanding of culture and customs, immutability to regulation and censorship, and much more.

The metaverse as a decentralized platform

In addition to being a global platform, the metaverse will be a decentralized platform. No central authority will control it.

Instead, it will be a distributed network powered by the people who use it. This is a very important distinction as it will make the metaverse much more resistant to censorship and control.

The traditional internet is centralized, which means there are a few companies that control everything. For example, Facebook controls your News Feed, Google controls your search results, and Amazon controls what you buy.

But with the metaverse, there will be no central authority controlling what you see or do. This is a huge change that will lead to a much more open and democratic Internet.

The Changing Nature of Transactions and Ownership

Another key aspect of the metaverse is that it will change the nature of transactions and ownership. Today, all transactions are mediated by centralized institutions.

For example, when you buy stocks, you are actually buying a piece of paper that represents your ownership of those stocks. But with the metaverse, you will be able to own digital assets directly.

This is a very important distinction, as it will lead to a much more efficient and transparent marketplace. Today, many intermediaries take a share of each transaction.

In the metaverse, transactions will be direct and there will be no need for intermediaries. This will make the market much more efficient and also reduce the cost of transactions.

Putting it All Together: Adapting to the Age of the Metaverse

To conclude our series, let’s see how to adapt to the immense paradigm shift that the metaverse will bring. We need to learn to think in 3D and stop limiting our imagination to the 2D world we live in today. What do I mean by that exactly?

In the 2D world, we are used to thinking of things in terms of left and right, top and bottom. But in the 3D world of the Metaverse, there are endless possibilities. We have to start thinking about things in three dimensions.

We also need to familiarize ourselves with the idea of ​​digital ownership. In the metaverse, you will directly own digital assets. This is a very different concept from owning a piece of paper that represents your ownership of an asset.

And finally, we must learn to think of the world in terms of networks. The Metaverse will be a decentralized platform powered by the people who use it. This is a very different model from the centralized internet we are used to today.

Despite these differences, if we learn to think in 3D, become familiar with digital property, and begin to think of the world in terms of networks, we will be able to adapt and thrive in this new era.

Think of it as a final thought – the Metaverse isn’t just a game or recreational diversion. This is the next evolutionary step in human social interaction and it’s time to start preparing for it.

The metaverse is coming, and it’s going to change everything.

Daniel Saito is CEO and co-founder of Strong Node