Versus – The Crypto Medium

CRYPTO 101 PART 10: THE OPEN VS CLOSED METAVERSE

Erik From The Decentralist — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 21:19:14 +0000

Table Of Contents[ Show ]

HI DENIZENS, AND WELCOME BACK!
WHAT IS THE OPEN VS CLOSED METAVERSE?
THE METAVERSE IS NOT THE MARC ZUCKERBURG "META"
WHAT THE HECK IS THIS METAVERSE ANYWAY?
CLOSED METAVERSE
OPEN METAVERSE
THE PROBLEM WITH A CLOSED METAVERSE
WEB 2.0
IS THE CONFLICT OVER?
FINAL THOUGHTS
Frequently Asked Questions.
UP NEXT
Refferences

HI DENIZENS, AND WELCOME BACK!

WHAT IS THE OPEN VS CLOSED METAVERSE?

For the closed metaverse think Facebook’s “Meta”; is simply a repackaged, dressed-up, 3D virtual version of web 2.0. It’s a private industry hustle, a con job; a place created by a centralized and nontransparent authority designed to mimic the open Metaverse. It’s a place where the organization sets the rules, owns your data, and profits from your experience. Many more companies are trying the same thing.

For the Open Metaverse, also known as the real Metaverse, think “Ready Player One” without the corporate overloards. It is the antithesis of a closed Metaverse, literally the inverse. A decentralized, web 3.0, Blockchain-based 3D virtual place/experience that nobody owns.

“Whenever destroyers appear among men, they start by destroying money, for money is men’s protection and the base of a moral existence. Destroyers seize gold and leave to their owners a counterfeit pile of paper. This kills all objective standards and delivers men into the arbitrary power of an arbitrary setter of values. Gold was an objective value, an equivalent of wealth produced. Paper is a mortgage on wealth that does not exist, backed by a gun aimed at those who are expected to produce it.”

-Ayn Rand

THE METAVERSE IS NOT THE MARC ZUCKERBURG "META"

WHAT THE HECK IS THIS METAVERSE ANYWAY?

For all in the crypto world, the metaverse is coming, and it’s going to be big. If you’re not familiar with the term “metaverse,” it’s a portmanteau of “meta,” meaning beyond or transcending, and “universe,” meaning, well, all existing matter and space.

So the metaverse is to be a place that transcends the physical world we live in today. In theory, It’s a digital reality, not bound to the laws of physics and traditional economics. A place of endless creativity and opportunities and will function according to its rules and principles.

The idea is that the siloed 2D internet we know today will be replaced by a 3D interoperable metaverse resulting in a video-gamelike internet experience.

The potential applications of such a technology are virtually (pun not intended) limitless, and we’re already seeing early examples of it in virtual worlds like Second Life and massively multiplayer online games like World of Warcraft. So while the metaverse may still seem like science fiction, it’s actually not that far off from becoming a reality.

The more connected than ever before trend is only set to continue with the rise of the metaverse. This digital economy will transform the internet with shared virtual worlds. Hundreds of companies and teams are working on making their visions of the metaverse a reality, and it is forecasted to be a multi-trillion-dollar industry.

In some ways, the first signs of the metaverse are already here. People study on YouTube, work in Teamflow, meet on Discord, game together in Minecraft and Fortnite and, shop and watch movies on Amazon, tweet on Twitter, and eat dinner from UBER Eats.

Today though, most of these services are disconnected. Users have to switch from one platform to another and log in with different accounts and inter-platform communication doesn’t exist.

However, with the metaverse, all of these activities will be connected in one shared virtual world. The possibilities are endless and the potential for growth is tremendous. Get ready for the metaverse – it’s coming sooner than you think!

CLOSED METAVERSE

Most people would be surprised to learn that the internet is dominated by just a few large companies. In fact, the most-used platforms and services are owned by just a handful of tech giants.

This concentration of power can have serious implications for users, who may find themselves at the mercy of these companies. For example, if one of these companies decides to change its terms of service or raise prices, users may have little choice but to go along with it.

Additionally, these companies may use their power to stifle competition or silence voices they don’t agree with. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the concentration of power in the tech industry and to understand the potential implications.

Powerful platforms become exclusive. Not surprisingly, that harbors the potential for conflict. If these companies are no longer mere service providers, they become gatekeepers equipped with the power to decide who gets to use their platforms. This wouldn’t be a problem if hey weren’t monopolies within their fields, but they are.

Users get de-platformed and silenced, lose their voice, and in some cases even their livelihood. Consequently, as these companies have expanded it’s become increasingly hard to hold them accountable. Otherwise, we risk becoming trapped in a digital world where only a select few have a say.

As anyone who has attempted to leave a social media platform knows, it is not easy. Not only are you saying goodbye to your friends and family, but you are also giving up your history, your identity, and your data.

This is because web 2.0 social media platforms have a monopoly on our data. We may not agree, but the reality is that we’re at the mercy of these platforms. They can change their terms and conditions at any time, and they can delete our data if they so choose.

We may not like it, but this is the reality of the situation. So before you opt out of a social media platform, think long and hard about the cost of doing so.

OPEN METAVERSE

In this case, the metaverse is built in an open and decentralized manner on the principles of Web 3.0, built on blockchain technology, ensuring permissionless access and the ownership of data by the users. “A metaverse that won’t yield control in the hands of just a few but allows users to truly own their creations and data. In an open metaverse, digital items will be truly possessive thanks to NFTs, and users can monetize and trade their virtual goods and data at their will.”-RealVision

Imagine being able to shop, work, play, and socialize all in one place.

And should a single entity build and control the metaverse, they would wield an immense amount of power. So it’s important to be aware of the potential implications of the metaverse and make sure that we don’t hand over too much control to any one institution.

Decentraland and The Sandbox are two projects that are building the open metaverse on the principles of Web3. Decentraland is a virtual world where users can buy, sell, or trade virtual property.

The Sandbox is a game world where players can create their own games and experiences. Both projects are powered by blockchain technology, which allows for decentralization and security. The open metaverse is still in its early stages, but Decentraland and The Sandbox are leading the way in its development.

THE PROBLEM WITH A CLOSED METAVERSE

Web 3.0 and crypto enthusiasts are not the only ones building the metaverse.

The clear problem is that major tech companies don’t just want to be a part of the future metaverse, they want to define and own it, similar to how they control their Web 2.0 platforms.

The private industry is fully aware of the potential of the metaverse and probably has the most aggressive conviction about its future importance.

Several companies have publicly announced that they are building their own version of the metaverse. This usually comes with a commitment to fund metaverse projects with large sums of money and to delegate their best engineering talent to it.

WEB 2.0

Whoever controls the largest parts of the metaverse will be able to extract the largest profits from it. Meta (formerly Facebook) has even changed its name to openly communicate its intention AND lay claim to the metaverse.

They have also purchased the virtual reality headset company Oculus, which allows them to control the hardware entry point to the metaverse. The Metaverse is coming, and the tech giants are positioning themselves to be its gatekeepers.

Besides Meta, other early leaders in the metaverse space are well-known names in the tech industry. Microsoft, Amazon and Google are just the prime examples among many that are pursuing a metaverse vision. Unity, Valve, Epic Games, and Apple, to name just a few more, are also pursuing the metaverse as the next big thing.

IS THE CONFLICT OVER?

The recent push by large tech companies into the metaverse space has raised the question of whether the battle for an open and decentralized metaverse is already lost before it really begins. However, there are two significant forces that will make it much more difficult for the metaverse to be walled off and controlled by a few centralized entities.

The first is blockchain technology, which enables developers and artists, no longer reliant on VCs or large companies to finance them, to lay the foundations and create fully decentralized applications that are independent and outside of the reach of large tech companies.

Unlike in Web2.0, successful decentralized protocols running on a blockchain cannot be possessed by a single entity and, therefore, cannot be sold to a large company with deep pockets. Thus, consolidation on the application level is less likely to happen.

The second force is the fact that the metaverse will be built on existing infrastructure such as the internet and cellular networks. This will make it much harder for any one company to control or shut down access to the metaverse. In short, the battle for an open and decentralized metaverse is far from over.

The idea of augmented reality has been around for some time, but imagine a world where you can be anyone you want to be, where you can go anywhere you want to go, and where you can create anything you can imagine. An open-source creator economy on a blockchain network where billions of avatars interact.

This is the promise of the Metaverse, a virtual reality that is constantly being built and expanded by millions of its users. And to realize this promise, the metaverse must be built on blockchain technology.

Only blockchain provides true ownership of digital assets and guarantees access for everyone. And only blockchain allows users to own their data and monetize their creations at will. By harnessing the power of blockchain, the metaverse can become a truly free and open platform for creation, collaboration, and exploration. And that is why blockchain is essential for the metaverse.

FINAL THOUGHTS

We don’t really know much about the metaverse yet. It’s all still up in the air. Who will own and run it? What will it look like? We just don’t have enough information to make solid predictions. The metaverse will likely be created by a network of different platforms, blockchains, and technologies working together.

This cooperation and embracing of interoperability are essential for the success of the metaverse. Different organizations will need to be able to communicate and interact with each other to create a cohesive user experience. Only by working together can we hope to build something as ambitious as the metaverse.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To get to the other side of the metaverse!

How many avatars does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

We don’t know yet, the metaverse is still being built!

What do you call a metaverse inhabitant with no arms or legs?

A digital citizen!

UP NEXT

Refferences

Verify my work

**Disclaimer**

Cryptocurrencies and ICOs are all the rage these days, with everyone from celebrities to your next door neighbor looking to get in on the action. However, it’s important to remember that investing in cryptocurrencies and ICOs is highly risky and speculative. The prices of these assets can be incredibly volatile, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll make any money by investing in them. In fact, you could easily lose everything that you put into them. So if you’re thinking about investing in cryptocurrencies or ICOs, make sure that you understand the risks involved and only invest what you can afford to lose.

Crypto 101 part 5: Web 1 vs Web 2 vs Web 3?

Erik From The Decentralist — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 16:36:19 +0000

Table Of Contents[ Show ]

WEB 1 vs WEB 2 vs WEB 3?
Web 1.0, Where we come from; Web 2.0, Where we are; Web 3.0, Where we're headed
Web 1 vs Web 2 vs Web 3: Why does it matter?
Web 1.0:
Web 2.0:
Web 3.0:
So, what does all this mean for you?
Where does Web 2.0 End and Web 3.0 begin?
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions.
UP NEXT
REFERENCES

HI EVERYONE, AND WELCOME BACK! SO WHAT’S

WEB 1 vs WEB 2 vs WEB 3?

Web 1.0 is where the Web started; It was the “read-only Web,” static, all about reading, and getting information. Web 2.0 is where the web is now; the “participative social Web,” reading, writing, and creating; Social media, Corporations profiting from your personal data, and expansion of centralized control. Web 3.0 is where the web is going; the “read, write, execute Web, the metaverse, the blockchain. Empowering the individual to profit from their own data, decentralizing control to the people.

Web 1.0, Where we come from; Web 2.0, Where we are; Web 3.0, Where we're headed

You wake up, groggy and confused. You try to sit up, but your arms are tangled in something. You look down and see that you’re wrapped in a cocoon of webbing.

You try to stand up and realize that your feet are stuck to the ground. You look around and see that you’re in some kind of prehistoric forest. In the distance, you can hear the sound of dinosaurs roaring. You’re definitely not in Kansas anymore.

As you start to calm down and take stock of your situation, you realize that you have no idea how you got here. The last thing you remember is browsing Reddit before going to bed. You must have been sleep-browsing and somehow ended up in the web 1.0 era.

You start to explore your surroundings and quickly realize that everything is different. There are no buildings or roads, only trees, and plants as far as the eye can see. You also notice that there are no other people around. In fact, the only creatures you see are dinosaurs.

You eventually come across a lake and see your reflection. But, to your shock, you don’t see your own face staring back at you. You see the face of a web 1.0 web page. You have become a web page!

As you start to freak out, you hear a voice behind you. “Don’t worry, you’re not the first person to be stuck here.” You turn around and see a man wearing a toga and sandals.

“Who are you?” you ask.

“I am the Oracle of Delphi,” he replies. “I have been waiting for you.”

“Waiting for me? What do you mean?” you ask.

“You are the chosen one,” he says. “You must help us defeat the dinosaurs and save web 1.0.”

“But how am I supposed to do that?” you ask.

“I will give you a magical web page,” he says. “With this web page, you will be able to defeat the dinosaurs.”

“How do I use it?” you ask.

“When the time is right you will know,” he says. “Now go, and may web 1.0 be with you.”

With that, the Oracle vanishes in a puff of smoke. You are now alone in this strange place with no idea what to do next. But, you know one thing for sure. You have to save web 1.0!

Web 1 vs Web 2 vs Web 3: Why does it matter?

The internet has come a long way since its inception in the late 1960s. In its early days, the internet was primarily used by academics and the military for research and communication purposes.

But, it underwent a major transformation as became more accessible to the general public in the 1990s.

This transformation gave birth to what we then called the World Wide Web, simply known as the web today.

Have you noticed the terms “meta”, “metaverse’ and “web 3” being thrown around? It seems they’re being used more and more every single day.

Well, the web has come a long way since its early days as well. It has evolved from a static collection of pages to a dynamic and interactive platform that we use today.

This evolution can be divided into three distinct phases, which are often referred to as web 1.0, web 2.0, and web 3.0.

Web 1.0:

The first phase of the web, often referred to as web 1.0, was defined by static and largely informative websites. This was the early days of the internet when most people were just getting online for the first time. Web 1.0 sites were typically built using HTML and CSS, with very little dynamic content or interaction.

back to our story…….

You frantically try to think of what web 1.0 even is. All you remember hearing stories that it existed in an ancient time before the internet as we know it today; before technologies like the wheel or soap existed.

You remember stories about people using strange ancient tools called “desk-top computers” and home telephones to communicate with each other.

You notice that some homes don’t even have one of these tools in the house.

How did they do it? How did they even function?

You soon realize that you may never know the answer to that question, as a T-Rex comes lumbering towards you, ready to feast.

If you’re like me- ancient- you remember what web 1.0 was like. It was a simpler time, back when we used Geocities to host our websites and AOL Instant Messenger to communicate with our friends.

You probably don’t remember these things, because you likely didn’t exist. But if you could go back in time and use web 1.0, you’d be in for a real treat!

First of all, there’s no Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. You actually have to talk to people face-to-face, use hotmail to email people or use these ancient contraptions known as “home telephones” if you wanted to communicate with them!

And there’s no Google either – so if you want to look something up or you want to go to a website, you have to actually type the address into the address bar yourself (good luck with that).

In web 1.0, we eventually had Yahoo! as our search engine of choice, because Google didn’t exist yet.

Oh and the fun we all had connecting to the internet through our phone lines.

Speaking of Yahoo!, the homepage was completely different in web 1.0. Instead of a newsfeed or a list of your recent emails, it’s just a big directory of websites. And don’t even think about using Chrome or Firefox – web browsers in web 1.0 were nothing like that!

The most popular web browser, the only web browser in most cases, in web 1.0 was Internet Explorer. It was famous for its security vulnerabilities and for being very slow and clunky.

Web 2.0:

The second phase of the web, web 2.0, is defined by dynamic and interactive websites. This was the era of social media; when sites like MySpace and Facebook began to take off. Web 2.0 sites are built using more advanced technologies such as AJAX, which allows for more dynamic content and interaction.

You’ve evaded the T-Rex for now and made it to work. You’re sitting in your cubicle, happy that you haven’t been eaten and that you don’t need to worry about wearing a Covid mask.

You’re dos coding away on the latest web 1.0 site. You’ve been slaving over this thing for months and it’s finally starting to come together.

All of a sudden, you hear a voice behind you say “Welcome to the future!”

You turn around to see a man in a silver suit and a bright blue tie standing next to a shiny new laptop.

He opens it up and starts typing away at lightning speed, bringing up web pages that you’ve never seen before.

“This is web 2.0” he says. “Where the internet is controlled by a few major corporations who make billions of dollars selling our personal data and manipulating our search results.”

He then shows you how easy it is to find out everything about anyone with just a few clicks. “And they’re doing it all without our knowledge or consent,” he says with a shake of his head.

“But that’s not all,” he continues. “They’re also using this information to control what we see and think. They’re dictating what news we read, what ads we see, and even what products we buy.”

“Welcome to the future of the internet”, “A centralized, mutable and nontransparent utopia,” he says as he walks away, leaving you sitting in your cubicle, feeling scared and violated.

You think to yourself, maybe I was better off hiding from dinosaurs and waiting for dial-up internet service.

But then…… enter;

Web 3.0:

The third phase of the web, web 3.0, is still in its early stages of development. But it is generally defined as a semantically linked and intelligent web. This means that web 3.0 sites will be able to understand the meaning of the data that they are linking to, and will be able to provide more intelligent search results. Web 3.0 technologies are still in their infancy, but they hold a lot of promise for the future of the web.

Just as you’re beginning to think you’re stuck in this sad reality, You hear another voice. Someone says “psst, over here”. The time traveler returns and this time it’s a woman, she’s dressed in a gold suit with a red cape. She has a strange-looking giant “B” symbol with 2 lines running through it.

“I’m from web 3.0”, she says. “The future of the internet.”She then proceeds to show you how web 3.0 will be a decentralized, open web where everyone has equal access to information.

“There will be no more search engine manipulation, no more data harvesting, and no more central control,” she says.

“Web 3.0 will be a web of equals, where we all have the same power and access to information.”

She then hands you a business card with a web address on it and disappears in a puff of smoke. You sit there for a moment, stunned by what you’ve just seen and heard.

You then realize that you have the power to change the future of the web. You realize that, you’re not crazy, you’ve actually been sent through time again. all they to web 3.0, the future of the internet.

This is a web where everything is decentralized, and people own their own data. You’re excited to explore this new world, but you’re not sure what to expect. You soon find out that web 3.0 is a very different place than what you’re used to.

For starters, there are no more cubicles. Everyone is working from home, and most people are using decentralized platforms like Bitcoin and Ethereum to make money. You also quickly realize that web 3.0 is a world of video gamers. Everyone is playing games like Fortnite and CryptoKitties, and many people are making a lot of money by trading virtual assets.

You start to wonder how you can get in on the action. But before you can even figure it out, you hear someone say “Welcome to the future!” It’s that dude in the silver suit and blue tie from web 2.0. “I see you’ve made it to web 3.0” he says with a smile.

“This is a world where anything is possible.” The woman in gold says. She then proceeds to show you how web 3.0 is changing the world. He shows you how people are using decentralized applications to do everything from buying and selling homes to ordering food delivery.

“And the best part is that all of this is done without the need for central authorities like banks or governments,” she says. “This is the future of the internet, and it’s only just beginning.”

You then realize that web 3.0 is a world where you can be your own boss, and make your own rules. You’re excited to get started in this new world, and you can’t wait to see what the future holds.

It’s up to you to build a web 3.0 site that will help create a decentralized, open web for everyone.

So, what does all this mean for you?

Involvement. If you’re not on any social media, if you don’t watch movies listen to music play games, or interact with any website in any way other than reading content, You’re arguably a web 1.0er.

If, if you’re looking to get more involved with the web or interact with any site in any way, then you’ll need to move into the web 2.0 phase. And if you’re really serious about decentralization of the web and/or making a difference on it, getting into blockchain, smart contracts, interacting with cryptocurrency, crypto projects, or even basic crypto-based gaming, then you can consider yourself to be a part of web 3.0.

The web is constantly evolving, and it’s up to you to evolve with it. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!

Where does Web 2.0 End and Web 3.0 begin?

There is no precise answer to this question since Web 3.0 is still in its early stages of development. However, we can take a look at some of the technologies that are being developed for Web 3.0 and see how they differ from those used in Web 2.0.

One of the most important differences between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 is the way in which data is stored and accessed. In Web 2.0, data is typically stored on centralized servers controlled by a single entity, such as a corporation or government. This can make it difficult for individuals to access their data or control how it is used.

In contrast, Web 3.0 technologies aim to decentralize data storage and give individuals more control over their data. One way this is being accomplished is through the use of blockchain technology.

Blockchain is a distributed database that allows anyone to store and access data in a secure and transparent way. This could have major implications for how we interact with the internet, as it would allow users to control their own data and ensure that it is used in a fair and transparent way.

Another key difference between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 is the way in which users interact with the web. In Web 2.0, users typically consume content that is created by others, such as articles, videos, or music.

While this can be a great way to consume content, it doesn’t allow users to create their own content or interact with other users in a meaningful way.

Web 3.0 technologies aim to change this by giving users the ability to create their own content and interact with other users in a more meaningful way. One example of this is the development of decentralized applications (dApps).

DApps are applications that run on a decentralized network, such as a blockchain. This allows developers to create applications that are not controlled by any central authority and that can be used by anyone in the world.

Another example of Web 3.0 technology is the Interplanetary File System (IPFS). IPFS is a decentralized file storage system that allows users to store and share files in a secure and efficient way.

This could have major implications for how we share and access content on the internet, as it would allow users to store and share files without the need for a central server.

Final Thoughts

So, as you can see, there are some key differences between Web 1.0 Vs Web 2.0 vs Web 3.0 technologies. Web 1.0 shows us where we come from and, in many ways outlines the ideal intent of the web-just without the technology to realize those dreams.

Web 2.0 technologies are focused on centralized data storage and content consumption,

Web 3.0 technologies aim to decentralize this data storage and give users more control over their data and ultimately their lives.

Additionally, while Web 2.0 technologies allow users to consume content created by others, Web 3.0 technologies aim to give users the ability to create their own content and interact with other users in a more meaningful way.

Frequently Asked Questions.

What was the internet like in the early days?

The internet in the early days was a lot like the wild west. There were no rules and everyone was just trying to figure out what worked and what didn’t. It was a lot of trial and error.

How did we move from the early days of the internet to where we are now?

We moved from the early days of the internet to where we are now by developing better technologies and standards. We also learned from our mistakes and became better at using the internet.

What is the difference between web 1.0, web 2.0, and web 3.0?

The main difference between web 1.0, web 2.0, and web 3.0 is the way in which data is stored and accessed. In web 1.0, data was typically stored on central servers and accessed by users through a web browser.

In web 2.0, data is still stored on central servers, but the way in which it is accessed has changed. In web 2.0, users typically consume content that is created by others, such as articles, videos, or music.

In web 3.0, the focus is on decentralizing data storage and giving users more control over their data. Additionally, while web 2.0 technologies allow users to consume content created by others, web 3.0 technologies aim to give users the ability to create their own content and interact with other users in a more meaningful way.

What are some examples of web 3.0 technologies?

Some examples of web 3.0 technologies include the development of decentralized applications (dApps) and the Interplanetary File System (IPFS).

The Interplanetary File System (IPFS) is a decentralized file storage system that allows users to store and share files in a secure and efficient way. This could have major implications for how we share and access content on the internet, as it would allow users to store and share files without the need for a central server.

What are some of the benefits of web 3.0 technologies?

Some of the benefits of web 3.0 technologies include increased security, privacy, and decentralization.

With web 3.0 technologies, users have more control over their data and how it is used. Additionally, because these technologies are decentralized, they are not subject to the same problems as centralized systems, such as outages or censorship.

Finally, web 3.0 technologies have the potential to provide a more efficient and secure way of storing and sharing data.

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REFERENCES

Verify my work