The concept of a place is complicated by the coexistence of real and virtual worlds, reshaping our understanding of what’s local and global. As a result, the Western viewpoint will no longer dominate and a diverse perspective will take place.

Analysis

Digital worlds will become realistic and fluid, to the point that lives can be lived digitally first if desired. Phygital technologies will also bridge the gap between real and virtual, enabling distanced communication and compelling new shared experiences.

According to DataReportal’s Digital 2022 Global Overview Report, the typical working-age internet user now spends six hours and 37 minutes using connected devices and services each day, which adds up to 100 days a year. As we increase time spent in borderless cyberspace, geographies will matter less.

In the future, humans will opt into communities not based on geographical location, but on shared ideologies and interests. This will allow non-Western influences to transcend borders and shape global pop culture. An example of this would be Indian startup OneRare, which capitalises on the metaverse and borderless blockchain to help make the global culinary scene accessible. It collaborates with chefs from around the world to bring virtual food experiences to life, whether it’s through a virtual restaurant, event experience or unique gameplay, allowing chefs to share their food culture with global audiences.

Another example can be seen through the rise of DAO (decentralised autonomous organisation), which are globally accessible and similar to other decentralised networks, and offer users control and ownership over data while providing a space to connect over a common interest, goals and values. CityDAO is building the next great city, starting with a piece of land in Wyoming. Its global pool of talent works together to identify how the city would be built and governed. Friends With Benefits, a social DAO, is working toward providing members with digital neighbourhoods that connect them to each other to create a community economy, where different subcultures could flourish.

Why it matters

The metaverse has the potential to unite people from different parts of the world and promote cultural understanding and empathy in a way that is fun, engaging and accessible. Designers and innovators should be ready to identify and collaborate with diverse players of niche, localised backgrounds to achieve new aesthetics and levels of creativity.

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