Life at the end of the metaverse: a critique of big tech's failed virtual future
By
James Ball
Summary
A reflective, first-person narrative set in 2026, where the author stands in a metaverse virtual world at the stroke of midnight, observing the ironic disconnect between the supposed "end of the world" in the simulation and the indifference of its inhabitants. The piece uses this scene as a springboard to critique big tech's failed metaverse ambitions — particularly Mark Zuckerberg's bet that led to renaming Facebook as Meta — arguing that tech bosses built a future nobody wanted and are now repeating the same mistake with AI.
Source
bskyLife at the end of the metaverse: a critique of big tech's failed virtual futureprospectmagazine.co.ukKey quotes
· 3 pulledIt is almost midnight at the close of 15th June 2026, and I am standing in the middle of a world that is supposed to be ending, not that anyone nearby seems all that concerned by the prospect.
Mark Zuckerberg was so convinced the metaverse was the next big thing that he renamed his company after it.
Tech bosses are repeating his mistake.
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