An incisive glimpse into the future of the internetIn Step into the Metaverse: How the Immersive Internet Will Unlock a Trillion-Dollar Social Economy, future tech strategist, entrepreneur, and thought leader Dr. Mark van Rijmenam delivers a startlingly insightful discussion about how the world as we know it will fundamentally change as the physical and the digital worlds merge into the metaverse, impacting the everyday experiences of people, companies, and societies. The author maps out the extraordinary opportunities and challenges facing business leaders, consumers, regulators, policymakers, and other metaverse stakeholders trying to navigate the future of the Internet.In the metaverse, you can be who you want to be, where you want to be, and companies and consumers are only restricted by their own creativity how they can benefit from the immersive internet. With engaging commentary on issues ranging from avatars, identity and digital fashion to non-fungible tokens (NFTs), blockchain and the economics of the metaverse, this book also offers:* Discussions on the importance of an open and interoperable metaverse build on the web 3.0 paradigm if we want to reign in the control of Big Tech over our identity, data and lives.* Explorations of the enormous--and largely untapped--potential for metaverse entertainment, including gaming, music, media, and sports and how brands can engage with their customers in novel ways and how digital twins will change how we work and innovate.* Considerations related to the dangers of an always-on, immersive internet, including data breaches, avatar imposters, mental health issues, corporate and state surveillance, and the need for metaverse law.A fascinating read you won't be able to put down, Step into the Metaverse belongs in the hands of executives, managers, and other business leaders who play a role in digital transformation or execution. It's also an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the future of technology, the internet, and social interaction.

About the Author ixForeword xPreface xii2032 xivIntroduction xxiiiChapter 1: The Future Is Immersive 1From Web 1.0 to Web 3.0 1From AR to VR to XR 8What Can the Metaverse Become? 12Six Characteristics of the Metaverse 17Interoperability 18Decentralization 20Persistency 22Spatiality 24Community-Driven 25Self- Sovereignty 26An Open Metaverse Means Freedom 30An Endless Blue Ocean 31Chapter 2: Creating an Open Metaverse 35Open vs. Closed 35The Hybrid Web 41An Open Economic System 44Chapter 3: Be Who You Want to Be 47The Rise of the Avatars 47Digital Fashion 55iCommerce 62A Cambrian Explosion of Identity 65Chapter 4: Be Where You Want to Be 67Virtual Worlds 67Gaming in the Metaverse 74Sports in the Metaverse 77Media and Entertainment in the Metaverse 80Education in the Metaverse 83Power to the Creators 86Chapter 5: Unbounded Creativity for Brands 89Beyond flash 89The Power of an Immersive Community 92Endless New Touchpoints 94Continuous and Real- Time Insights 95Increased Sustainability 96Virtual World Considerations 97The Era of Experience Marketing 98Creativity, Community, and Co- Creation 102Chapter 6: Exponential Enterprise Connectivity 107A Changing World 107The Future of Immersive Work 110The Metaverse Job Market 114How to Get Started 117Digital Twins 117The Role of Governments 125Chapter 7: The Creator Economy 129A Vibrant Metaverse Economy 129Why Tokens Matter 133Challenges of NFTs 138Digital Real Estate 143Economic Mechanisms 146From DeFi to MetaFi 150Chapter 8: Digitalism in the Metaverse 155Technology Is Neutral 155Dangers of the Metaverse 156The Datafication of Everything 157Privacy Is an Illusion 158Abuse, Harassment, and Illegal Content 159Imposter Avatars 160Data Security 161Increased Inequality 162Bad Bots Controlling the Web 162Increased Polarization 163Biased AI 164Health Issues 165Verification, Education, and Regulation 165Verification 166Education 168Regulation 169Surveillance or Empowerment 171Chapter 9: The Future of the Metaverse 175BCI: The Future of Immersive Experiences 175A Renaissance of Art, Creativity, and Innovation 178Epilogue 183Acknowledgments 186References 189Index 215