"Stephenson believes that another 20 years into the future, devices like smartphones will still dominate. 'Or at least that is the case if the only alternative is wearing things on their faces.'"
"He thinks even slimming metaverse-ready hardware down from bulky goggles to resemble conventional eyeglasses won't work, because such devices 'have the unintended side effect of making these things seem sinister.'"
"'When someone holds up their phone, it's obvious that you are on camera. That's not true in the case of glasses or goggles. So it's creepy.'"
"Stephenson thinks VR headwear has become a dead end, because sales have been so low they're a risky proposition for developers."
Neal Stephenson, who coined the term 'metaverse,' reflects on the failure of immersive environments to require head-mounted hardware. He believes that smartphones will remain dominant for the next 20 years. Stephenson notes that head-mounted displays create a sense of unease, as they obscure the user's attention and intentions. He argues that even if VR hardware becomes sleeker, it will still be perceived as sinister. The low sales of VR headwear indicate a dead end for this technology, making it a risky investment for developers.
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