Metaverse, the new revolutionary virtual world. It’s interactive, immersive, and collaborative. All you need is a VR headset, and you’re part of it. So how will this impact public speaking experiences?
Nowadays, we spend more and more time in the virtual space. There the public speaking experience has changed. It is often about speaking in front of a computer to people located in different parts of the world. So, generally speaking, this seems the obvious way to go. It was expected. Metaverse is not one more social network. It goes one step further because it is real-er.
Implications and possibilities
When talking about Metaverse, you’re talking about alternative universes and avatars. Those things, not that many years ago, were only possible in sci-fi movies. The implications of this fast technological evolution are endless – both positive and negative.
There are no limits in a virtual world, not even our own imagination. This new world is more than a simple replica of the existing world. It promises to impact all dimensions of our lives – socialization, work and productivity, shopping, entertainment, even the world’s economy.
It is not possible to predict where Metaverse is taking us. Yet, one thing we know for sure – new ways of interaction provide new opportunities. This includes public speaking training and performance.
The future lands here
The expectations are high, and they dictate that the virtual world will become wider and a larger part of our lives in the near future. There is no way around it. You can’t avoid it.
Whether inside VR, AR or even only on a computer screen, the Metaverse is expected to be a turning point in our lives. It is said to be highly immersive, and some expect a great part of the business world to be impacted. So how can public speaking activities escape it? They can’t.
Many companies have already started investing in VR technology for training and even to execute some tasks. It is a world in growth, but until what point? The moment will come when we’ll do (almost) everything in Metaverse? Mark Zuckerberg seems to believe so.
Concerning companies, it will offer new ways of engaging with clients and relating with co-workers. It can be another tool to predict your customers’ behaviors. These new ways of establishing relationships and engaging with different people will significantly impact your public speaking. You must learn how to build this new type of relationship and connect in this new world.
Relationships
Communication is about relationships. When you speak in public, you establish a relationship with your audience. How will Metaverse impact that relationship?
The Metaverse is a shared space, a world inside the world, and emotion is involved. You’ll establish connections and even get attached to them. Even if it’s not physical, it is possible to establish an emotional connection. Yet, it is different.
When you’re at a conference, you can quickly feel detached, which decreases your attention and interest level. Wouldn’t you feel more detached in a world that isn’t real?
There isn’t a simple answer to this question. It has many variables involved. It depends on your generation and the way you face the virtual world. Yet, there is something that we all agree: it is a special kind of audience. How to connect with them? Is it possible to establish a real connection in a non-real world? Does it requires a new set of skills, or is it killing the principle of public speaking?
If you can pass the message, your performance was successful. The problem is: can you genuinely pass the message within this new concept?
Is it real enough?
Despite all the doubts many experts in different areas had shared, the truth is that something like Metaverse seems to be just one more step. One more step in the path we have already been taking since the 90s. In that decade, the first online communities were born, and they have been part of our lives since then. Virtual activities are as socially rewarding as going out with friends for the younger generations. It is real and important in their lives.
So, should speakers around the world be concerned? Unfortunately, we can not yet predict exactly what will happen and its actual impact, but it is a challenge for you to embrace.
Changes are always scary, but humanity has this fantastic ability to adapt. In fact, this new virtual world can be the opportunity you’re looking for to reach more people safely from your apartment.
Cátia is a psychologist who is passionate about helping children develop and train social skills.
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