The competition has heated up and the stakes couldn’t be higher! This year, Metaverse has officially been nominated as one of the three candidates for the coveted Oxford Word of the Year (WOTY).
A Glimpse into the Nomination
On November 22, Oxford University Press (OUP) dropped the bombshell announcement of not just the nominees but also the delicious twist that public participation is now on the menu. The three words vying for our applause include:
- Metaverse
- #IStandWith
- Goblin Mode
What in the World is the Metaverse?
For the uninitiated, the term ‘metaverse’ refers to a hyper-futuristic virtual reality environment where users can interact with avatars and digital surroundings in stunningly immersive ways. It sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, right? Well, you’d be surprised to know the word was first coined in 1992 in Snow Crash, a novel by Neil Stephenson.
Fast-forward to October 2022; its usage has skyrocketed, quadrupling since the previous year, perhaps due to the ever-growing discussions around hybrid working and our virtual future.
Competing Candidates: A Closer Look
While Metaverse is getting all the buzz, let’s not ignore its stiff competition:
- #IStandWith: A rallying cry for political activism that has exploded in usage.
- Goblin Mode: The state of being unapologetically lazy, eschewing societal norms for some good old-fashioned ‘me time’.
Seriously, voter turnout can’t just be for the serious contenders—let’s indulge in our inner goblins!
The Voting Extravaganza
How can you not get involved in this thrilling event? You can cast your vote for your favorite term over at Oxford Languages’ website until December 2, with over 237,000 votes already in! Currently, it seems people might just be more into living their best goblin life, as a Twitter poll shows “Goblin Mode” leading the pack with 63% of votes.
The Financial Forecast
Regardless of whether it wins or not, the metaverse has a bright future ahead! Recent forecasts indicate that technologies related to the metaverse might balloon to a staggering $5 trillion by 2030. Another financial heavyweight, Citi, predicts it could even range anywhere from $8 to $13 trillion! Just think, every time you log in, you might be stepping into a goldmine.
With the increasing influence of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and Mark Zuckerberg’s bold leap into the metaverse as part of his Meta rebranding, the future certainly looks digitally dazzling.
+ There are no comments
Add yours