“What it is What is new, in this case, is that the people of Tuvalu expect their future metaverse-based civilization to continue to function as a state and be recognized internationally as a proper nation.”

B.n the year 3000, the small island nation of Tuvalu will likely be under water. Even today, the capital district is 40% submerged at high tide. But Tuvalu is not planning to be wiped off the map. Defying its fate through technology, the island nation is rebuilding itself virtually. It’s relocating to the metaverse.

The metaverse project is partly about preserving Tuvaluan culture. It’s fascinating that the metaverse is put to this use, but the spirit of the project isn’t entirely new. People have always used the media tools of their time…