The 1992 cyberpunk novel snow shock introduced the word “metaverse,” a term now used in tech circles and fraught with great hopes of redefining the Internet.

This space is still forming, and gaps remain between the visions being woven of what a metaverse-infused future might look like and what exists today.

While definitions vary on what exactly constitutes a metaverse, they are commonly described as interactive, persistent, and immersive digital environments, and often one that mimics the real world to some degree.

These platforms are often expected to be used for activities such as socializing, entertainment, e-commerce, and work meetings.

Today, people commonly access the Internet as text and visual elements…