SDF

As the Covid-19 pandemic has become a prolonged uncertainty, virtual realities are fast becoming a part of the new normal for life. The terms such as “Metaverse” and “Avatar” are changing the way we live, communicate, and think. 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of Neal Stephenson’s classic cyberpunk novel Snow Crash where he coined and popularized these two game-changing terms. Locked down in a world of chaos, we are trying to find new common ground where we can adapt and live differently, but in a way without losing a sense of togetherness. We see that science fiction can serve as one of the guiding lights that may show us a way forward. What really is the Metaverse and what impact will it have on the future of our world? What implications does it have for our society? For instance, what kind of a reciprocal relationship shall we create between science and politics? Also, what strength and goodness can we derive from the genre of science fiction and how can we keep nurturing the sci-fi-inspired innovation culture? Hailed as a pioneering voice behind a revolution in the virtual world, Neal Stephenson, a bestselling writer of many boundary-breaking novels, shares his vision and insights. We welcome you to enjoy his first interview with Korean media.