Introducing the Free Metaverse Foundation
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape where the term "Metaverse" has become synonymous with the next frontier of social and technological interaction, the Free Metaverse Foundation (FMF) emerges as a beacon for digital freedom and innovation. With a manifesto and a clear set of definitions that outline their vision, the FMF aims to break down the barriers of what they term "closedverses"—restrictive, proprietary metaverse environments—and pave the way for a truly free and open digital realm.
The Manifesto: A Call for Liberation
The Free Metaverse Foundation's manifesto begins with a stark proclamation: "There is no Metaverse. And there won’t be any, ever, unless we find a way to overcome the absolute walled garden effect that today's various 'closedverses' deliberately create." This statement encapsulates the FMF's core belief that current iterations of the metaverse, controlled by tech giants, are fundamentally flawed. These "closedverses" are described as iron-clad labyrinths that entrap users in transparent cages, offering the illusion of freedom while exercising total control over access and interaction.
The FMF argues that the metaverse, by its very nature, should transcend physical reality, providing an open and limitless space for human creativity, interaction, and expression. They see the current trend of metaverse development as a perilous path towards new forms of digital totalitarianism, where a few powerful entities dictate the rules of engagement and interaction.
Defining a Free Metaverse
According to the FMF, a free metaverse must guarantee three essential freedoms, inspired by the principles of the Free Software Foundation:
- Users should have the liberty to access the metaverse, operate within it, and leave it at will, without any external permission or control.
- Users must have the right to represent themselves in any manner they choose, fostering a diverse and inclusive digital environment.
- Users should be able to build content and extend the metaverse's space without limitations, ensuring continuous growth and innovation.
These freedoms form the cornerstone of the FMF's vision, ensuring that the metaverse remains a collaborative and ever-evolving space.
The Path Forward: Open Standards and Collaboration
To achieve their vision, the FMF advocates for the development and adoption of open, extensible protocols, languages, and standards. They emphasize the need for "soft tools"—minimalistic and highly extensible frameworks that allow for maximum creativity and innovation. By promoting these standards, the FMF aims to ensure that all aspects of communication, interaction, and transaction within the metaverse remain free and open.
Moreover, the FMF does not seek to eliminate existing closedverses or commercial interests within the metaverse. Instead, they aim to strike a balance, ensuring that a plurality of visions, languages, and standards coexist, fostering resilience and universal accessibility.
A Vision for the Future
The Free Metaverse Foundation envisions the metaverse as a transformative space, capable of reshaping human interaction, knowledge, and creativity. They believe in the potential of virtual, augmented, and mixed realities to create unprecedented forms of expression and community-building. The metaverse, in their view, should be an open environment where anyone can develop their identity, generate new ideas, and explore unknown realms.
In a world where technology increasingly mediates our perception of reality, the FMF's mission is to safeguard digital freedom and ensure that the metaverse remains an open and collaborative space. As the digital frontier continues to expand, the Free Metaverse Foundation stands as a crucial advocate for a future where everyone has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the boundless possibilities of the metaverse.
By promoting open standards and advocating for digital freedoms, the FMF is laying the groundwork for a metaverse that truly reflects the collective potential of humanity. Their work is not just about technology, but about ensuring that the metaverse becomes a space where freedom, creativity, and innovation can thrive.
