Talk with Metaverse residents – a new identity and diversity | IGF 2023
Event report
Speakers and Moderators
Speakers:
- Virtual Girl Nem, Metaverse Culture Evangelist
- Liudmila Bredikhina, University of Malta, Civil Society, WEOG
- MAEMURA Akinori, JPNIC, Technical Community, Asia
Moderators:
- MAEMURA Akinori, JPNIC
- Shin YAMASAKI, JPNIC
Table of contents
Disclaimer: This is not an official record of the IGF session. The DiploAI system automatically generates these resources from the audiovisual recording. Resources are presented in their original format, as provided by the AI (e.g. including any spelling mistakes). The accuracy of these resources cannot be guaranteed. The official record of the session can be found on the IGF's official website.
Knowledge Graph of Debate
Session report
Virtual Girl Nem
The Metaverse represents a transformative innovation within the realm of Virtual Reality, fostering environments conducive to the development of sustainable infrastructure and communities (SDG 9 and 11). It heralds a new norm of living; a universe consciously designed to enhance human existence. Statistics reveal a surge in daily user engagement, with a notable proportion of users spending more than three hours per session, indicative of widespread global adoption of this digital sphere.
Furthermore, the Metaverse significantly influences human communication mechanics, fostering unconventional social interactions that indirectly contribute to quality education and overall well-being (SDG 4 and 3). By eliminating traditional filters such as age, gender, and titles, the Metaverse cultivates relationships based on personalities over visuals, promoting a healthier form of digital sociability.
In the Metaverse, adopting a virtual identity effects a paradigm shift in personal representation, aiding in reducing socio-cultural inequalities and bolstering gender equity (SDG 10 and 5). Data suggests a trend, showing most users prefer avatars with feminine characteristics, hinting at an increased demand for feminine representation in digital culture.
Alongside this preference for feminine avatars, a reduction in the gender gap in virtual identities is apparent. This is primarily due to an increase in the availability of masculine avatars, offering users wider choices in customising their virtual selves. Changing avatar gender is gaining popularity for reasons beyond the available supply, encompassing fashion and the aspiration for more effective communication.
Consider the case of 'Virtual Girl Nem', who has spent between three to five years in the Metaverse. Her ability to switch seamlessly between the virtual and physical world by wearing VR goggles, exemplifies human adaptability to this new digital era. Nem’s experience showcases the evolution of human adaptability, as we navigate varied environments both professionally and personally.
Within the Metaverse, it has been identified that for success, effective user communication is vital—a challenge currently faced by numerous tech giants. The service sector should focus on establishing sound communication with users to garner positive results in the Metaverse. The Metaverse's future invites considerable optimism, primarily due to its potential to offer myriad business opportunities and redefine human communication. Prioritising effective user service interactions is fundamental for the Metaverse to flourish successfully.
In summation, the Metaverse contributes to various Sustainable Development Goals by fostering innovation, promoting equality, and revolutionising communication dynamics. With a growing user base and evolving identities, the potential for the Metaverse is vast. However, to truly achieve its potential, an efficient communication approach, crucial to engaging users, is key to driving its progressive development.
Liudmila Bredikhina
The revie proves a testament to the transformative impact of the Metaverse, most notably underlining the pivotal role avatars possess as instruments of self-expression and communication. Equipped with these avatars, users transcend their physical world identities, thereby uniquely manifesting different aspects of their self-image, conforming or challenging prevailing gender norms. This premise supports SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure as the Metaverse serves as a creative conduit for its users.
Significant is the commonplace trend of gender swapping within the Metaverse. This potential proves avant-garde, administering individuals with a fresh platform to experience and embody alternate gender identities, which might be beyond their grasp in the physical realm. Disseminated statistics indicate that over 70% of both male and female Metaverse users adopt feminine persona. This remarkable progression promotes broader comprehension of gender, propelling the goals of SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Embedded within the insights is the revelation of the unfortunate ubiquity of harassment within the Metaverse, stressing that women and minorities predominantly suffer unwarranted behaviour. This distressing element poses a threat to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, signalling urgent reforms needed to uphold user safety.
Responding to these safety anxieties, users have voiced fervent need for more secure and less restrictive experiences within the Metaverse. Their specifications embrace enhanced flexibility in self-defence mechanisms, rigorous moderation and an adjustable safety framework. They also emphasised trepidation regarding possible overarching restrictions curtailing their freedom within the Metaverse.
Interestingly, the analysis places heavy emphasis on the motivations of the involved companies, determining the success of the Metaverse. It elucidates that incorporating ethics at the heart of corporative goals assures optimal utilisation and effective marketisation within the Metaverse, whilst minimising exploitative practices.
Finally, there is substantial advocacy towards embedding rules within the Metaverse that champion diversity and ethical wellbeing, aligning with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 5: Gender Equality. This insight insists on the significance of such directives to counteract the potential emergence of monopolies, maintaining ethical equilibrium. This sentiment certainly parallels the understanding that behind every avatar in the Metaverse reside genuine individuals deserving courteous treatment.
In conclusion, the Metaverse renders a creative space teeming with opportunities for self-expression, communication and exploration. However, it equally flags challenges, from harassment to monopolistic threats, all of which require staunch mitigation strategies to construct an ethical, diverse, and equitable virtual world.
Moderator
The dialogue reveals multiple facets of the emerging Metaverse; a virtual realm which creates opportunities for personal expression, introduces unique challenges, and might potentially offer cognitive health benefits.
An intriguing insight is that individuals' virtual identities within the Metaverse are frequently influenced by their cultural backgrounds. Crucially, this online platform provides a space for people to explore alternate gender identities, enabling them to challenge or uphold dominant gender norms. The Metaverse is thus a vehicle for users to express elements of their identities they might find hard to communicate in the physical world.
However, no digital universe is devoid of real-world problems. The discussion highlights a deeply troubling issue: harassment within the Metaverse. Alarmingly, women and minorities are particularly targeted for such experiences. More concerning is the notion that merely possessing a feminine avatar can invite more harassment, hinting at a concerning digital perpetuation of gender-based discrimination.
Complementing these insights, data from Japan demonstrates how economic stagnation and cultural expectations are spurring some men to assume feminine virtual avatars, as a means of escaping societal pressure. The Metaverse thus emerges as an instrument for challenging and navigating around pre-established socio-cultural norms.
Nonetheless, while grappling with the challenges the Metaverse presents, users are not necessarily advocating restrictive legislation. Most prefer superior moderating processes, improved reporting systems, and adaptable safety measures as opposed to stringent regulation that could potentially squash their virtual freedom and enjoyment.
Notwithstanding the challenges and inequalities, a positive aspect of this virtual experience comes to light. Adjusting between the Metaverse and physical reality is feasible. The transitional process is likened to mood shifts experienced when moving between formal and relaxed states.
Extending this concept, it is proposed that the cognitive effort needed to adapt to the Metaverse could serve a health-promoting role. The brain stimulation incurred from shifting realities might act as a form of anti-ageing training, supporting longevity and cognitive health.
In conclusion, this discourse presents a nuanced perspective of the Metaverse. It emphasises its potential as a platform for alternative identity performance and the troubling prevalence of harassment within it. There's an urgent need for enhanced safety measures, albeit with a resistance to restrictive legislation. The evolving nature of the Metaverse continues to inspire questions and curiosity, particularly regarding the cognitive health benefits of engaging within this emerging virtual world.
Audience
The summary primarily probes into two predominant themes related to the virtual realm, with specific emphasis on the Metaverse.
One primary focal point is the possible fatigue and confusion triggered in the human brain due to exposure to virtual reality. This concern is rooted mainly in the proposal centred on Naem-san, who, despite existing within the virtual universe, may still be susceptible to physical exhaustion due to her organic essence remaining seeded in palpable reality. This sentiment is encapsulated by a palpable undercurrent of worry, with a spectator voicing apprehension over the possibility that the stark distinction between tangible and virtual realities could result in brain confusion, especially when both realities intermingle.
In contrast, the other focus orbits around curiosity and intrigue regarding commercial practices within the Metaverse. This curiosity hails from inquiries about the function of firms within this digital expanse and their strategic marketing operations. The sentiment resonates with neutrality, emerging from a quest to comprehend the mechanisms and dynamics of the Metaverse. The breadth of these inquiries broadens to encompass speculations about monetary exchanges within the Metaverse. This curiosity is solidified by the acknowledgment that the speakers have noted businesses inaugurating marketing ventures within the virtual dimension, and have voiced a keenness to discern more about the role and potential advantages for users and businesses alike.
The extensive dissection of these themes provides insight into human adaptability in relation to rising virtual environments such as the Metaverse. Moreover, the analysis underscores the escalating significance and potential of such digital spaces for commercial purposes, illustrating the importance of comprehending their dynamics and functionalities. Nevertheless, the analysis also highlights potential challenges, particularly concerning physical and mental well-being, hence presenting areas requiring further inquiry and research.
Speakers
A
Audience
Speech speed
157 words per minute
Speech length
198 words
Speech time
76 secs
Arguments
Naem-san might be getting tired from being in virtual reality
Supporting facts:
- Naem-san's physical body is real, so she may be experiencing fatigue despite being in the virtual world.
- The audience member fears that the brain may cause confusion due to the juxtaposition of virtual reality and physical reality.
Topics: virtual reality, fatigue, human brain confusion
Inquiries about the metaverse, particularly about the role of companies, marketing strategies, and the use of money within the metaverse
Supporting facts:
- NEM requested to explain more about it
- Mention of companies trying to launch marketing in the metaverse
Topics: Metaverse, Marketing strategies, Business in metaverse, Monetary interaction
Report
The summary primarily probes into two predominant themes related to the virtual realm, with specific emphasis on the Metaverse. One primary focal point is the possible fatigue and confusion triggered in the human brain due to exposure to virtual reality.
This concern is rooted mainly in the proposal centred on Naem-san, who, despite existing within the virtual universe, may still be susceptible to physical exhaustion due to her organic essence remaining seeded in palpable reality. This sentiment is encapsulated by a palpable undercurrent of worry, with a spectator voicing apprehension over the possibility that the stark distinction between tangible and virtual realities could result in brain confusion, especially when both realities intermingle.
In contrast, the other focus orbits around curiosity and intrigue regarding commercial practices within the Metaverse. This curiosity hails from inquiries about the function of firms within this digital expanse and their strategic marketing operations. The sentiment resonates with neutrality, emerging from a quest to comprehend the mechanisms and dynamics of the Metaverse.
The breadth of these inquiries broadens to encompass speculations about monetary exchanges within the Metaverse. This curiosity is solidified by the acknowledgment that the speakers have noted businesses inaugurating marketing ventures within the virtual dimension, and have voiced a keenness to discern more about the role and potential advantages for users and businesses alike.
The extensive dissection of these themes provides insight into human adaptability in relation to rising virtual environments such as the Metaverse. Moreover, the analysis underscores the escalating significance and potential of such digital spaces for commercial purposes, illustrating the importance of comprehending their dynamics and functionalities.
Nevertheless, the analysis also highlights potential challenges, particularly concerning physical and mental well-being, hence presenting areas requiring further inquiry and research.
LB
Liudmila Bredikhina
Speech speed
171 words per minute
Speech length
3517 words
Speech time
1231 secs
Arguments
Avatars are significant tools for self-expression and communication in the Metaverse.
Supporting facts:
- Users' virtual identities are transformed from their physical world self.
- Through avatars, individuals can support or subvert hegemonic gender norms.
Topics: Metaverse, Self-expression, Virtual Reality, Avatars, Communication
Gender swapping in Metaverse enables individuals to experience alternative gender identities.
Supporting facts:
- Gender norms of the physical world can encourage users to desire or experiment with gender identities in the Metaverse.
- According to research, almost more than 70% male and female users use feminine appearances.
Topics: Metaverse, Gender swapping, Self-expression, Virtual Reality, Avatars
Harassment is a significant issue in the Metaverse.
Supporting facts:
- Data collected shows harassment in Metaverse is quite significant.
- Women and minorities experience more unwanted behavior.
Topics: Metaverse, Harassment, Safety, User Experience
Users desire safer and less restrictive experiences in the Metaverse.
Supporting facts:
- Users want more flexible tools to defend themselves, stricter moderation, adjustable safety measures, and are concerned about potential restrictions that may limit their freedom.
Topics: Metaverse, Harassment, Safety, User Experience
The metaverse success depends on the company's motivations
Supporting facts:
- Mentioned that it depends on whether or not the company's motivations are exploitative.
- Suggested the leaders of the companies play a significant role in how they use and market in the Metaverse.
Topics: Metaverse, Company's motivations, Monopolies, Virtual World
Report
The revie proves a testament to the transformative impact of the Metaverse, most notably underlining the pivotal role avatars possess as instruments of self-expression and communication. Equipped with these avatars, users transcend their physical world identities, thereby uniquely manifesting different aspects of their self-image, conforming or challenging prevailing gender norms.
This premise supports SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure as the Metaverse serves as a creative conduit for its users. Significant is the commonplace trend of gender swapping within the Metaverse. This potential proves avant-garde, administering individuals with a fresh platform to experience and embody alternate gender identities, which might be beyond their grasp in the physical realm.
Disseminated statistics indicate that over 70% of both male and female Metaverse users adopt feminine persona. This remarkable progression promotes broader comprehension of gender, propelling the goals of SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. Embedded within the insights is the revelation of the unfortunate ubiquity of harassment within the Metaverse, stressing that women and minorities predominantly suffer unwarranted behaviour.
This distressing element poses a threat to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, signalling urgent reforms needed to uphold user safety. Responding to these safety anxieties, users have voiced fervent need for more secure and less restrictive experiences within the Metaverse.
Their specifications embrace enhanced flexibility in self-defence mechanisms, rigorous moderation and an adjustable safety framework. They also emphasised trepidation regarding possible overarching restrictions curtailing their freedom within the Metaverse. Interestingly, the analysis places heavy emphasis on the motivations of the involved companies, determining the success of the Metaverse.
It elucidates that incorporating ethics at the heart of corporative goals assures optimal utilisation and effective marketisation within the Metaverse, whilst minimising exploitative practices. Finally, there is substantial advocacy towards embedding rules within the Metaverse that champion diversity and ethical wellbeing, aligning with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 5: Gender Equality.
This insight insists on the significance of such directives to counteract the potential emergence of monopolies, maintaining ethical equilibrium. This sentiment certainly parallels the understanding that behind every avatar in the Metaverse reside genuine individuals deserving courteous treatment. In conclusion, the Metaverse renders a creative space teeming with opportunities for self-expression, communication and exploration.
However, it equally flags challenges, from harassment to monopolistic threats, all of which require staunch mitigation strategies to construct an ethical, diverse, and equitable virtual world.
M
Moderator
Speech speed
122 words per minute
Speech length
1052 words
Speech time
516 secs
Arguments
Virtual identities can support and/or subvert hegemonic gender norms
Supporting facts:
- Cultural background influences the selection of virtual identity
- Virtual realm allows individuals to experiment with alternate gender identities.
- Some tagrget audience use avatars to express aspects of themselves they can't express in the physical world.
Topics: Metaverse, Virtual Identity, Gender norms
There is a high prevalence of harassment in the metaverse.
Supporting facts:
- Large scale study of harassment in the metaverse was conducted
- Harassment is especially experienced significantly by women and minorities
- Playing a feminine avatar even invites more harassment.
Topics: Metaverse, Harassment, Metaverse Safety
Economic stagnation and cultural expectations are driving some men to perform their gender identities differently in the metaverse.
Supporting facts:
- There is a noted discontent with expectations of being male in Japan, causing some to turn to feminine virtual avatars.
- The 'breadwinner model' of manhood is viewed as a 'heavy responsibility'
- Economic stagnation since the '90s has resulted in men having difficulties in maintaining self-sufficiency, self-esteem, and approval from others.
Topics: Metaverse, Gender Identity, Social-Cultural Norms
Users of the metaverse want better protections from harassment, but not necessarily through legislation.
Supporting facts:
- Metaverse users feel that stronger moderation, improved reporting systems, and adjustable safety measures would help combat harassment.
- There is resistance to restrictive legislation over the metaverse.
- Users want to avoid restrictions that could hinder their freedom or enjoyment of the VR experience.
Topics: Metaverse, Harassment, Metaverse Safety
Adapting to shifting between life in the Metaverse and physical reality is possible.
Supporting facts:
- The speaker admits to initial confusion with adapting to Metaverse life but states they became used to it after a few years.
- Switching between Metaverse life and physical reality is compared to shifting moods when transitioning from a formal state (at work) to a relaxed one (at home).
- The speaker now switches rapidly between realities by donning VR goggles.
Topics: Metaverse, Virtual Reality
Report
The dialogue reveals multiple facets of the emerging Metaverse; a virtual realm which creates opportunities for personal expression, introduces unique challenges, and might potentially offer cognitive health benefits. An intriguing insight is that individuals' virtual identities within the Metaverse are frequently influenced by their cultural backgrounds.
Crucially, this online platform provides a space for people to explore alternate gender identities, enabling them to challenge or uphold dominant gender norms. The Metaverse is thus a vehicle for users to express elements of their identities they might find hard to communicate in the physical world.
However, no digital universe is devoid of real-world problems. The discussion highlights a deeply troubling issue: harassment within the Metaverse. Alarmingly, women and minorities are particularly targeted for such experiences. More concerning is the notion that merely possessing a feminine avatar can invite more harassment, hinting at a concerning digital perpetuation of gender-based discrimination.
Complementing these insights, data from Japan demonstrates how economic stagnation and cultural expectations are spurring some men to assume feminine virtual avatars, as a means of escaping societal pressure. The Metaverse thus emerges as an instrument for challenging and navigating around pre-established socio-cultural norms.
Nonetheless, while grappling with the challenges the Metaverse presents, users are not necessarily advocating restrictive legislation. Most prefer superior moderating processes, improved reporting systems, and adaptable safety measures as opposed to stringent regulation that could potentially squash their virtual freedom and enjoyment.
Notwithstanding the challenges and inequalities, a positive aspect of this virtual experience comes to light. Adjusting between the Metaverse and physical reality is feasible. The transitional process is likened to mood shifts experienced when moving between formal and relaxed states.
Extending this concept, it is proposed that the cognitive effort needed to adapt to the Metaverse could serve a health-promoting role. The brain stimulation incurred from shifting realities might act as a form of anti-ageing training, supporting longevity and cognitive health.
In conclusion, this discourse presents a nuanced perspective of the Metaverse. It emphasises its potential as a platform for alternative identity performance and the troubling prevalence of harassment within it. There's an urgent need for enhanced safety measures, albeit with a resistance to restrictive legislation.
The evolving nature of the Metaverse continues to inspire questions and curiosity, particularly regarding the cognitive health benefits of engaging within this emerging virtual world.
VG
Virtual Girl Nem
Speech speed
111 words per minute
Speech length
3097 words
Speech time
1681 secs
Arguments
Metaverse is a fundamentally designed new universe allowing humans to live in a more humane way
Supporting facts:
- Metaverse offers a customizable identity (name, avatar, voice)
- Metaverse is a vast virtual world where VR users can hold events, connect with friends, participate in games, and express creativity
- There is an increase in daily Metaverse usage, with about 50% of users spending more than three hours per session
Topics: Internet, VR technology, Virtual Reality, Digital World, Metaverse
Metaverse has a significant impact on human communication, altering the dynamics of social interactions
Supporting facts:
- Metaverse encourages an essential form of communication, eliminating filters like age, gender, and titles
- In Metaverse, relationships are based on personalities, not visuals
- Skinship and close personal interactions are more common in Metaverse
Topics: Social Interactions, Communication, Digital Sociability, VR Networking
Paradigm shift in personal expression and identity with the advent of the Metaverse
Supporting facts:
- Most users of the Metaverse prefer avatars with feminine traits
- The choice of avatar in the Metaverse varies, depending on individual's tastes, from human to semi-humanoid, to robots, animals, etc.
- The Metaverse increases the opportunities for self-exploration and expression regardless of real-world aspects
Topics: Identity, Personal Expression, Digital Culture
The gap between real gender and avatar gender is decreasing due to the increasing supply of masculine avatars.
Supporting facts:
- Masculine avatars are becoming more available
- The decreased gender gap in the virtual world corresponds with the increased availability of masculine avatars.
Topics: Virtual Reality, Gender Representation
Usage of feminine avatars for better communication
Supporting facts:
- Some users opt for feminine avatars for more effective communication
- The effectiveness of communication is not dependent on the supply of avatars.
Topics: Communication, Gender Roles
Virtual Girl Nem is accustomed to living in the Metaverse, and rapidly switching between the physical and virtual world.
Supporting facts:
- Virtual Girl Nem has been living in the Metaverse for three to five years
- She can easily switch between the virtual and physical world by wearing VR goggles
Topics: Metaverse, Virtual Reality
Making good communication with users is key for a successful metaverse
Supporting facts:
- Working services always have good communication
- Big tech is currently struggling in the metaverse due to lack of good communication with customers
Topics: metaverse, communication, user interaction
Report
The Metaverse represents a transformative innovation within the realm of Virtual Reality, fostering environments conducive to the development of sustainable infrastructure and communities (SDG 9 and 11). It heralds a new norm of living; a universe consciously designed to enhance human existence.
Statistics reveal a surge in daily user engagement, with a notable proportion of users spending more than three hours per session, indicative of widespread global adoption of this digital sphere. Furthermore, the Metaverse significantly influences human communication mechanics, fostering unconventional social interactions that indirectly contribute to quality education and overall well-being (SDG 4 and 3).
By eliminating traditional filters such as age, gender, and titles, the Metaverse cultivates relationships based on personalities over visuals, promoting a healthier form of digital sociability. In the Metaverse, adopting a virtual identity effects a paradigm shift in personal representation, aiding in reducing socio-cultural inequalities and bolstering gender equity (SDG 10 and 5).
Data suggests a trend, showing most users prefer avatars with feminine characteristics, hinting at an increased demand for feminine representation in digital culture. Alongside this preference for feminine avatars, a reduction in the gender gap in virtual identities is apparent.
This is primarily due to an increase in the availability of masculine avatars, offering users wider choices in customising their virtual selves. Changing avatar gender is gaining popularity for reasons beyond the available supply, encompassing fashion and the aspiration for more effective communication.
Consider the case of 'Virtual Girl Nem', who has spent between three to five years in the Metaverse. Her ability to switch seamlessly between the virtual and physical world by wearing VR goggles, exemplifies human adaptability to this new digital era.
Nem’s experience showcases the evolution of human adaptability, as we navigate varied environments both professionally and personally. Within the Metaverse, it has been identified that for success, effective user communication is vital—a challenge currently faced by numerous tech giants.
The service sector should focus on establishing sound communication with users to garner positive results in the Metaverse. The Metaverse's future invites considerable optimism, primarily due to its potential to offer myriad business opportunities and redefine human communication. Prioritising effective user service interactions is fundamental for the Metaverse to flourish successfully.
In summation, the Metaverse contributes to various Sustainable Development Goals by fostering innovation, promoting equality, and revolutionising communication dynamics. With a growing user base and evolving identities, the potential for the Metaverse is vast. However, to truly achieve its potential, an efficient communication approach, crucial to engaging users, is key to driving its progressive development.