Why We Need an Alternative to the Metaverse

Every few weeks I keep hearing about this "Metaverse." But what even *is* this metaverse?! Why do we even need this? And why is Facebook putting everything it has into this endevour?

Warning! Opinions below

Every few weeks I keep hearing about this "Metaverse" be it from over zealious journalists trying to get in on a buzz word or a new startup that wants to bring x, y, or z into the metaverse.

But what even *is* this metaverse?! Why do we even need this? And why is Facebook putting everything it has into this endevour?

My guess is that Facebook *eh-hem* Meta, is trying to stay relevant. Meta clearly knows that Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp will eventually die as MySpace did before it. So Meta clearly knows that either TikTok will kill it or it will fade into obscurity as their userbase becomes older.
Meta ***has*** to change. this is inevitable as every time there is a new industry shift the industry leaders either need to canabalize themselves to continue being the leaders or someone new will take over.
Meta can spend their money however they want. But my issue is that there is no comercial level competing idea.

Examples:

Microsoft is bringing teams and avatars to the metaverse
Microsoft is also developing its own metaverse
Apple is developing its own ar/vr headset
Roblox is advertizing itself as a metaverse
Epic Games is making its Fortnite as a metaverse
Web3 technology is going to be used in allowing cross-verse purchases and ownership

So currently we have competing metaverses in either production or development but no other idea. **Just the metaverse.**

So here is my pitch: someone find out what the best competing idea is against the metaverse. **Build that** because not everyone will want or be able to participate in the metaverse.

We had/have the same issue with the change to the cloud and SaaS. As software started going to the cloud more and more people are now looking a way from those subscriptionsso they can actually own the software. Don't like Adobe? use something like Capture One or Affinity Photo. These are truly competitive ideas instead of heading down to zero.
My basic uneducated guess on what the competitor will be to the metaverse is: ***reality***. (Ok I know it may be cringy)
Tools that will bring you back into reality and keep you in the present.
My guess is that enviornmentalists, minimalists, and digital minimalists like cal newport would want solutions like this.

The future isnt the metaverse, it is us, humans.