What is the metaverse and can it replace the real world?

What is the metaverse and can it replace the real world?

The idea of a virtual world existing in parallel to the real one was once the stuff of science fiction. But today, millions of people are already spending hours a day in virtual spaces and spending billions of dollars on things that simply don’t exist in a physical environment.

When Facebook changed its name to Meta last year and rebranded itself as a “metaverse company”, what was once a controversial idea among tech enthusiasts came crashing into the mainstream. Now, the company and others like it are betting big that we will all be spending more and more time in the metaverse - doing everything from socialising and playing games with friends, to exercising and working remotely. On this week's Beyond The Headlines, host Arthur Scott-Geddes asks: what is the metaverse and is it really about to replace the real world?

Episoder(488)

Lebanon's first elections in nearly a decade will have regional ramifications

Lebanon's first elections in nearly a decade will have regional ramifications

For the first time since 2009, Lebanon voted to elect 128 members to parliament. Saad Hariri, the current Prime Minister of Lebanon and his Sunni-dominated party fared better than expected. But he los...

8 Mai 201818min

Israel puts Iran's nuclear ambitions into question ahead of Trump's decision

Israel puts Iran's nuclear ambitions into question ahead of Trump's decision

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday claimed Iran was developing a "secret" nuclear weapons programme in breach of the 2015 deal agreed with world powers. Iran responded by saying an a...

2 Mai 201817min

Inside Syria's propaganda machine

Inside Syria's propaganda machine

Syrian President Bashar Al Assad has always held a tight grip on media in his country. After seven years of a vicious war, the strongman maintains strict control over all news coming out of his side o...

25 Apr 201813min

Assad crosses Washington's red line again

Assad crosses Washington's red line again

The US launched airstrikes on Syria this week, sparking a wide range of reactions from the international community. The US-led airstrikes targeted a factory believed to be the source of a Syrian-regim...

17 Apr 201814min

In Syria, no civilian or child is safe from the trappings of war

In Syria, no civilian or child is safe from the trappings of war

Extremist groups in Syria are planting landmines and booby traps all over the country with the intention of killing civilians. Even children aren't safe from bombs that are often disguised as toys. I...

11 Apr 201814min

Saddam Hussein's fall, 15 years on

Saddam Hussein's fall, 15 years on

In 2002, a 12-metre statue of Saddam Hussein was erected in Baghdad's Firdos Square, right in the middle of one of the Iraqi capital’s many roundabouts. It depicted the Iraqi dictator standing heels t...

4 Apr 201821min

Houthis strike Saudi Arabia while Yemen continues to suffer

Houthis strike Saudi Arabia while Yemen continues to suffer

This week, Saudi Arabia witnessed the most aggressive attack on its own soil since their intervention in the Yemen civil war three years ago. The Houthis launched seven missiles at Riyadh. Saudi’s mi...

28 Mar 201816min

The US welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

The US welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in the United States on an official visit this week. The already strong relationship between the two countries is being reinforced during meetings with P...

21 Mar 201825min

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