Reflections on Metaverse Communication
"So, what do you do on your days off?"
When my boss asked me that, I was at a loss for words. There are two reasons for this.
This happened during a "1-on-1 meeting" recently introduced at the company. I hate these. They pry into things that have nothing to do with work without a second thought. And what makes it worse is that they actually think this is necessary for building a "relationship of trust."
I was dumbfounded by a boss who would intrude on someone's private life while spouting off about "psychological safety." That was one of the reasons I lost my words.
If we were able to have communication that made us both feel comfortable in the first place, our relationship would naturally improve, and we wouldn't need a system like this.
*
The other big reason was that I didn't know how to explain it.
"I play on VRChat." My bubble-generation boss probably wouldn't know what that is. "I've started the Metaverse." No, it's not like I'm making cold noodles. Besides, if I say "Metaverse," the odds are they'll just think it's some kind of investment.
Thinking about that, the answer I managed to squeeze out was—
"On my days off... I guess I'm on my computer."
So much for my expressive ability. Couldn't I have put that a little better?
"Oh... is that, like, games? I used to like Dragon Quest and stuff too."
My boss was trying to keep the conversation going, even though he didn't really understand. It made my heart ache a little.
"It is like a game, I suppose. But it's more like chatting. It's like connecting with various people online and enjoying the communication."
After explaining it that way, I suddenly thought: Wait a minute. Don't I spend most of my time in the Metaverse all by myself?
In the first place, is communication even fun? Meetings with my boss are painful. But the time I spend with people I get along with is comfortable. Even though both are supposed to be communication. I was thinking about things like that while blankly watching my boss talk passionately about Dragon Quest.
*
"Communication is the ultimate entertainment." There is such a way of thinking in the world.
Entertainment is the opposite of obligations like work or study; it's something that comforts the heart when you engage in it. Music, books, movies, television, and of course, games. Anything that entertains people can be entertainment.
At the same time, expressing your own thoughts or opinions about that content, or empathizing or arguing with others—conveying your intentions, thoughts, and feelings in that way—means that communication is often paired with entertainment.
For example, when you watch an anime. Sometimes you just end it with "That was a good show," but there are also times when you talk to someone about it or post about it on social media. You see a lot of negative opinions, but there are quite a few people who enjoy it even including that. If it moves your heart and stimulates you, anything can be called entertainment.
Recognizing the inherent fun of the content itself while finding the essence of enjoyment in the accompanying communication—perhaps that is what the phrase "Communication is the ultimate entertainment" means.
*
So, what about metaverse communication? Being able to become who you want to be through an avatar. Being able to share time, space, experiences, and even emotions. It is certainly true that by connecting with someone, you can satisfy desires that cannot be fulfilled in reality.
But the metaverse is reality too; the only difference is surely the physical location and the amount of information. That said, it's difficult for me to become cute in reality.
In any case, there are those who enjoy communication, and those for whom communication becomes painful. As long as human nature doesn't change, that remains the same, whether in the metaverse or not.
Precisely because it is the metaverse, you can express your emotions freely without worrying about your age, job title, or appearance in reality. But on the flip side, that also means you can do whatever you want without constraints. Because of that aspect, there is no end to relationship troubles.
Come to think of it, rather than the work or study itself being painful, it is often the case that having a difficult client or boss, or being nagged by parents or teachers, is what causes the pain. All problems are problems of "interpersonal relationships." Some even say communication is the cause. And ironically, joy and happiness are things gained through connections with others. That is likely why communication is so difficult.
Just because it's the metaverse doesn't mean you become a different person. You might be able to roleplay, but there is no way to hide the essential parts of who you are. I even think that focusing on your own essence is more important.
Even so, if you can utilize the metaverse as "one of the means of communication" that you find comfortable, that might be enough for now. Because I feel that it has that much potential.
*
If your boss said this with a cute avatar:
"--What do you do on your days off, nya?"
...I might just tell them everything.
Photo World: Japan Talk Room [ JTR JP ]
Yagate Suterareru Hojorin-san