An Interview with Philip Rosedale on the Metaverse, Mixed Reality, and AI

Sure, let’s dive into this!

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So… just the other day, like two days back or something, I found myself sitting across from Philip Rosedale. Yep, that Philip. The guy’s back at it as CTO of Linden Lab, you know, the brains behind Second Life. And, uh, pretty wild moment for me to march into the hub of what many consider the first real metaverse platform. First time, nerves and all.

Gotta say, it was cool. Nah, actually, a blast. Philip’s got this knack for drawing you in. Super friendly, bursting with these intriguing ideas that make you go, “Whoa, hadn’t thought of that!” Bright minds have that aura, don’t they? Philip’s definitely one of those.

Anyway — well, hold on, before I lose track — the chat was going so well that I figured, why not snag a quick interview, right? Completely on a whim, mind you. No script, no grand preparation. Just tossed out some questions on mixed reality, AI, and yes, the big old “metaverse” tale. It’s a loaded word now, but hey, we braved it.

He had some solid takes, though. Like, the tech isn’t quite there yet for the metaverse to woo the mainstream. Nope, not yet. But he’s all about targeting the wild innovators. Makes sense when you see VRChat doing its thing while Horizon Worlds… well, yeah. Oh! And he mentioned something about headsets not doing it justice. Can’t argue with him there.

So, if you’re curious, there’s a video of us chatting it up. I was buzzing with excitement, seriously. Maybe down the line, a full sit-down is in the cards with Philip. We’ll see!

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Tony: Hey folks, I’m here with the myth, the man — Philip Rosedale himself.

Philip: Hi there. Glad to join.

Tony: Here I am at Second Life’s stomping ground. First-timer vibes, you know? Wanted to squeeze in a few questions. Like, is “metaverse” even a thing people talk about now? Is social VR a fading trend or what? Your take?

Philip: It’s definitely not done and dusted. Millions are still diving into virtual realms daily in spots like Second Life, VRChat. Sure, it’s not mainstream yet. But, I mean, it’s good stuff for some folks, just not everyone… for now. Those VR headsets? They’ve got flaws. It’s like, they’re not comfy, don’t feel natural.

Tony: Exactly! Like, more res, better comfort, etc. Seems outta our grasp, right? But creators like me, us normal folks, can we push the envelope? Ideas?

Philip: Oh, creativity’s your ticket here. Look at the places that stand out. They’re quirky, let ideas run wild. Second Life thrived on being that experimental playground. Creativity keeps it alive. Functional stuff like business or school — nah, not as seamless.

Keep investing in the offbeat, and things’ll get spicy. The world’s a pretty tense canvas right now, people craving solace. Virtual realms? They offer a unique refuge.

Tony: Couldn’t have phrased it better. Now, mixed reality… what’s your perspective?

Philip: Big problem there — can’t block your view entirely. Mixed reality needs to feel natural. We’re inching there, with some headsets edging closer. Need a social contract too — like, what are we cool with sharing? Privacy’s a sticky wicket. Right now, no solid framework, and that’s a concern.

Tony: Before we wrap, curious about this AI friend trend?

Philip: Dangerous game. Connect people, not replace them with AI surrogates. AI’s might help us bond better, yeah. But AI pals, bf/gf replacements? Slippery slope. Society’s gotta figure out the balance.

Tony: Final thought? A nudge to spark innovation?

Philip: Man, avatars! Beef them up with AI for better expressions. Make ‘em real, relatable. Nail that, and we’re on the path to richer virtual escapades. Just a matter of time.

Tony: Riveted! Big thanks, Philip. And thanks to you all for tuning in. Catch ya later.

Philip: Take care. Great chat.