Metaverse: Hype or Hyperreality

Today, video games and their peripherals are pushing the boundaries of digital immersion, whether in the form of imaginary play spaces like Roblox and Second Life, or rich sensory augmentations that affect our experience of the physical world. But what will become of the Metaverse and cyberspace? And in our era of rapid and accelerating change, how can we accurately imagine and forecast future – to include both dazzling new technologies like VR and AR and wider social trends?

In this episode we take a journey into the Metaverse. Joining us for the trip are David Chalmers, Professor of Philosophy at New York University and the author of Reality Plus; Jane McGonigal, game designer, futurist and author of Imaginable; and Shaniel Ramjee, a Senior Investment Manager in the International Multi Asset & Strategy team at Pictet. The host of the conversation is Clara Bertrand.
 

Appearing in this episode

David J. Chalmers is University Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Center for Mind, Brain, and Consciousness at New York University. He has given the John Locke lectures and has been awarded the Jean Nicod prize and the Jon Barwise prize. He has been ranked in The Philosopher's Magazine as the second-most important living philosopher and was ranked 16th on the Prospect magazine's list of the 100 most important world thinkers in 2015. He is the author of The Conscious Mind which has been translated into 10 languages.

Jane McGonigal is the Director of Games Research and Development at the Institute for the Future. Over the past fifteen years, she has developed custom future forecasts, trainings and simulations for numerous experts and clients, including Google, IBM, Cisco, Intel, Disney, GSK, the US Department of Defense, and the World Economic Forum. Her work has been featured in The Economist, Wired and The New York Times, and on MTV, CNN and NPR.

Shaniel Ramjee joined Pictet in 2014 and is a Senior Investment Manager in the International Multi Asset & Strategy team. Before joining Pictet, Shaniel worked at Baring Asset Management for seven years as an Investment Manager with responsibility for multi asset portfolios. Shaniel holds a Master’s in Finance from he University of St. Andrews. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder.

Clara Bertrand is New Media Manager at Pictet Group, Co-Producer of the 'Found in Conversation' podcast series, and Executive Director of 'Pictet Meets' filmed series. She holds a BA degree in Communication from IE Business School and a MSC degree in marketing and online media from ESCP Business School. For three years, she worked across the globe in the Netherlands, Spain, France, and England, specializing in the multimedia space and Luxury industry.