In this episode of Stuck@Om, Herman Narula joins me in a conversation about our future. Herman is the CEO of Improbable, a company that is obsessed with multiplayer games and builds the underlying technology to support new gaming experiences. He strives to create a “virtual environment that is as representative and complex as the real world.” He envisions a virtual world that improves upon — not replicates — the real world.
With the uncertainty of the future of travel, the ability to experience the world without leaving our homes would be astounding. What about the future of social gatherings? Will we shift to more virtual events in the vein of Travis Scott’s concert in Fortnite? The types of experiences and interactive communication we can have in such environments is endless. Herman posits that we may see a gradual freeing of identity and an emphasis on the ability to influence the world without your physical body. What if our mode of influence shifted to virtual reality?
Herman fully believes that video games will be — in a way that surprises some corners of society — the thing that defines this decade. It’s already the interface through which many young people socialize. Perhaps we will see people begin to make money in these virtual worlds. All that said, Herman is also excited for the end of the lockdown, and he’s hopeful that we may see another Roaring Twenties — with revitalization in art and culture, and an explosion of new ideas.
Listen now to hear an eye-opening discussion with my newfound friend.
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Outline of This Episode
- Creating simulation technology for gaming and defense
- How will the behavior change us as people?
- Does the pandemic modify centuries of human gatherings?
- How can we improve upon the real world
- We talk about the emotional attachments we have to sport
- Is making money in a virtual world the next big transition?
- The resource and energy efficiency of virtual environments
- Air travel will have a very different future after this
- Will a shift towards working from home cause an even bigger divide?
- Video games will be the thing that defines this decade in a way that surprises society
- The gaming environment is the interface in which many younger people socialize
- Will we see revitalization of art and culture — a repeat of the Roaring Twenties?
Resources & People Mentioned
Connect with Herman Narula
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