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Zzz's avatar

Amazing piece!

I think it's worth adding that Andreesen himself profits immensely if we decide to retreat to his "simpler, easier" virtual worlds.

There is not just a "gap" in reality-richness between the elite and "the masses," but also... the elite profit directly when others retreat from reality and participate in the social media, games, tv, etc etc that they own (whether directly or by holding stock).

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Drew Austin's avatar

Thanks! And yes, of course - I should have pointed that out, although it's certainly implied in my assessment. That misalignment of incentives is so central to all of this. Facebook's recent "metaverse" announcements feel very similar, as FB has almost certainly profited from making the world worse and now wants to offer its users a simulated proprietary version of reality that is supposedly better.

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Ligia Luckhurst's avatar

Brilliant. Shared on my FB page. Can't afford -- yes, literally -- to subscribe, which I would do just to support you, Drew, as I wouldn't have the time to read and react every day. Some of my better off friends might decide to, hopefully. <3

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Drew Austin's avatar

Thank you! Glad you liked the piece.

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