Being at Home in the Metaverse? Prospectus for a Social Imaginary

The metaverse represents more than just technology—it's a "social imaginary" that shapes how we understand and organize our shared world. The paper argues that visions of the metaverse (particularly Mark Zuckerberg's) aren't neutral technical descriptions but rather influential narratives that guide development and shape societal expectations about our future existence.

Current metaverse visions pose threats to human "dwelling"—our ability to feel at home and secure in our environment. Using philosopher Martin Heidegger's concept of dwelling, the paper identifies specific ways the metaverse as currently envisioned could undermine our sense of belonging, comfort, and authentic connection to spaces and communities.

Corporate-led metaverse development may prioritize commercial interests over human wellbeing. By focusing on Mark Zuckerberg's public statements, the paper examines how one influential corporate vision of the metaverse could shape technology in ways that don't necessarily serve users' deeper needs for meaningful inhabitation and community.

Responsible metaverse development requires intentional design choices to support human flourishing. Rather than accepting the metaverse as inevitable, the paper concludes with recommendations for how the technology could be designed differently to better facilitate genuine human dwelling and connection rather than extraction or alienation.

We should critically examine the narratives driving metaverse development before the technology becomes entrenched. The paper suggests that now is the time to question whose vision of the metaverse is being promoted and to ensure alternative values—beyond corporate growth—shape how these emerging digital spaces are built.