Whenever asked to explain Web3 or blockchain or NFT, I usually prepare to combat a cloud of muddy concepts. My explanations have ranged from overtly complex to so simple that they suspect I’m an idiot. So, recently, I’ve been using Tobey, Andrew, and Tom to explain things…

On a recent outing to The Girl and the Goat (restaurant in LA [originally Chicago] and if you haven’t eaten there you must), I was asked to explain “The Metaverse”. Friends wanted to understand it better so they could explain it to their elementary school aged children.. And, I think I did the best job this time so figured I’d have to share how it went:

(After gulping down my second ginger beer for the sugar rush needed to activate brain)

“First of all, it’s not The Metaverse - it’s metaverse(s). There are many. Have you watched Spiderman No Way Home?”

All but one said “Yes - loved it” or “Yes - it made no sense”. For the guy that said “No”, I answered with - “For you, The Metaverse is Mark Zuckerberg’s beachfront property in Kauai”. For those lucky moviegoers (who weren’t bothered that Dr Strange did not cast a spell for Thanos to forget the stones previously…), I made the parallel (between the movie concept and Web3 metaverse).

It went like this:

“Each spiderman comes from its own metaverse (or world) which is a separate plane of time from another spiderman’s metaverse. Think of metaverse as the world that each Spidey is born in by default. Tobey and Kirsten’s metaverse. Andrew and Emma’s metaverse. (Ok, maybe not Emma since her name was Gwen not.. nevermind.) Tom and Zendaya’s metaverse. Got it?”

(Nods)

“There’s a base layer that Dr Strange can access called the Multiverse (for which there is just one). So, the Multiverse is the multi-dimensional, time-denominated plane that connects the metaverses. Got it?”

(Nods)

“So, Sandbox - the one where Snoop was assigned a huge plot of land and there are bustling casinos - is a metaverse - where people (and potentially Spiderman) can exist and play/live together. And there are other metaverses where people can be. The Multiverse is multi-dimensional, code-denominated plane that connects the metaverses - it’s called Ethereum. Got it?”

(Nods)

“And there’s this dude named Vitalik - super geek guy who is the kindest motherfucker in the world…. “

(Nods)

“He’s God.”

(Minds blown)

“Since I am the one that can explain this all to you through something as relatable as a movie, that makes me…. (wait for 3 seconds…..) well, a Prophet.”