Current Events Monday: What is Meta?
Pardon me, but this article may sound like I’m being an old fuddy-duddy who shouts, “Get off my lawn” at those young whipper-snappers. Suffice it to say, this article is an attempt to do some critical theological examination of a pertinent, momentous technological development rather than being a harangue on something I don’t understand. I invite you to stick around and see what you think.
A few weeks ago, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook is reorganizing under the name “Meta,” a term that seems to be a shortened form of “metaverse.” The metaverse—at least the one envisioned by Zuckerberg—is that which combines virtual reality with everyday reality. In other words, the metaverse would be another sphere in which humans can create an entirely altered form of lived reality, complete with virtual interactions, business, and even monetization. In you have an extra 90 minutes on your hands, then you can watch Zuckerberg describe the metaverse in detail by clicking this link: The Metaverse and How We’ll Build It Together — Connect 2021 – YouTube.
When doing some research about Meta and its basic concepts, I had to laugh to keep myself from crying. In the video, Zuckerberg refers to the metaverse as “an embodied internet, where you’re in the experience, not just looking at it.” Upon hearing this remark, I thought, “This is really nothing new.” In fact, my mind went to Genesis 11:1-9—a record of when humankind first attempted to overcome our inability to unify ourselves. The Tower of Babel narrative vividly describes what happens when we try to play God. Such an attempt only ends in confusion. Needless to say, Christians should be careful with this latest tower-building attempt of Zuckerberg, even though it will occur in an augmented reality.
But why be so stilted and jaded against Meta? Aren’t there fantastic opportunities for us to build virtual churches and create spiritual conversations in the pending metaverse? Perhaps. But rather than focus on the supposedly pristine ideological future, let’s focus on the dirty here-and-now for a few moments and put the concept of “meta” under the biblical and theological microscope for a closer look. Allow me to make three observations about the creation of Meta.
First, the attempt at building the metaverse indicates a desperate need in human beings to be unified with one another at a more significant, spiritual level. Why is it, however, that we haven’t made much significant progress at unification since the Fall in the Garden of Eden? It could be that we are still trying to unify ourselves by pretending to be our own gods, or at least by putting ourselves at the center of life (Psalm 8:4-5). Christians, rather, insist that Christ is the only unifier of life, which consequently begins with recognizing (by God’s grace) that we are finite beings. No matter how much of a metaverse we create, it will ultimately fail unless it is saturated from the beginning with a humility and love for neighbors that is only found in reconciled relationship with God through Christ Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Second, the metaverse will quickly become an idol if/when adopted by our society. Consider, for instance, the language and concepts being used in the creation of Meta. The kingdom of the internet, as an embodied experience, is an attempt at building the Kingdom of God. The Messiah is technology that allows us to live our best lives without Christ. And Meta (or Facebook) can play the role of omnipotent and omniscient Creator that has provided a virtual utopia for both the pleasures of humankind and for its own glorification. The Holy Spirit therefore would be substituted by the will of Meta as it speaks forth what is and is not ethical, relevant, and righteous. Are Christians willing to bow down to such an idol?
Third, the metaverse should be replaced with “metanoia.” That Zuckerberg and his staff settled upon the name “Meta” to encapsulate their ambitions is telling. Meta is an ancient Greek word that has a variety of meanings, but it was most commonly used back in the day in two ways. One way meant something like “beyond,” or “overarching.” This is the way Zuckerberg uses the word. A metaverse, in his thinking, is something that is beyond the scope of finite human interactions and current technological achievements. The current predisposition of Zuckerberg and contemporary American Millennials in general towards postmodernism is really coming through at this point. In fact, French philosophers took the concept of “meta” to indicate that all truth is subjective or relative, and therefore, God could be excluded from any conversation about truth. They would say that truth is what you make it.
A second meaning of “meta” refers to change or a shift in direction. In fact, Jesus used the word “meta” in this sense. In Mark 1:15, Jesus is recorded as saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel!” The English word “repent” comes from the Greek “metanoia,” meaning, “to change one’s mind, disposition, and willful action.”
Jesus’ use of meta is magnificently different from Zuckberg’s. Our Lord was concerned about our repenting of sin and reconciling with God through Him. Zuckerberg seems to think that humans are capable of going beyond the limits that God has set for us in order to create our own truth in some sort of other-worldly lived reality.
I’ll stick with Jesus on this one. I hope you will, too. What Meta is attempting to do by freeing humanity with technology will actually enslave them. In fact, Facebook has already proven its propensity to liquidate or sacrifice users for the good of its political platform, or groupthink. This kind of behavior is likely due to their attempt at creating people in their own image instead of honoring the sacredness of human life. Ultimately, however, Meta has no real answers to our ultimate questions.
We can only conclude humbly here that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. The way of meta should not lead us to another Tower of Babel but to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.