Metaverse emerged when reality got too overwhelming. For months now, it has been seen as more of a coping mechanism than a technological innovation. The accusation, as hurtful as it might be, stands on a strong ground. You always have this copy of the real world to escape to – a copy without real-world problems, where you can vacation for as long as you please in your virtual home, built on virtual land you spent millions on. Will, the first homeless person in metaverse, is proof that turning a blind eye to problems isn’t a solution.
The 300,000 homeless people in France still exist, whether metaverse allows them the liberty of being seen or not.
Entourage is a ‘human warmth network’ of 150,000 people set to eliminate social exclusion faced by the homeless in France. Will is the part of an exemplary campaign by the same association. The idea behind the campaign is simple: social isolation is never a good idea, whether real or virtual.
The advertising agency behind the activation, TBWA\Paris says “While huge investments in the virtual world are accelerating… and while virtual worlds are being built, social isolation has never been so strong,”
The character of Will, the first homeless person in Metaverse, has been designed with scrutiny. The details are starkly apt – Will is introduced to us as existing during end-of-winter-break in France, which commences on the last day of March every year. For context, this is the day when emergency accommodation plans for the homeless are ceased in the country.
Will is the spokesperson for the invisible. He asserts that the only way to solve real-world problems is to solve them. With Will, Entourage questions the evolution of our society, of social ties, and invites us to look after the most precarious, in real life
Liked being introduced to Will? You’ll also like meeting La’eeb, FIFA WC 2022’s official spooky mascot!
0 Comments