Everything You Need to Know About Avatars with Robby Ratan: Step into the Metaverse podcast: EP20
In this episode of the Step into the Metaverse Podcast, I chatted with Rabindra (Robby) Ratan, an Associate Professor and AT&T Scholar at Michigan State University’s Department of Media and Information. Ratan received his Ph.D. from USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, his M.A. in Communication from Stanford University, and his B.A. in Science, Technology and Society, also from Stanford University.
Dr. Ratan’s research focuses primarily on the psychological experience and effects of media use, with an emphasis on avatars, video games, virtual worlds, and other interactive environments (e.g., the road, online education) that include mediated self-representations (e.g., avatars, automobiles, selfie videos).
He is particularly interested in how different facets of mediated self-representations (e.g., self-concept) influence the psychological experience of media use and how different parts of this psychological experience (e.g., embodiment, identification) affect a variety of outcomes, including education behaviours (e.g., classroom performance), health-related behaviours (e.g., food choice), and prejudicial/prosocial attitudes (e.g., gender/race bias).
His work also emphasizes the social implications of media use concerning gender and race-related disparities in meaningful contexts (e.g., STEM fields). In our in-depth conversation, we talked about the role of avatars, including what the requirements and characteristics of avatars will be. We discussed the risk of ending up in the Uncanny Valley, the risk of imposed avatars, and so much more. Tune in and enjoy!
Highlights
- [01:35] - How his interest in the metaverse came about.
- [04:37] - The main characteristics and requirements of an avatar in the metaverse.
- [07:08] - Why avatars cannot thrive without NFTs.
- [09:46] - Current platforms that are focused on making avatar creation easier.
- [12:11] - Types of avatars and the one that will become the industry standard.
- [16:45] - Dealing with the potential conundrum of imposter avatars.
- [21:25] - Analyzing the present and future of the direct-to-avatar business model and how it will change the retail and fashion industry.
- [26:15] - Business models of the metaverse and their implications.
Quotes
“NFTs are the bedrock of the future economy” - Robby Ratan
“The benefit of the metaverse is the immersion, the user experience, the social presence, or self-presence you experience in your avatar” - Robby Ratan
“The avatar you use will influence how you behave, and this is a potential mechanism for influence that people might not be aware of” - Robby Ratan
“Your avatar needs to track your movements, and aspects of your identity are embedded in those movements in order for it to operate properly” - Robby Ratan
Resources Mentioned:
- Experience on Demand By Jeremy Bailenson - https://www.amazon.com/Experience-Demand-Virtual-Reality-Works/dp/0393253694
Learn More About Robby Ratan in the Links Below:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbyratan/
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/raratan
- Website - http://robbyratan.com/
If you are interested in learning more about the metaverse, you can order my book Step into the Metaverse here.
Dr Mark van Rijmenam
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam is a strategic futurist known as The Digital Speaker. He stands at the forefront of the digital age and lives and breathes cutting-edge technologies to inspire Fortune 500 companies and governments worldwide. As an optimistic dystopian, he has a deep understanding of AI, blockchain, the metaverse, and other emerging technologies, blending academic rigor with technological innovation.
His pioneering efforts include the world’s first TEDx Talk in VR in 2020. In 2023, he further pushed boundaries when he delivered a TEDx talk in Athens with his digital twin, delving into the complex interplay of AI and our perception of reality. In 2024, he launched a digital twin of himself, offering interactive, on-demand conversations via text, audio, or video in 29 languages, thereby bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds – another world’s first.
Dr. Van Rijmenam is a prolific author and has written more than 1,200 articles and five books in his career. As a corporate educator, he is celebrated for his candid, independent, and balanced insights. He is also the founder of Futurwise, which focuses on elevating global knowledge on crucial topics like technology, healthcare, and climate change by providing high-quality, hyper-personalized, and easily digestible insights from trusted sources.
