John Carmack's keynote at Facebook Connect 2021, where he speaks candidly about VR, Quest, and Meta's metaverse plans. He pushes back on hype and discusses retention and latency.
Why Hacker News points people here: Commenters praise it as clear, honest thinking from Carmack and recommend it to technical people interested in VR and the metaverse.
“As always, John is a master of communication and clear thought.”HN comment, 2021
“The highlight of connect for me was the Carmack keynote. I suggest all techies watch it”
Highlight of Connect; Carmack keynote worth watching for techies.
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The Index is great, but it will lose in the end because of 3 reasons: 1) much cheaper price 2) portability 3) seamless onboarding experience I love my index but there is no way that it can currently beat oculus because of these things. Also, Oculus is well aware of these features. At least Carmack is. The highlight of connect for me was the Carmack keynote. I suggest all techies watch it: this video
Strongly recommendshotwireOct 2021
“As always, John is a master of communication and clear thought.”
Carmack's actual keynote, clearly communicated.
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Here's his actual keynote speech: this video As always, John is a master of communication and clear thought.
RecommendsbchOct 2021
“it’s very refreshing to hear him push back, in ways that just make sense”
Carmack pushes back on corporate metaverse narratives with sensible points.
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> and the VR/meta chapter won't help Tangential to this thread, I listened to Carmacks keynote[0] for the Facebook Connect event, and it’s very refreshing to hear him push back, in ways that just make sense , instead of towing some corporate line that’s part fantasy and snake oil. See his comments on “social metaverse” and “3D vs flat screens”. [0] this video
RecommendsFrostKiwiOct 2022
“I recommend watching last year's speech by Carmack.”
Carmack's candid view on Meta's metaverse push and Quest latency.
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I recommend watching last year's speech by Carmack. It gives a little perspective as to why this was targeted to be a virtual session. He is not a fan of how Meta pushes the Metaverse, "Money is flowing and enormous wheels in the company apparatus are turning" and he wants to salvage that financial energy to push technology in some meaningful way. (Pushing down audio latency on the Quest 2 was such a talking point). This shows what Meta's tech is capable of, mask off, no per-rendered CG advert and I think that's a good thing. Besides that, afaik he is largely detached from that project now and only does once a week consulting, with the main focus being his pursuit of AGI. Doesn't change of course how embarrassingly bad Meta's money invested vs results achieved are. edit: Fount the spot I referenced. this video at 15:10 onward
Cites itshafyyOct 2021
“I just love how Carmack delivered the line”
Carmack's keynote with a memorable line about the metaverse.
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I know, right! I just love how Carmack delivered the line: "... But Mark Zuckerberg decided it's time to build the metaverse..." Edit: Here's Carmack's keynote: this video
Cites itallturtlesNov 2021
“Carmack said basically the same thing in his Connect 2021 keynote”
Carmack comments on lapsed VR users versus mobile users.
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Carmack said basically the same thing in his Connect 2021 keynote: this video "There are no lapsed mobile users, essentially... but there are, right now, a whole lot of people that are lapsed VR users...."
Cites itf0e4c2f7Feb 2022
“Interesting video too.”
Shows Carmack's involvement with Meta VR.
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Looking some more I found this video. Sounds like he is quite heavily involved after all. Interesting video too. this video
Cites itFrostKiwiOct 2022
“A closed platform doesn't deserve to be called a metaverse, or does it?”
Carmack questions whether a closed platform deserves to be called a metaverse.
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hwers's comment lacks some context, but there is some truth to it. Consider Carmack's comment: this video @33:50 onward "A closed platform doesn't deserve to be called a metaverse, or does it?" Making money in the Metaverse is a pillar of what makes a virtual world an actual world. (Ignoring of who does the money making for now) Scarcity is an integral part of it. Skins, models, rare items. In the virtual world it all scarcity is artificial by definition. Just like with second life and the linden dollar making it to real exchanges. Second life sold worlds as some kind of virtual realtor in the past, VRChat's users sell custom created skins and rigged models today and Meta wants to be the platform facilitating that tomorrow, but on a grand scale. I also highly applaud Meta's contribution to FOSS btw.
