From Michael Peel, London, UK
The idea of conducting life virtually in a metaverse is unappealing on various grounds (8 January, p 39). Above all, if there is one thing we have learned from the pandemic, it is the importance of interpersonal contact. The technology of the virtual hug is a long way away. It would be very easy for an avatar to fake empathy, but I don’t think we would feel any emotional benefit.
