People use VR headsets so obviously the gain outweighs the discomfort for some. And the gains of a good mixed reality (MR) headset should be even more. But at this point still probably not enough for mainstream.
Meta is trying to push the Metaverse, which is a whole other business model. Apple is just trying to give people a new tool. Meta wants to create a new virtual world probably for people to spend as much time in as possible, in order to monetize it. Apple’s business model doesn’t require people being addicted to their devices. They even made Screen Time to prevent that. Neither AR nor VR headsets are bad though. I keep telling people, don’t indict hardware. Hardware is just a neutral delivery method for software—and software can be either a tool or a vice—so it’s the software that we need to be wary of. Virtual worlds, social media, games—none of these are bad in themselves, but many of them are purposely designed to be addictive, and that’s bad. I stay clear of those, but I don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. The hardware can still be put to good use.
