The conspiracy theories of the 2030 Agenda are increasingly a meeting point for many users when it comes to talking about the dangers of the future.
While it is true that among so many, some are truly surreal, others seem to make some sense for the population. And yes, the Metaverse seems to be part of these theories, but let's go in parts.
CBDC ( Central Bank Digital Currency )
CBDCs, or central bank digital currencies, are a new form of money that is being developed by central banks around the world, which differentiates them from cryptocurrencies, which are issued by private entities.
Banks and governments are very interested in launching CBDC for several reasons, including:
🔋 Improve the efficiency of the financial system:
🔸 Reduce transaction costs.
🔸 Improve the speed of money transfers.
🔋 Promote financial inclusion:
🔸 Provide access to money for people who currently do not have access to traditional financial services.
🔋 Protect financial stability:
🔸 Mitigate risks associated with traditional payment systems
However, CBDCs also carry some risks for people, including:
🛑 Loss of Privacy: 🔻 They could be used to track people's expenses, which could affect their privacy. Your spending history could be used to create consumer profiles or to identify your political preferences
Central banks are working to develop systems that allow people to monitor their spending data. However, it is still unclear how these measures will be implemented and whether they will be effective.
🛑 Government control: 🔻 Governments could use CBDCs to control people's transactions.
In fact, the fear of many people is that they may block transactions that the government considers illegal or undesirable. While this is not bad, the fine line between what a government considers and what people consider often differs completely, restricting the freedom of the population. This way, if, for example, you use cryptocurrencies, the government could block all your operations if it sees it necessary or block your accounts if you have participated in political demonstrations against them.
🛑 Risk of inflation: 🔻 If too many CBDCs were issued, it could lead to inflation.
And not only this. They must also develop robust security systems to protect themselves from cyber attacks as well as implement supply control mechanisms.
15 MINUTE CITIES
15-minute cities are an urban planning model that proposes that all essential services and activities be within a 15-minute walk, bicycle or public transport distance. This model is based on the idea that people should be able to access everything they need to live their daily lives without having to use a car.
They have several potential benefits, such as:
🔋 Improve quality of life:
🔸 More chances to be physically active, which can improve your health and well-being. Additionally, they have more opportunities to participate in community life.
🔋 Reduce pollution:
🔸 Reduce air and noise pollution as people use their cars less.
🔋 Promote sustainability:
🔸 They can help promote sustainability by reducing the need for transportation.
On the other hand, the idea that 15-minute cities serve to control the population is based on the belief that this urban planning model could be used to restrict people's freedom of movement. For example, if all essential services are 15 minutes away, people might be forced to live in a certain location to access them.
Although this seemed to be a conspiracy theory as well, little by little it has been making sense:
Barcelona
In Barcelona, Spain, the City Council has closed the Poblenou neighborhood to turn it into a 15-minute testing space for the city. Video surveillance cameras have been installed in the neighborhood and some streets have been closed to traffic. These measures have been criticized by neighbors, who consider them to be a violation of privacy and freedom of movement. In 2023, several demonstrations took place against these measures.
In Paris, exactly the same thing has happened with the La Chapelle neighborhood. The same has happened in some areas of London and NY.
This in the end generates 3 problems specifically:
🔰 Privacy violation 🔰: Video surveillance cameras are used to track people's movements, which can be a violation of their privacy.
🔰Police repression🔰: Closing streets to traffic can be used to restrict people's freedom of movement, which can facilitate police repression.
🔰Gentrification🔰: Closing neighborhoods to traffic can contribute to gentrification by making these neighborhoods more attractive to people with high incomes.
This from 15 minute cities,
Doesn't it remind you of movies like The Purge? What this could cause is extreme inequalities in the population, creating true ghettos or "walled" zones in the style of The Hunger Games where populations are established by sectors and even fight among themselves for natural resources.
METAGENDA 2030 METAVERSE
Of course, Agenda 2030 has also set its sights on the Metaverse.
The government of Spain has included the metaverse in its 2030 Agenda as an opportunity to promote innovation, competitiveness and employment. In the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, the government commits to investing 1,483 million euros in emerging technologies, such as the metaverse.
Among the government's objectives with the metaverse are:
🔰Promote research and development of new technologies related to the metaverse.
🔰Create a favorable environment for the development of companies and startups that work in the metaverse.
🔰Train the population in digital skills related to the metaverse.
At the end of 2022, around 4 million euros in aid have already been received for these developments in Spain https://www.europapress.es/economia/noticia-gobierno-concede-38-millones-ayudas-22-proyectos- metaverse-20221115104442.html
Also of course other ecosystem technologies are on said agenda:
We can see that they make special mention of biometrics and digital identity. Let us remember that although biometrics safely facilitates some identification processes, it is also a great tool for population control and citizen identification.
IoT, disruptive technologies and digital infrastructures are also part of the Agenda. Likewise, there are others that are quite interesting to contemplate, such as the pilot programs for autonomous cars.
We can see that in its plan towards ecological transformation, mention is made of "Smart Cities" and this will basically promote the development and support of companies in the technology sector. Just below we can see it when we talk about 5G, computing, AI, enabling technologies, cybersecurity or fintech.
Again at the end of the third paragraph he mentions driverless vehicles. Something that, if applied in the public sector, could eliminate numerous jobs such as regional buses or even taxis.
Finally and to conclude this block, an intention to reform the training catalog in the current technological training demand is included:
Of course, although this is the National Agenda #2030 , the municipalities also have their own roadmaps, such as the municipality of Borriol (Castellón) where in their 2030 youth participation and commitment plan, they include the Metaverse
What is the Metaverse for the Government of Spain?
The concept of metaverse is very broad and today there are many realities that are included. Each sector defines or understands the metaverse in a way and a public body could not be less. In this sense, companies, with their own conception of what the metaverse is, have already ventured to use it. The applications it has are many and so are the ways to use/exploit it. However, it is true that there are a series of industries that currently predominate in their synergy with the metaverse, being brands, video game developers and the entertainment sector. Consequently, these aid will be directed first to these industries as they are the ones most closely related to the metaverse.
In parallel to this aid for projects related to the metaverse, the Digital Spain Agenda 2026 and other projects to digitize the business fabric have been published. The objective is to bring the company closer to web 3.0 and augmented virtual reality. This, ultimately, is nothing more than an investment since the ministry's estimate is that the metaverse will be worth around $1 billion in 2026.
Who is the digitization aid for #gobierno intended for?
Eligible projects
In the two lines of action, the projects will have (at least) one of the following purposes:
Prototyping or innovative processes of new tools for audiovisual production and digital content. Prototypes or innovative processes that make use of technologies associated with the Metaverse and Web 3 for social transformation and the integration of disadvantaged groups, especially with regard to the gender gap. Creation of new virtual work and collaboration spaces. Prototypes or innovative processes that implement the technologies associated with #metaverso in cultural, health or educational environments.
Of course, the Metaverse can be used for many positive things, however I cannot leave without mentioning those negative aspects in which it can be used by Governments, in this case, the Government of Spain:
Loss of #privacidad
For example, VR can be used to track people's movements in the virtual world. Blockchain can be used to record and track people's transactions. AI can be used to analyze people's personal data to create consumer profiles or to identify their political preferences. IoT can be used to collect personal data from people through connected devices.
Government control
Governments could use VR to create virtual environments in which people can be controlled or manipulated. Blockchain could be used to create mass surveillance systems. AI could be used to identify and track people who are considered a threat to the government. IoT could be used to collect people's personal data to create risk profiles
Inequality
For example, people with access to these technologies could have an advantage over people who don't have access. This could widen the gap between the rich and the poor.
Disinformation
VR could be used to create fake content that is difficult to distinguish from reality. Blockchain could be used to create information dissemination systems that are difficult to control. AI could be used to create #bots that spread false information on social media. IoT could be used to collect people's personal data to create consumer profiles that can be used to spread targeted advertising.
Once again I hope you liked my new edition. As Optimus Prime would say in Transformers << Freedom is the right of all sentient beings >>, I just hope that new technologies do not make us all locked up, controlled, monitored and limit freedoms. Be used responsibly, moderately and for a better world.
I will continue reporting in future editions
