What The F*** Is The Metaverse‪?‬ The Leonard's

In a riveting podcast episode, Brett Leonard, the director behind "The Lawnmower Man," proclaims "Hollywood will change radically within the next five years," setting the stage for a deep dive into the transformative technologies of Sora and Apple Vision Pro. Brett draws thought-provoking comparisons between the once unparalleled IMAX experiences to the burgeoning realm of virtual reality—a transition underscored by Sora's advanced AI, which promises a new epoch for content creators. The discussion then shifts to Apple Vision Pro's innovative leap, highlighting how it's reshaping our engagement with digital environments, much like VR reimagined the very concept of immersive experiences.
Through this intergenerational dialogue, Shannon and Brett Leonard navigate the nuances of these technological marvels, examining their profound implications on traditional media and beyond. They explore how Sora's AI is not just an editing tool but a collaborative partner for creators, while Apple Vision Pro's immersive interface heralds a new standard for user interaction and 3D cinema. Shannon shares insights from launching a newsletter aimed at guiding creatives through the intricate web of emerging AI technologies. The episode invites listeners to explore how these leading-edge technologies are scripting a new future for the entertainment industry.
Please subscribe via your favorite app/platform and leave us a 5-star review if you enjoyed the podcast. Thank you for listening!
Brett Leonard is a veteran Hollywood film director known for introducing the concept of Virtual Reality to popular culture with his hit film Lawnmower Man. Apart from directing many other feature films, he is involved with innovating immersive content production for the emerging virtual mediums of the Metaverse era. Shannon Leonard is a creative director, YouTube creator and VR early adopter.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatisthemetaverse.substack.com

This episode ventures deep into the tech vortex of 2023, dissecting the trends that have transformed the buzzword 'metaverse' into a tangible digital frontier powered by AI. Hosts Shannon and Brett navigate through the year's pivotal moments, from the rise and fall of tech lingo to the ethical conundrums posed by AI's advance. They examine the intersection where technology meets humanity, pondering the implications of virtual realities and AI in our daily lives.
With an eye on both the rearview and the road ahead, they offer an intergenerational dialogue on the digital revolution—its potential to innovate and its capacity to disrupt. This is an exploration of not just the technology that's reshaping our world, but also the narratives, skepticism, and speculations surrounding it.
Topics covered in this episode:
* Advancements in AI: How artificial intelligence is becoming more integrated into creative industries and everyday applications.
* Effective Accelerationism: Discussion about the societal and technological changes being expedited by a new movement or “neo-religion” focused on speeding up technological progress.
* Spatial Computing Developments: The latest in spatial technology, such as the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest.
* Tab, Humane, and Screen-less AI Computing: A dive into new wearable AI tech and its implications for human-computer interactions.And more as the hosts reflect on 2023!
Please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review. Thank you for listening!
Brett Leonard is a veteran Hollywood film director known for introducing the concept of Virtual Reality to popular culture with his hit film Lawnmower Man. Apart from directing many other feature films, he is involved with innovating immersive content production for the emerging virtual mediums of the Metaverse era. Shannon Leonard is a creative director, YouTube creator and VR early adopter.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatisthemetaverse.substack.com

AI Acceleration and Tech's New Era! Brett and Shannon dissect the tumultuous events surrounding OpenAI, focusing on the firing and reinstatement of Sam Altman. The discussion also touches on Microsoft's growing influence in OpenAI's direction, highlighting the complexities of corporate interests in the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence. The conversation further delves into OpenAI's impressive reach, with over 100 million weekly users, and its impact across various industries. Brett and Shannon provide insights into the ethical and practical implications of AI's accelerated development, discussing the potential benefits and consequences of this technology on society and individual lives.
This episode offers a unique blend of technical analysis, business dynamics, and philosophical inquiry, presenting a comprehensive overview of the current state and future trajectory of AI and the Metaverse.
Please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review. Thank you for listening!
Brett Leonard is a veteran Hollywood film director known for introducing the concept of Virtual Reality to popular culture with his hit film Lawnmower Man. Apart from directing many other feature films, he is involved with innovating immersive content production for the emerging virtual mediums of the Metaverse era. Shannon Leonard is a creative director, YouTube creator and VR early adopter.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatisthemetaverse.substack.com

In this wide-ranging conversation, father and son co-hosts compare perspectives across generations and dive deep into how AI is fueling the digital world’s rapid evolution. They discuss innovative technologies like the Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest 3, GPT-4, DALL-E 3, and AlphaFold, reflecting on how quickly these hardware and software tools are transforming fields like medicine, science, and the arts.
Fundamental questions bubble up around capitalism, privacy, the value of the physical versus digital, and even the nature of death. As communication itself morphs, Brett and Shannon agree the acceleration of change feels unprecedented, perhaps like a "vortex" or a mythic "Promethean moment." More reflections on the blurring lines between physical and virtual are sure to come.
Please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review. Thank you for listening!


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatisthemetaverse.substack.com

Brett discusses artificial intelligence and its impact on filmmaking, technology, and society. Reflecting on his own work, including the film The Lawnmower Man, Leonard discusses the iconic line "I am God" and its significance in illustrating the theme of humans merging with machines. Drawing on inspiration from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, the conversation delves into the idea of humans becoming the gods they have created throughout history, as AI continues to advance and shape our world.
The discussion also encompasses the broader implications of AI's presence in the realm of cinema and beyond, touching on films like Virtuosity and Hideaway. Brett and Shannon share their own experience in using AI tools for various creative projects, highlighting the importance of a balanced, collaborative approach. They also explore recent developments in AI-generated content, such as video and 3D scene generation, and the impact these advancements may have on the future of the industry.
This thought-provoking conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, creative collaboration, and the future of storytelling.
Brett Leonard is a veteran Hollywood film director known for introducing the concept of Virtual Reality to popular culture with his hit film Lawnmower Man. Apart from directing many other feature films, he is involved with innovating immersive content production for the emerging virtual mediums of the Metaverse era. Shannon Leonard is a creative producer, YouTube creator and VR early adopter.
Send your questions on Twitter @directorleonard and @shannonleonard. Thanks for listening!


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatisthemetaverse.substack.com

We explore the impact of GPT-4 on the digital landscape, discuss the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, and examine some wild predictions from Balaji Srinivasan (the former Chief Technology Officer of Coinbase, and former general partner at the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz) about Bitcoin and the future of the banking system. We'll explore how GPT-4 marks a significant leap forward in natural language processing and machine learning, enabling a new era of human-AI collaboration. From content generation to virtual assistants, we'll discuss how GPT-4 is revolutionizing various industries and what it means for the future of work, creativity, and communication.
Furthermore, we'll delve into the repercussions of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, examining the ripple effects felt throughout the financial ecosystem and the implications for the global economy. As we sift through the wild conjectures emerging on Twitter, we'll weigh in on the credibility of these predictions and their potential impact on the banking system.
Lastly, we'll share our thoughts on the digitization of everything, contemplating the evolving relationship between technology, finance, and society. Could this be a positive turning point for humanity, or will new challenges arise in this interconnected digital world? Most likely, both!
Please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and leave us a review. Thank you for listening!
Brett Leonard is a veteran Hollywood film director known for introducing the concept of Virtual Reality to popular culture with his hit film Lawnmower Man. Apart from directing many other feature films, he is involved with innovating immersive content production for the emerging virtual mediums of the Metaverse era. Shannon Leonard is a creative director, YouTube creator and VR early adopter.
Send your questions on Twitter by tagging both @directorleonard and @shannonleonard.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatisthemetaverse.substack.com