The metaverse is supposed to create shared space and experiences. But if we don’t prioritise human wellbeing in its development, it risks pushing us further apart. Here’s why. — You might have heard the term ‘metaverse’ a lot in the past two weeks. Even though it was first coined back in 1992 — in a sci-fi novel — it wasn’t all that well known until late October, when Mark Zuckerberg announced Facebook’s re-brand as ‘Meta’ and pivot towards focusing…

Covid-19 has blurred useful boundaries in our lives. Here’s how we can make them clear again. — Covid-19 has blurred the boundaries of our lives more than any event since the invention of the internet. Processes which were already underway — such as remote working, or spending ever more of our time in digital environments — have been accelerated by the pandemic. What was forced upon many…

How organisations and people can manage key challenges of remote working — Co-authored with Dr Chris Merritt In February, Swedish tech giant Spotify unveiled a new, hyper-remote working model, which they dubbed ‘Work from anywhere’. Other big companies — many also in the technology sector, like Facebook, Microsoft and Fujitsu — have announced similar plans to make remote working arrangements permanent once…

Let’s break the rituals that trap us in cycles of anxiety — Co-authored with Dr Chris Merritt Maria told me that she wasn’t always like this. ‘I never used to check for symptoms all the time,’ she said. ‘But now, as soon as I feel any little change in my body, I’m straight online, googling what it could be. And I always…

Why we’re developing rituals that trap us in cycles of anxiety — Co-authored with Dr Chris Merritt The masked young couple both freeze as I jog towards them at a safe distance. They’re staring at my uncovered face. I watch as they take out a tub of antibacterial gel and sanitise their hands as I pass, before walking on. Further down the…

Why some people don’t do social distancing — By Dr Richard Wolman & Dr Chris Merritt Over the past couple of weeks, many of us have been there. The dreaded situation. You’re out for your daily exercise in the park, or walking to the shops for essentials, when you see them. Coming towards you. Right down the middle…

On Covid-19 lockdown, more human contact is digital than ever before. We need to recognise what we’re missing and choose what we change post-virus. — by Dr Richard Wolman and Dr Chris Merritt The Coronavirus pandemic has forced most of us into a temporary state of isolation. We are almost completely reliant on digital technologies to communicate with anyone outside of…