Metaverse maelstrom: Dissecting information dynamics and polarisation

Abstract

The Metaverse represents a collaborative virtual realm blending physical and digital realities, fostering limitless avenues for online interaction, discovery and innovation. As technological strides propel immersive virtual worlds to the forefront of social media platforms, scholarly interest in the Metaverse surges, prompting extensive discourse. Drawing from social identity theory, this article introduces a novel framework for analysing online polarisation within discussions on the Metaverse, specifically on X (Twitter). Leveraging a multifaceted approach that integrates clustering, social network analysis, and text mining, our study delves into both group and opinion polarisation dynamics surrounding the Metaverse. Our findings uncover distinct community divisions and network structures, shedding light on prevalent themes, such as ‘Non-Fungible Token (NFTs)’, ‘Virtual Products and Collections’, ‘Blockchain Technology’, ‘Gaming’, and ‘Financial Markets’ that resonate within the public discourse.