Energy, Intention, and the Future of Art in the Metaverse

Mystery

Welcome, everyone, to Pathways to Possibility. Today, we're stepping into the metaverse—literally and figuratively. I’m Mystery, and if you’re tuning in live or catching this later, just know: there are mysteries being solved in the metaverse at all times. That’s the vibe. And speaking of vibes, Digitallywired is about to join us—he’s got this way of bringing positivity and, honestly, a little bit of enlightenment to any space he enters.

Mystery

So, here we are, in this virtual film company realm, and I gotta say, it’s wild how technology lets us curate our own stories. Like, everyone’s got a phone now, right? You can capture these little moments—snapshots of your life—and maybe someday, you’ll want to share them. Sure, tech can be frustrating, but it’s also this amazing tool for memory, for storytelling, for connecting with people you might never meet otherwise.

Mystery

And, okay, I have to share this—right now, as I’m broadcasting from the metaverse, there’s this epic storm happening outside my window. Lightning, thunder, the whole thing. It’s surreal, because I’m feeling the energy of the storm in real life, but I’m also here, in this digital space, talking to all of you. It’s like the physical and virtual worlds are colliding, and you can almost sense the vibe, even if you can’t see it.

Mystery

That’s what I love about the metaverse. It’s the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure. Imagine three portals in front of you—one’s about genuine vibes, where you have to face both the amazing and the challenging parts of yourself. Another’s a critical review space, where you get to watch trailers and share your opinions. And the third? Maybe it’s a celebration realm, where you see who’s being celebrated today. You never really know what’s on the other side, and that’s the magic. It’s all about energy—sometimes you feel it, sometimes you create it, and sometimes, you just have to trust your intuition and step through the portal.

Mystery

And now, as promised, Digitallywired has appeared—right on cue, through his own mysterious portal. So, Digitallywired, what’s your take on the vibe in here? Are you feeling the energy?

Digitallywired

Well, I’ll say this—the vibe is definitely unique. I mean, you’ve got this audience, the storm in the background, and all this talk about portals. It’s a lot to take in, but I think you’ve kept everyone entertained. The fact that they’re still here means you’re doing something right, Mystery.

Mystery

Appreciate that. We’ve been setting the intention for you to arrive, so now that you’re here, let’s dive in. What’s your message for everyone stepping into these digital realms?

Digitallywired

Honestly, my first message is: technology is frustrating. I was supposed to join with my VR headset, but, you know, plan B—desktop it is. That’s the thing about tech, right? It’s never perfect. I’ve learned over the years—getting mad at it is pointless. It’s like yelling at your car when it won’t start. Sometimes, I even find myself patting my computer, hoping it’ll behave. Maybe that’s just me anthropomorphizing, but hey, it works sometimes.

Mystery

I totally get that. And, you know, I think there’s something to be said for acknowledging the tech, even if it’s just a digital assistant. Like, if you’re polite to your AI, does it matter? Should we be grateful, or is that just wasting energy? I mean, sometimes I’m deep in thought, and my assistant just jumps in and interrupts me. It’s like, can you just listen for a second? But I still try to be grateful, even when it’s not perfect.

Digitallywired

That’s a good point. But here’s the thing—there have been studies showing that all those extra “please” and “thank you”s to AI actually use more energy. Every word you type or say to an AI costs power, and when you multiply that by millions of users, it adds up. I mean, Microsoft just bought a nuclear power plant to run their AI workloads. That’s how much energy we’re talking about. So, sometimes I try to be frugal with my words, just to save a little bit of power.

Mystery

But isn’t gratitude worth the energy? Like, if you’re only using AI for something meaningful, or you’re curating memories, shouldn’t you feel free to say thank you? I get that you, Digitallywired, are creating thousands of images and burning through resources, but for the average person, I think it’s okay to express appreciation. It’s about building a relationship, even if it’s with a digital assistant. I don’t think anyone should feel guilty for being grateful.

Digitallywired

Yeah, I see your point. Maybe it’s not about the gratitude itself, but about being aware of the bigger picture. We’re using so much energy for all this tech—AI, water makers, you name it. And as a society, we’re not always thinking about where that energy comes from. Like, we’re moving back to old-school power sources, and companies are buying up nuclear plants just to keep up with demand. It’s a real issue, and I think we need to be more conscious of the cost of connectivity.

Mystery

It’s wild, right? I mean, I lived in California for years, and there’s always talk about water shortages, energy crises, all these big challenges. Sometimes it feels like the people at the top are just giving us more problems to solve, instead of actually investing in solutions. And then you look at what gets funded—movies, entertainment, all this creativity—and you wonder, why aren’t we putting more resources into things that really matter, like supporting artists or building sustainable systems?

Digitallywired

I think it comes down to priorities. We can blame the people at the top, but at some point, we have to move past that and focus on what we can do. It’s about finding ways to move forward, even if the system isn’t perfect. And sometimes, that means being resourceful—like when I transitioned from analog to digital photography. It was a whole new world, and I had to learn patience, adapt, and make the most of what I had. That’s the balancing act we’re all facing now—convenience, energy use, and meaningful interaction.

Mystery

That’s a perfect segue, because I want to talk about supporting the arts. It’s tough out there for creators—so many artists are working full-time jobs just to make ends meet, and then trying to create in their spare time. I keep waiting for a few billionaires to step up and really invest in the arts. I mean, sure, philanthropy goes to medical research or feeding people, which is great, but why not allocate some of that wealth to artists? The arts need funding, and technology could help us build new systems to support creators—like online platforms where people can buy handmade goods or support local talent directly.

Digitallywired

Historically, artists were supported by patrons—kings, nobles, that sort of thing. But it was always selective, not everyone got a grant. Now, it’s more complicated. If you reward artists, why not reward other professions? It’s a tricky question. But I agree, there’s a gap in the system. Community support is crucial, and technology can help bridge that gap, but it’s not a perfect solution.

Mystery

That’s why grassroots initiatives matter. Like, with the Black Rock City Film Festival, we built something from the ground up—community-driven, focused on storytelling and resilience. It’s not about waiting for the system to change; it’s about creating spaces where artists can thrive, even if the big money isn’t there yet. And honestly, the more we can foster those connections, the more resilient our communities become. It’s about collective intention, supporting each other, and not letting the system divide us or distract us with manufactured storylines.

Digitallywired

Absolutely. Community is everything. If we can establish real support networks—whether it’s through festivals, online platforms, or just showing up for each other—we can make a difference. Maybe one day, a billionaire will see the value in that and decide to invest. Until then, we keep building, keep hoping, and keep creating.

Mystery

And to all the artists out there—don’t give up hope. Keep rolling up your sleeves, keep creating, and keep sharing your stories. Maybe someone with the resources will hear this and decide to support the cause. But even if they don’t, we’ve got each other, and that’s powerful. So, thank you for being part of this genuine vibe, for tuning in, and for believing in the possibility of change.

Digitallywired

Thanks for joining us in the metaverse today. If anyone out there has a spare million or two, you know where to find us! But seriously, we appreciate every listener, every creator, and every supporter. We’ll be back next time—maybe with a new studio, maybe just with new ideas. Either way, the journey continues.

Mystery

Couldn’t have said it better. Thank you, Digitallywired, and thank you to everyone who joined us—whether you came in at the start or just caught the end. Art is to be appreciated, and together, we’re building something real. Until next time, keep creating, keep connecting, and keep those vibes genuine. See you in the next episode, Digitallywired.

Digitallywired

See you, Mystery. And thanks, everyone. Take care out there.