The Bar at the Edge of the Metaverse

Not long ago while traveling for work, I sat at the hotel lobby bar for a late dinner. I ignored the Monday Night Football game on TV and the conversation next to me about the day’s writers’ conference workshop because I was glued to a Twitter group chat called Fin’s Beach Bar and Back Patio. The person sitting next to me must have noticed how much I was snickering as I scrolled my phone. “You look like you’re having a great time,” they said. “What’s so funny?” Do I even try and explain? I wondered. “Just my friends,” I replied. I left out the part about the imaginary bar by the beach. In sociology, the term “third places” describes the places people spend time between home (“first” place) and work (“second” place). Third places are where people gather primarily for social reasons and to build relationships. For many of the 200+ people across 3 group chats, our shared memes, creations, and inside jokes make Fin’s a third place. We’ve grown into a community with a unique culture and identity and we’re ready to evolve. But before Fin’s opens it’s doors to more people, it’s a good time to reflect and share: <a href="https://medium.com/@deepbluesteeve/the-bar-at-the-edge-of-the-metaverse-9d1cee2b90c7">Read More</a>