There are plenty of ways to make money in the metaverse — custom avatars, cool maps, unique digital experiences, ad-supported livestreamed playthrough videos — but the folks trying to convince you to buy a digital mansion or a virtual yacht aren't going to be part of that new economy.

They know they don't understand it, they know the way value intersects with creativity online is changing, they know NFT real estate is worthless, and they know they have no place in the future that's quickly approaching. And it scares them.