History is a testament to rivalries creating excellence. Tesla versus Edison for electricity, America versus the USSR in the Space Race, the Tigers and the Crimson Tide for SEC supremacy. The future of augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) will be no different.    .

Apple and Meta (formerly known as Facebook) are currently locked in competition with their Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 to see who can provide consumers with the definitive AR/VR experience.

The most recent manifestation of this rivalry came in the form of a viral instagram video from Mark Zuckerberg, lambasting Apple’s new Vision Pro. Zuckerberg spared no detail in comparing the weight, appearance, interface, and visuals of the Apple Vision Pro to Meta’s Quest 3 virtual reality headset. His (biased) conclusion? Meta’s Quest 3 headset is the clear victor. Whether or not Tim Cook will fire back in similar fashion remains to be seen.

While the headsets have technical differences, both are pushing the boundaries of progress in the rapidly growing AR/VR industry. This technology has the potential to transform industries and the way users interact with the physical world through immersion in virtual realities and hyperrealistic augmented realities. Military and medical training can become much more realistic, classrooms can bring concepts to life, and film and music can be experienced in a more profound way.

The race to create the best AR/VR headset is just one example of how competition can spur innovation. When businesses compete on the free market, the consumer is both the judge and the winner. Competition for the consumer’s business drives down price and improves quality. The tech sector is perhaps the best example of this phenomenon in action.

The greatest obstacle to healthy competition is government bureaucracy. Too often the government uses regulation to pick winners and losers. This stifles competition and prevents us from getting the best products at the lowest price.

While a debate over which virtual reality headset you prefer may seem small, it’s indicative of companies competing to make our lives better.  Healthy rivalries help everyone; businesses strive for excellence and buyers have better options. Apple vs. Meta will always have a better outcome than business vs. the government.