Virtual society : the metaverse and the new frontiers of human experience /

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:Narula, Herman, author.
Edition:First edition.
Imprint:New York : Currency, [2022]
Description:xx, 260 pages ; 22 cm
Language:English
Subject:
Format: Print Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/12774299
Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:9780593239971
0593239970
9780593239988
Notes:Includes bibliographical references and index.
Summary:"An eye-opening, myth-busting exploration of the metaverse, its ancient origins, and how the exchange of value and ideas within virtual words will expand the possibilities of human life-from the visionary co-founder of one of today's most innovative technology companies. The concept of "the metaverse" has recently exploded in the public consciousness. But its contours remain elusive. Is it merely an immersive virtual reality playground, one which Facebook and other platforms will angle to control? Is it simply the next generation of massive multiplayer online games? Or is it something more revolutionary? As Herman Narula shows, the metaverse is actually the latest manifestation of an ancient human tendency: the act of world building. From the Egyptians, whose conception of death inspired them to build the pyramids, to modern-day sports fans, whose passion for a game inspires extreme behavior, humans have long sought to supplement their day-to-day lives with a rich diversity of alternative experiences. Rooting his vision in history and psychology, Narula argues that humans' intrinsic need for autonomy, accomplishment, and connection can now best be met in virtual "worlds of ideas," in which users will have the chance to create and exchange meaning and value. The metaverse is both the growing set of fulfilling digital experiences-ranging from advanced gaming, to entertainment experiences like concerts, and even virtual employment-as well as the empowering framework that allows these spaces to become "networks of useful meaning." Bloomberg Intelligence recently predicted the metaverse will become an $800 billon industry by 2024. But its potential, argues Narula, is far more awe-inspiring than as a spigot of cash. The arrival of the metaverse marks the beginning of a new age of exploration-not outward, but inward-with the potential to reshape society and open the door to a new understanding of the human species and its capabilities. Rigorously researched and passionately argued, Virtual Society will be a provocative and essential guide for anyone who wants to go beyond superficial headlines to understand the true shape and potential of our virtual future"--
Other form:Online version: Narula, Herman. Virtual society New York, NY : Currency, [2022] 9780593239988

MARC

LEADER 00000cam a2200000 i 4500
001 12774299
008 220506s2022 nyu b 001 0 eng
005 20230112171230.9
010 |a  2022016401 
035 9 |a (GOBI)99992293479 
040 |a DLC  |b eng  |e rda  |c DLC  |d OCLCF  |d UKMGB  |d HHO  |d YDX 
020 |a 9780593239971  |q hardcover 
020 |a 0593239970  |q hardcover 
020 |z 9780593239988  |q electronic book 
035 |a (OCoLC)1314633470 
042 |a pcc 
050 0 0 |a HM851  |b .N3727 2022 
082 0 0 |a 302.23/1  |2 23/eng/20220506 
100 1 |a Narula, Herman,  |e author. 
245 1 0 |a Virtual society :  |b the metaverse and the new frontiers of human experience /  |c Herman Narula. 
250 |a First edition. 
264 1 |a New York :  |b Currency,  |c [2022] 
300 |a xx, 260 pages ;  |c 22 cm 
336 |a text  |b txt  |2 rdacontent 
337 |a unmediated  |b n  |2 rdamedia 
338 |a volume  |b nc  |2 rdacarrier 
504 |a Includes bibliographical references and index. 
520 |a "An eye-opening, myth-busting exploration of the metaverse, its ancient origins, and how the exchange of value and ideas within virtual words will expand the possibilities of human life-from the visionary co-founder of one of today's most innovative technology companies. The concept of "the metaverse" has recently exploded in the public consciousness. But its contours remain elusive. Is it merely an immersive virtual reality playground, one which Facebook and other platforms will angle to control? Is it simply the next generation of massive multiplayer online games? Or is it something more revolutionary? As Herman Narula shows, the metaverse is actually the latest manifestation of an ancient human tendency: the act of world building. From the Egyptians, whose conception of death inspired them to build the pyramids, to modern-day sports fans, whose passion for a game inspires extreme behavior, humans have long sought to supplement their day-to-day lives with a rich diversity of alternative experiences. Rooting his vision in history and psychology, Narula argues that humans' intrinsic need for autonomy, accomplishment, and connection can now best be met in virtual "worlds of ideas," in which users will have the chance to create and exchange meaning and value. The metaverse is both the growing set of fulfilling digital experiences-ranging from advanced gaming, to entertainment experiences like concerts, and even virtual employment-as well as the empowering framework that allows these spaces to become "networks of useful meaning." Bloomberg Intelligence recently predicted the metaverse will become an $800 billon industry by 2024. But its potential, argues Narula, is far more awe-inspiring than as a spigot of cash. The arrival of the metaverse marks the beginning of a new age of exploration-not outward, but inward-with the potential to reshape society and open the door to a new understanding of the human species and its capabilities. Rigorously researched and passionately argued, Virtual Society will be a provocative and essential guide for anyone who wants to go beyond superficial headlines to understand the true shape and potential of our virtual future"--  |c Provided by publisher. 
650 0 |a Digital media  |x Social aspects. 
650 0 |a Human-computer interaction. 
650 0 |a Virtual reality. 
650 0 |a Computers and civilization. 
650 7 |a Computers and civilization.  |2 fast  |0 (OCoLC)fst00872888 
650 7 |a Digital media  |x Social aspects.  |2 fast  |0 (OCoLC)fst01766776 
650 7 |a Human-computer interaction.  |2 fast  |0 (OCoLC)fst00963494 
650 7 |a Virtual reality.  |2 fast  |0 (OCoLC)fst01167688 
776 0 8 |i Online version:  |a Narula, Herman.  |t Virtual society  |d New York, NY : Currency, [2022]  |z 9780593239988  |w (DLC) 2022016402 
929 |a cat 
999 f f |s e0a8c5d0-5a84-4fc3-804a-945495a26fef  |i a9a7ee29-8a71-4e33-9273-61c20c7ca7f8 
928 |t Library of Congress classification  |a HM851.N3727 2022  |l JRL  |c JRL-Gen  |i 12911873 
927 |t Library of Congress classification  |a HM851.N3727 2022  |l JRL  |c JRL-Gen  |e SHAP  |b 117829220  |i 10441638