Author: Matthew Ball Publisher: Liveright Publishing ISBN: 1324092041 Category : Technology & Engineering Languages : en Pages : 293
Book Description
INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER — United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and China (Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Nielsen Bookscan, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Toronto Star, Globe & Mail, BookNet Canada, Bookseller.com, Bookdao/Nielsen, JD, DangDang) Tim Sweeney (CEO of Fortnite-maker Epic Games): “Matthew Ball’s essays have defined, analyzed, and inspired the Metaverse for years. His book is an approachable and essential guide to the strategic, technical, and philosophical foundations of this new medium.” Derek Thompson (Atlantic staff writer and national best-selling author of Hit Makers): “This book feels like a rare achievement: a definitive statement about an emerging phenomenon that could shape the digital world, the global economy, and the very experience of human consciousness.” From the leading theorist of the Metaverse comes the definitive account of the next internet: what the Metaverse is, what it will take to build it, and what it means for all of us. The term “Metaverse” is suddenly everywhere, from the front pages of national newspapers and the latest fashion trends to the plans of the most powerful companies in history. It is already shaping the policy platforms of the US government, the European Union, and the Chinese Communist Party. But what, exactly, is the Metaverse? As pioneering theorist and venture capitalist Matthew Ball explains, it is a persistent and interconnected network of 3D virtual worlds that will eventually serve as the gateway to most online experiences, and also underpin much of the physical world. For decades, these ideas have been limited to science fiction and video games, but they are now poised to revolutionize every industry and function, from finance and healthcare to education, consumer products, city planning, dating, and well beyond. Taking us on an expansive tour of the “next internet,” Ball demonstrates that many proto-Metaverses are already here, such as Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox. Yet these offer only a glimpse of what is to come. Ball presents a comprehensive definition of the Metaverse before explaining the technologies that will power it—and the breakthroughs that will be necessary to fully realize it. He addresses the governance challenges the Metaverse entails; investigates the role of Web3, blockchains, and NFTs; and predicts Metaverse winners and losers. Most importantly, he examines many of the Metaverse’s almost unlimited applications. The internet will no longer be at arm’s length; instead, it will surround us, with much of our lives, labor, and leisure taking place inside the Metaverse. Bringing clarity and authority to a frequently misunderstood concept, Ball foresees trillions of dollars in new value—and the radical reshaping of society.
Author: Neal Stephenson Publisher: Penguin UK ISBN: 0141924047 Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 362
Book Description
THE 30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION WITH NEW, NEVER-BEFORE-PUBLISHED MATERIAL After the Internet, what came next? Enter the Metaverse - cyberspace home to avatars and software daemons, where anything and just about everything goes. Newly available on the Street - the Metaverse's main drag - is Snow Crash. A cyberdrug that reduces avatars in the digital world to dust, but also infects users in real life, leaving them in a vegetative state. This is bad news for Hiro, a freelance hacker and the Metaverse's best swordfighter, and mouthy skateboard courier Y. T.. Together, investigating the Infocalypse, they trace back the roots of language itself to an ancient Sumerian priesthood and find they must race to stop a shadowy virtual villain hell-bent on world domination. In this special edition of the remarkably prescient modern classic, Neal Stephenson explores linguistics, computer science, politics and philosophy in the form of a break-neck adventure into the fast-approaching yet eerily recognizable future. 'Fast-forward free-style mall mythology for the twenty-first century' William Gibson 'Brilliantly realized' New York Times Book Review 'Like a Pynchon novel with the brakes removed' Washington Post 'A remarkably prescient vision of today's tech landscape' Vanity Fair
Author: Terry Winters Publisher: Winters Media ISBN: 9781913666996 Category : Languages : en Pages : 114
Book Description
Curious about the metaverse but can't quite wrap your head around it? Maybe you want to get a headstart but don't know where to begin? In this practical primer, you will learn why and how we should prepare for a new digital renaissance and what it means in terms of job opportunities, investments, and new business models. By reading this book, I invite you to start yourself on a journey of becoming a digital investor, a metaverse business owner, a virtual real estate mogul, voxel architect, or simply a curious onlooker to the latest chapter of the Internet. What you will learn from reading this book: - Who and what will power the metaverse - New business opportunities in the virtual economy and the web3 era - Introduction to decentralized worlds including Decentraland, Axie Infinity, SuperWorld, Cryptovoxels, The Sandbox, and Somnium Space - Insight into investing in virtual real estate, including the buy & flip approach and hoddling - The role of cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, DAOs, and NFTs in the metaverse You will also receive access to a private Discord group for discussing opportunities in the metaverse with the author and community.
Author: Gideon Burrows Publisher: Gideon Burrows ISBN: Category : Computers Languages : en Pages : 244
Book Description
Imagine a world where you pull on a headset, and everything you need to do, buy, communicate and enjoy is online, available and easy to access right there and then. This is The Metaverse! In October 2021, the founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg announced the platform would change its name to Meta - reflecting a new direction for the company, where almost every human function could be carried out online, mostly through virtual reality experience. Imagine a cross between Minecraft, Fortnite, Amazon and BitCoin. That is The Metaverse. Plug in to meet a partner. To carry out a business meeting. To learn at school and college. To access your news and opinions. To share ideas and hobbies. To sell, make money, buy, and lose money. The Metaverse is likely to mark an enormous change in the lives of every person in the Western World, in how we shop, work, learn, earn and communicate. But it is not without controversy: questions about privacy, data protection, human rights, online bullying. In this easy to understand, readable guide, you will learn everything you need to know about the emerging Metaverse, and how it will affect you and your family. - What is The Metaverse? - How will you access The Metaverse? - Work and The Metaverse - Education and The Metaverse - Shopping and earning on The Metaverse - Governance, democracy, and freedom on The Metaverse - Social media, communications, and sharing on The Metaverse - Leisure, fun and gaming on The Metaverse - Ethics, privacy, and policing The Metaverse - Can I escape The Metaverse? - What comes after The Metaverse? These are amazing times. The Metaverse will offer opportunities and challenges for every one of us. Find out where your place will be in the Future of the Internet.
Author: David J. Chalmers Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company ISBN: 0393635813 Category : Philosophy Languages : en Pages : 544
Book Description
A leading philosopher takes a mind-bending journey through virtual worlds, illuminating the nature of reality and our place within it. Virtual reality is genuine reality; that’s the central thesis of Reality+. In a highly original work of “technophilosophy,” David J. Chalmers gives a compelling analysis of our technological future. He argues that virtual worlds are not second-class worlds, and that we can live a meaningful life in virtual reality. We may even be in a virtual world already. Along the way, Chalmers conducts a grand tour of big ideas in philosophy and science. He uses virtual reality technology to offer a new perspective on long-established philosophical questions. How do we know that there’s an external world? Is there a god? What is the nature of reality? What’s the relation between mind and body? How can we lead a good life? All of these questions are illuminated or transformed by Chalmers’ mind-bending analysis. Studded with illustrations that bring philosophical issues to life, Reality+ is a major statement that will shape discussion of philosophy, science, and technology for years to come.
Author: Zaheer Allam Publisher: Elsevier ISBN: 0443223505 Category : Social Science Languages : en Pages : 238
Book Description
The Metaverse and Smart Cities: Urban Environments in the Age of Digital Connectivity explores the intersection between the rapidly growing metaverse and the future of cities. The metaverse is a virtual world that is increasingly gaining attention as a new frontier for human interaction and commerce. At the same time, cities are undergoing significant transformation as they face challenges such as population growth, urbanization, and environmental degradation. Urban planners and city administrators will find valuable insights on how the metaverse can be integrated into the planning and development of smart, sustainable and future cities. The book begins with an introduction to the concepts and technology of the metaverse as well as its history. It then sheds light on the current and future challenges and opportunities that the metaverse presents to cities and the quality of life of urban dwellers. It delves into the ways in which the metaverse can change cities, both in terms of their physical and virtual environments, and the impact it can have on the lives of those who live in them. It brings together the latest research and perspectives from experts in the fields of virtual reality, urban planning, and sustainability, to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of this rapidly evolving field. The insights and recommendations presented in the book will be valuable to policymakers, urban planners, and technology professionals interested in shaping the future of cities and the quality of life of those who live in them. Urban dwellers will gain an understanding of the potential impact of the metaverse on their quality of life, and technology enthusiasts and real estate developers will gain insights into the potential opportunities and challenges of investing in the metaverse and its connection to cities. Provides a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the relationship between the metaverse and cities, recognizing the role that virtual environments will play in shaping the future of urban life Presents practical examples and case studies to demonstrate the possibilities and challenges of the metaverse in cities Includes the historical foundations necessary for understanding the current challenges and potential future trajectories of the technology
Author: Herman Narula Publisher: Currency ISBN: 0593239970 Category : Business & Economics Languages : en Pages : 289
Book Description
“A fascinating, provocative case that the metaverse will not merely transform our virtual experience—it may actually enrich the quality of our lives” (Adam Grant)—from the visionary co-founder of one of today’s most innovative technology companies “This important book offers a highly persuasive argument that the metaverse, a new kind of virtual world, marks a profound next stage in this long human quest for fulfillment through creation.”—Chris Anderson, head of TED The concept of “the metaverse” has exploded in the public consciousness, but its contours remain elusive. Is it merely an immersive virtual reality playground, one that 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 pioneering technologist Herman Narula shows, the metaverse is the latest manifestation of an ancient human tendency: the act of worldbuilding. 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 best be met in virtual “worlds of ideas,” where users 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 concerts and other entertainment events and even to virtual employment—and the empowering framework that allows these spaces to become “networks of useful meaning.” Bloomberg Intelligence recently predicted that the metaverse will become an $800 billon industry by 2024. But its implications, argues Narula, will lead to far more awe-inspiring possibilities than 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 is a provocative and essential guide for anyone who wants to go beyond superficial headlines to understand the true contours and potential of our virtual future.
Author: Cathy Hackl Publisher: John Wiley & Sons ISBN: 1119898994 Category : Business & Economics Languages : en Pages : 279
Book Description
Jump into the metaverse to connect with consumers and explore endless opportunities Like the Internet before it, the metaverse is a virtual space bringing people, companies, and products together in both digital and real environments to create new economic opportunities. The groundwork is already laid. People and organizations jumping in are gaining invaluable experience, meeting customers, developing revenue streams, and even shaping metaverse culture. In Navigating the Metaverse: A Guide to Limitless Business Possibilities in a Web 3.0 World, a team of Silicon Valley thought leaders delivers a groundbreaking discussion of how to find the right opportunities in this fast-moving universe. You'll explore everything from the metaverse basics, to strategy, to launching your first metaverse project. In the book, you'll find: Data and market analysis to erase any doubt that the metaverse is the next big thing. Foundational knowledge about the metaverse, metaverse economy, Web3 technology, and more. The essential connection between metaverse environments, businesses, community, and digital products that make the metaverse economy so powerful. A deep dive on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and how to make the most of these assets. Frameworks to help find, nurture, measure, and capitalize on innovation in the metaverse. An essential breakdown of the next stage in online business, Navigating the Metaverse belongs in the libraries of entrepreneurs, executives, and innovators looking to lead in the new age of online business and commerce.
Author: Rim El Khoury Publisher: Springer Nature ISBN: 9819951267 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 203
Book Description
Sustainability is part of every aspect of our life, with climate concerns shaping the future. Thus, it is important to understand how metaverse will affect sustainability, as it is opening both challenges and opportunities for environmental sustainability. On the one side, replacing real-world interactions with 3D virtual and exchanging physical goods with digital ones are significantly less resource-intensive and more carbon-efficient. Therefore, this holds the promise of reducing the environmental pollution. On the other side, metaverse increases e-waste and energy consumption. Given this controversial impact, it is crucial for businesses and researchers to understand how to ensure that the metaverse develops sustainably. This book is popping out several questions: Do businesses understand the metaverse concept and perceive the benefits and advantages of implementing such technologies? How will the metaverse change business? Will metaverse change our working place and skills needed? How can companies get ahead of the change and mold it to their advantage? Will businesses use metaverse? Can metaverse create a more sustainable word? How can we make the metaverse better than what we have now? Is it going to affect environmental sustainability? Will it cause more severe climate problems, or would it be the solution? How can metaverse impact the achievements of SDGs?