by Jaron Lanier
First published 2019
Jaron Lanier charts his path from childhood in New Mexico's UFO country to becoming virtual reality's founding father. He weaves together personal memoir with scientific exploration, moving from early tragedy through his mother's death to launching his first startup and achieving recognition as a technology visionary. Lanier treats virtual reality as both scientific breakthrough and cultural phenomenon, arguing it represents a humanistic approach to technology. Unlike his previous critiques of social media, here he champions VR's potential to enrich human experience. The book combines autobiography with science writing, philosophy, and practical guidance. Lanier examines how virtual reality illuminates human nature while bridging the divide between technological enthusiasm and bodily experience. He positions VR as a tool that can deepen rather than diminish our humanity, offering readers fresh insight into how mind and body relate to the world during an era of extraordinary technological change.
Genres: science, autobiography, computers, non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: memoir, personal-journey
Setting: New Mexico, UFO Country
Period: 21st Century
464 pages · Paperback · Debate