The online virtual reality experience that almost every tech giant today wishes to commercially exploit may not catch onIn the 1992 sci-fi dystopia Snow Crash, the author Neal Stephenson imagined a bleak 21st century where the collapse of the global economy had seen governments fall and their power replaced by a few giant businesses. The book is notable for prescience, anticipating the adoption of what was then seen as outlandish technologies like the wireless internet, cryptocurrencies and smartphones, as well as the rise of the gig economy. But it is the book’s prophetic vision of “the metaverse” that has revived interest in the work.That is because Stephenson described the online virtual reality experience that almost every tech giant today wishes to commercially exploit. Last October, Microsoft announced that users of its Teams online meetings app would be able to turn themselves into avatars – the term Stephenson popularised in Snow Crash – to encourage users into virtual interaction. Days later Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s founder, rebranded his company as Meta, with a focus on the potential for virtual worlds. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2022-02-07 19:11:48 UTC ]
A driverless air taxi to carry you over traffic in congested urban centers, ordered at the push of a button from your smartphone, may sound like science fiction, but Airbus believes it’s much closer to reality than you think. So close, in fact, that it hopes to test such a vehicle by the end of... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal
[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2016-08-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The author took to Twitter today to give an explanation for how to increase diversity in science fiction. It starts with publishing more writers of color. The post N.K. Jemisin Has a Plan for Diversity in Science Fiction appeared first on WIRED. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2016-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Many digital media businesses chase readers on the largest scale possible, all the better to attract advertisers that want to spread their messages widely. But big reach comes at a cost -- in quality, in resources -- that isn't always justified by the ad rates online.Unfortunately the niche game... Continue reading at Advertising Age
[ Advertising Age | 2016-07-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Gollancz, Orion's science fiction and fantasy imprint, is partnering with Foyles for the Gollancz Festival 2016. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-07-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As Facebook has taken on the mantle of content distributor, news publisher and story curator, the world's biggest social media company has ventured into the territory of traditional media companies. Such moves have helped Facebook attract users and advertising dollars -- but they have also... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-05-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Oprah has her book club. Mark Zuckerberg had his Year of Books. And Bill Gates has his annual reading lists — book recommendations shared each year by the Microsoft founder and philanthropist. Gates' 2016 list of summertime reads, complete with an animated video describing his picks, was released... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-05-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As Facebook has taken on the mantle of content distributor, news publisher and story curator, the world's biggest social media company has ventured into the territory of traditional media companies. Such moves have helped Facebook attract users and advertising dollars -- but they have also... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-05-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Easthampton, Mass., press is preparing to release an English language edition of what it is calling the world's first science fiction novel, 'The Chemical Wedding,' written in German in 1616. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-05-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The editors of the publication’s culture section have selected N.K. Jemisin’s 'The Fifth Season' as the first title to be read in the new group, which will focus on works of science fiction and fantasy. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-05-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Iain Pears’ Arcadia (Faber & Faber), a story that can be read either as a print book or an app, is in contention for this year’s Arthur C Clarke award for science fiction, along with novels by authors such as Becky Chambers and Nnedi Okorafor. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-04-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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It's more than fitting that the first posthumous video for a David Bowie song would depict a psychedelic shot through the cosmos. "I Can't Give Everything Away," a standout track from his final album, "Blackstar," gets a gentle lyric video that recalls vintage animation and science fiction, and... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook has created a video hub that will roll out in the coming weeks for its flagship mobile app. According to a TechCrunch story, a button for the hub will receive prominent placement in the Facebook app and often highlight live video—though it will offer recorded clips as well. ... Continue reading at AdWeek
[ AdWeek | 2016-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A show about the boundary-pushing art of radical Latin American women and another devoted to the science fiction of the Americas are just two of 43 exhibitions and events receiving $8.5 million in grants from the Getty Foundation as part of Pacific Standard Time: Los Angeles/Latin America,... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-03-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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During a keynote at Barcelona's Mobile World Congress, Zuckerberg also pledged his support for Apple in its battle with the government.As expected, Mark Zuckerberg was quick to support Apple in its ongoing standoff with the FBI during his keynote address Monday at the Mobile World Congress in... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2016-02-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nothing pains me quite as much as having to admit I might have been wrong about something. But news breaking last week may force me to reconsider my opinion of Dave Eggers' 2013 novel "The Circle."I don't think the book has gotten any better. The main character is still annoying and, worse, a... Continue reading at Advertising Age
[ Advertising Age | 2016-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Profiling an Internet phenomenon and its quirky creator, a few months into its existence.Facebook turned 12 today. It's been part of everyday life for long enough that an infinite number of articles have been published about its phenomenal success and the vision of its inventor and CEO, Mark... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2016-02-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The January 2016 selection of reviews from BlueInk Review includes a science fiction novel set in space and a children's picture book about families. The post January 2016: Top Reviews of Self-Published Books from BlueInk Review appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Gollancz is set to publish a sequel to H G Wells’ science fiction novel The War of the Worlds, written by Stephen Baxter. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-12-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The 15th edition of the media power list finds change in the air, with digital challengers elbowing aside older moguls – but a long way to go on diversity• Women on the rise, but much still to do on diversity• Your interactive guide to the MediaGuardian 100 Back in 2001, when this list was first... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-11-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Manuel Gil challenges assertions that Spain's book industry is diverse and competitive, calling them science fiction. The post On the “Virtual Unreality” of Publishing in Spain appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-11-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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