The Guardian view on social media’s metaverse: it may remain science fiction | Editorial

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 ]

Other news stories related to: "The Guardian view on social media’s metaverse: it may remain science fiction | Editorial"


A Summary and Analysis of Isaac Asimov’s ‘Eyes Do More Than See’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) ‘Eyes Do More Than See’ is a very short story by Isaac Asimov (1920-92), which originally appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in April 1965. Background The story had a curious genesis. In 1964, Playboy magazine (which published... Continue reading at Interesting Literature

[ Interesting Literature | 2023-08-06 14:00:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this


8 of the Best New Science Fiction and Fantasy Books To Read in August 2023

These new science fiction and fantasy books out August 2023, including More Perfect by Temi Oh, deal with everything from ghosts to aliens to war machines. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-08-03 10:33:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


SFF eBooks On Sale Today for Under $5!

The best science fiction and fantasy book deals of the day, curated by Book Riot. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-31 13:37:54 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Octavia Butler Avenue Designated in Lake Forest Park, Wash.

City officials in Lake Forest Park, Wash., dedicated a section of 37th Avenue NE to science fiction and fantasy author Octavia E. Butler on July 29. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Best New Korean Literature In Translation

Here is the best new Korean literature in translation, from science fiction like Counterweight by Djuna and translated by Anton Hur to literary fiction, short stories, and poetry. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-27 10:30:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


When the Sensibility of Art Meets the Pragmatism of Science: A Conversation with Tlotlo Tsamaase, by Darlington Chibueze Anuonye

When the Sensibility of Art Meets the Pragmatism of Science: A Conversation with Tlotlo Tsamaase, by Darlington Chibueze Anuonye Interviews [email protected] Wed, 07/26/2023 - 15:13   Photo by Lorraine KinnearTlotlo Tsamaase’s science fiction... Continue reading at World Literature Today

[ World Literature Today | 2023-07-26 20:13:50 UTC ]
More news stories like this


SFF eBooks On Sale Today for $5 or Less!

The best science fiction and fantasy book deals of the day, curated by Book Riot. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-24 13:36:59 UTC ]
More news stories like this


7 Novels That Reveal Librarians Behind the Shelves

It isn’t unusual for libraries to feature prominently in novels; novelists, after all, are merely adult versions of the little people who fell in love with books at public libraries. But what of librarians? The keepers of the books, the ones who know you prefer romance, science fiction, or... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2023-07-20 11:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


10 of the Best Historical Science Fiction Books

History and science fiction collide in these historical science fiction books like Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente, where the future is retro and retro is the future. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-20 10:34:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


An A-Z Alphabet of Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors of Color

Looking to diversify your reading list? Then this alphabet of SFF authors of color is a great place to start! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-19 10:37:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


SFF eBooks On Sale Today for Under $5!

The best science fiction and fantasy book deals of the day, curated by Book Riot. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-17 13:53:44 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Rest is History: Andrew Ridker on Writing About the Recent Past

For years I refused to read historical fiction. It seemed to me that there was something artificial—dishonest, even—in summoning a time and place that hadn’t been experienced firsthand. I couldn’t see past the affected dialogue, the funny hats, and my suspicion that the author was making it all... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-07-12 08:51:46 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Christian Publishers Add More Sci-fi/Fantasy Titles

With more adults and young adults looking for faith-based science fiction and fantasy books, publishers are responding by expanding imprints and new titles. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


SFF eBooks On Sale Today for Under $5!

The best science fiction and fantasy book deals of the day, curated by Book Riot. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-10 14:20:58 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Searching for Intimacy in the Gig Economy

Kathleen Cheng is having a hell of a Saturn Return. The late-20s protagonist of Jenny Xie’s debut novel Holding Pattern has just been dumped by the man she thought she’d spend her life with. Unmoored and questioning, she drops out of her cognitive psychology graduate program on the East Coast... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2023-07-05 11:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


SFF eBooks On Sale Today for Under $5!

The best science fiction and fantasy book deals of the day, curated by Book Riot. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-03 14:54:55 UTC ]
More news stories like this


I love my Kindle even more than my iPhone. 4 reasons why

As someone who works in the tech field, I have a lot of gadgets hanging around the house. While I enjoy playing around with my custom-built theremin (yes it’s a real thing) or my embarrassingly decrepit iPhone, there’s one gadget that I always seem to reach for: my Kindle. I’m a... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-07-03 14:05:14 UTC ]
More news stories like this


'Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth' is a new game set between the two movies

Annapurna Interactive is developing a game based on the iconic science fiction film Blade Runner. The game’s set between the events of Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049, so you can get some closure as to what Deckard was doing before meeting up with Ryan Gosling in an abandoned casino or... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-06-29 19:38:28 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Care and Feeding of Magical Veterinarians

Here are 10 books that feature magical veterinarians in science fiction and fantasy settings, ranging from YA to adult books. Start with Super Extra Grande by Yoss, translated by David Frye. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-06-28 10:31:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Apple has posted the entire first episode of ‘Silo’ on Twitter

Apple is borrowing a marketing tactic from Twitter pirates. The company made the unusual move of uploading the entire first episode of its series Silo to the social platform, allowing anyone there to watch the opening installment for free. The gambit follows Twitter’s move to allow longer video... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-06-27 18:24:03 UTC ]
More news stories like this