Herman Narula

virtual-society

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more

source_10558

By signing up, I confirm that I'm over 16. To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our <a href="/company/about-us/notices/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a>

Keep an eye out for a confirmation in your inbox

Stories, ideas and giveaways to help you spark young imaginations

source_10972

The latest books, activities and tips to help you grow little readers

source_10975

About us

About Us (Header 4)

john-le-carre-a-legacy-of-spies-960-2.jpg

Margaret Atwood

Richard Osman

Malorie Blackman

George Orwell

marian_keyes_mobile_320x200px.png

Elif Shafak

shonfaye

Authors (Header 3)

Books (Header 2)

Company

Features (Header 1)

Penguin Shop (Header 5)

Useful links

Virtual Society

A fascinating, provocative case that the metaverse will not merely transform our virtual experiences - it may actually enrich the quality of our lives

Adam Grant, no. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again

Brimming with big and convincing arguments about where human life is heading.

Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO, Thrive

This mind-expanding, vitally important book blows through superficial takes

Marc Andreessen, cofounder and general partner, Andreessen Horowitz

The Metaverse and the New Frontiers of Human Experience

Brought to you by Penguin. 
 
Is the metaverse a brave new world? An immersive digital playground? The next generation of online gaming? Or just the latest manifestation of our human tendency to create other realities? 
 
Herman Narula argues that it is all of these things. His vision of the metaverse, deeply rooted in history and psychology, looks to the Egyptians, whose conception of death inspired them to build the pyramids, to modern-day sports fans whose fantasy leagues are as competitive as the real thing, and finds that humanity has always sought to supplement our day-to-day lives with a rich diversity of alternative immersive experiences. 
 
Rigorously researched, passionately argued, and written by a tech founder and creator of digital worlds, Virtual Society reveals why the metaverse offers a new universe of ideas that offers users unprecedented opportunities to create, explore and find meaning. It's an essential guide for anyone who wants to get beyond superficial headlines and understand the true shape of our virtual future. 
 
©2022 Herman Narula(P)2022 Penguin Audio

Herman Narula is the co-founder and CEO of Improbable, a London-based technology company. He has been featured by Wired, Financial Times, CNBC, The Economist, New Statesman, Bloomberg and more. His TED Talk, The Transformative Power of Video Games has been viewed over 1.8m times.

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 Meta and other companies 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, 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. Repositioning the metaverse as the growing set of fulfilling digital experiences, Narula shows the arrival of the metaverse marks the beginning of a new age of exploration with the potential to reshape society.

Virtual Society

Select a format:

Retailers:

Summary

Reviews

About the author

Herman Narula

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter