The first book for the general reader on the revolutionary technology of computer-generated artificial worlds--virtual reality. Rheingold weaves the philosophical, psychological, social, and economic implications of this fast-breaking research into a narrative that reaches back to cave paintings and forward to the 21st century where it will affect our daily lives.
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This is a good foundation for some of the early work in this field. It is a bit of a time-trip right now. It is worth re-reading because of things going on in virtual worlds right now. Rheingold is a little too damn happy about technology but it is an informative and entertaining book.
This is an excellent account of early work and research into VR. The astonishing thing from today's perspective is just how much was done in the 50s to the 80s. There is not much that wasn't attempted or at least contemplated. They just didn't have the computing power. Now we do. Its gonna be ... awesome.
I have another paperback edition. Not this one. Not on the list. The print is so tiny it is almost unreadable. This is very shoddy. Would have got a 1 for poor production quality. since I could not possibly have recommended it. Just as well its not on the list. Buyer beware.
This book covers the historical development of virtual reality from the origin by Sutherland to developments in the late 1980s. The book also give insight into the cognitive transformation which virtual reality will bring to mankind. I recommend this book as a first teaching book in the study of a VR.