{"title":"Jaron Lanier","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our collection of works by \u003cem\u003eJaron Lanier\u003c\/em\u003e, a visionary thinker and one of the pioneers in the field of virtual reality. Known for his insightful and provocative views on technology, Lanier offers unique perspectives that challenge conventional wisdom. His groundbreaking books, such as \u003cem\u003eTen Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eYou Are Not A Gadget\u003c\/em\u003e, dive deep into the complexities of the digital age and its impact on humanity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eTen Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now\u003c\/em\u003e, Lanier makes a compelling case for why disengaging from social media can lead to a healthier, more fulfilling life. He addresses the many ways social media can be detrimental to our personal well-being and collective societal health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eYou Are Not A Gadget\u003c\/em\u003e, Lanier challenges the notion that technology inherently improves our lives. He argues for the preservation of individuality in an increasingly digital world, urging us to think critically about the tools we use and the information we consume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJaron Lanier's works are essential reading for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and society. Explore this collection to gain a deeper understanding of the digital world we live in and inspire meaningful conversations about our technological future.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ten-arguments-for-deleting-your-social-media-accounts-right-now","title":"Ten Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTen Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now\u003c\/em\u003e by Jaron Lanier offers a compelling and insightful exploration into the pervasive influence of social media on our lives. Through this timely manifesto, Lanier, a celebrated Silicon Valley pioneer and critic, delves into how these platforms are steering us towards sadness, anger, isolation, and tribal thinking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLanier breaks down his argument into ten distinct reasons, each illustrating the adverse effects of social media on individual well-being and societal health. He articulates how the very design of these platforms monetises our attention by exploiting our psychological vulnerabilities, pushing us towards addictive behaviours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith his signature wit and urgency, Lanier not only highlights the problems but also envisions a healthier digital future. By encouraging readers to step away from the toxic influence of social media, he argues that we can reclaim our happiness, empathy, and overall good mental health. The book doesn’t just aim to persuade; it provides a roadmap for meaningful change, advocating for a rethink of our relationship with technology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTen Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now\u003c\/em\u003e features a new afterword by the author, where Lanier reflects on the evolving landscape of social media and its continually unfolding implications. This updated insight further enriches the conversation about the urgent need for digital reform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"A blisteringly good, urgent, essential read\" - Zadie Smith\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book has been described as an \"informed, heartfelt and often entertaining ... a timely reminder that even if we can't bring ourselves to leave social media altogether, we should always think critically about how it works,\" by the \u003cem\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMatthew d'Ancona, author of \u003cem\u003ePost-Truth\u003c\/em\u003e, calls it \"Indispensable. Everyone who wants to understand the digital world, its pitfalls and possibilities should read this book - now.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLanier’s work prompts not just reflection but action, making it an indispensable read for anyone engaged with the digital world. In an era dominated by social media, \u003cem\u003eTen Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now\u003c\/em\u003e is more relevant than ever, urging us to consider the profound impact these platforms have on our daily lives and collective consciousness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45646197784812,"sku":"9781529112405","price":22.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781529112405.jpg?v=1724709755"},{"product_id":"you-are-not-a-gadget","title":"You Are Not A Gadget","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eYou Are Not a Gadget\u003c\/em\u003e, Jaron Lanier, a pioneer in virtual reality and a recognised digital guru, embarks on a profound exploration into the impact of the digital revolution on our lives. At the heart of this book lies Lanier's critical examination of how the rapidly evolving digital world has altered our perception of individuality, creativity, and human interaction. By delving into the subtleties of emerging platforms and social networks, he questions whether these advancements have truly enriched our lives or simply diluted the depth and authenticity of personal expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLanier argues that somewhere around the turn of the twenty-first century, a pivotal shift occurred. What was once considered the wisdom of the crowd began to overshadow genuine individual creativity. Social networks, which promised to provide unparalleled opportunities for self-expression, ironically left many feeling more voiceless than ever before. Lanier asks whether this has to be the inevitable trajectory of our future and offers an impassioned plea for a path that honours individuality over conformism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou Are Not a Gadget\u003c\/em\u003e shines a light on the issues that arise when technology stifles personal interaction and inventiveness. It presents a compelling case for reclaiming the human element in an increasingly mechanised world. Lanier reveals the risks of allowing our digital lives to shape and sometimes limit our human experiences. He discusses how modern tools and platforms often reduce our identities to mere gadgets, overshadowing the rich complexities that make us uniquely human.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is more than a critique; it's a visionary manifesto that challenges the status quo. It invites readers to rethink the role of technology in their lives and to envision a future where technology serves humanity, not the other way around. Lanier champions a return to a more humane and individual-centric digital experience, encouraging an environment where personal creativity and genuine human connections can thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePoetic and prophetic, this insightful work has been hailed as potentially the most important book of the year by \u003cem\u003eThe Times\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eYou Are Not a Gadget\u003c\/em\u003e serves as a provocative wake-up call, urging us to defend the essence of what makes us human in an age where the lines between man and machine are increasingly blurred. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, society, and individuality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45658484867308,"sku":"9780141049113","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780141049113.jpg?v=1724853411"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/jaron-lanier.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}