Virtual Worlds

Virtual reality is genuine reality; that’s the central thesis of Reality+. In a highly original work of “technophilosophy,” David J. Chalmers gives a compelling analysis of our technological future. He argues that virtual worlds are not second-class worlds, and that we can live a meaningful life in virtual reality. We may even be in a virtual world already.

HBR's Emotional Intelligence series features smart, essential listening on the human side of professional life from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Each book in the series offers proven research showing how our emotions impact our work lives, practical advice for managing difficult people and situations, and inspiring essays on what it means to tend to our emotional well-being at work.

What happens when you suddenly find yourself in a reality of untold possibilities, in a place where technology and magic are indistinguishable? Every game location is a transformed physical world connected to others through an interstellar network of portals. Every player "avatar" is a living physical body with incredible survival traits. Once in this dreamscape, it would be unwise to not seize the moment! There are, however, a couple of catches.

When your new employer tasks you with investigating the first successful mass shooting in twelve years, it’s understandable to be nervous. Fortunately, detective-in-training Cowan Soto has a Personal Brain Assistant—a cybernetic implant—that allows him to firewall pesky emotions like worry and guilt and redact memories of bullet-riddled corpses. Unfortunately, Cowan soon learns it was his suspect’s PBA which allowed a ruthless hacker to puppet her into a shooting rampage.

In a world where billions now live, work, play, and build relationships in immersive digital realms, the law has been left behind. Virtual worlds—metaverses, persistent online universes, and augmented realities—have become vibrant economies, social spaces, and new frontiers of human experience. Yet today, users often possess no meaningful rights: platforms can delete avatars, seize virtual property, harvest biometric data, or silence dissent at will, while monopolistic giants dominate the landscape and unchecked harms flourish in a digital Wild West.

The year is 2245, and the world has undergone explosive growth in multiple industries. The age of Virtual Reality came long ago, opening up new fields for people to enjoy and seek employment. There were even those that chose to sacrifice their physical bodies, becoming digital existences that lived within Internet communities. But with the age of VR, everyone still dreamed of that next step, the next level of adventure.

NEW YORK TIMES bestseller 2005: Welcome to NoCal and SoCal, the uneasy sister-states of what used to be California. The millennium has come and gone, leaving in its wake only stunned survivors. In Los Angeles, Berry Rydell is a former armed-response rentacop now working for a bounty hunter...

Based on news reports, you might think there's a major cybersecurity threat every four to five months. In reality, there's a cybersecurity attack happening every minute of every day. In Cyber Crisis, Eric Cole gives listeners a clear-eyed picture of the information war raging in cyberspace. Drawing on 30 years of experience, Cole offers practical, actionable advice that even those with little technical background can implement, including steps to take on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to protect their businesses and themselves.

Master ethical hacking and cybersecurity defense to transform vulnerabilities into unbreakable digital fortresses. Perfect for your daily commute, this empowering audio journey shifts your mindset from passive user to proactive guardian. You will learn to navigate the cyber underworld with...

AudioLearn’s Business School Crash Course series presents Marketing in the Virtual World. Written by distinguished professors and professionally narrated for easy listening, this crash course is a valuable tool both during school and when preparing for exams, or if you’re simply interested in the subject of social and digital marketing.

Embark on an epic world history adventure where ancient trade routes clash with empires to forge global connection. Perfect for transforming your daily commute into an immersive journey across Eurasia, this narrative reveals how fragile paths conquered harsh landscapes. Travel alongside the...

Escape the trap of linear problem-solving and master systems thinking to conquer complex organizational challenges. Whether you are navigating messy team dynamics or unwinding after a stressful workday, this calm, pragmatic guide transforms abstract theory into an empowering, everyday habit...

Entrepreneurs often suffer from "superhero syndrome" - the misconception that to be successful, they must do everything themselves. They are not only the boss but also the salesperson, HR manager, copywriter, operations manager, online marketing guru, and so much more. It's no wonder so many people give up the dream of starting a business - it's just too much for one person to handle. But outsourcing expert and "Virtual CEO" Chris Ducker knows how you can get the help you need with resources you can afford.

Uncover a sweeping cultural history of global power by following the hidden past of an everyday game of chance. From ancient desert caravans to glittering modern casinos, these painted slips of paper became a universal language of risk and imagination. This evocative journey transforms a...

A heartbreaking and moving story about a daughter’s quest to discover the truth about her father’s hidden past Ada Sibelius is raised by David, a single father and head of a computer science lab in Boston. Homeschooled, she accompanies her loving father—brilliant, eccentric, socially...

Equip curious children with powerful problem-solving frameworks to navigate school, friendships, and daily decisions. Perfect for a family road trip or morning commute, this playful educational guide transforms abstract psychology into relatable everyday adventures. Sibling rivalries, homework...

Experience the epic ancient history of how a tiny settlement conquered the world before collapsing under its own weight. Perfect for your daily commute, this dramatic narrative plunges you directly into the fierce political intrigue and brutal warfare of the Mediterranean. Transform your...

Plunge into paleo-fiction survival as ten cinematic short stories capture the fiery apocalypse of the Cretaceous world. Perfect for a gripping commute or an immersive evening escape, this haunting audio journey shifts from primal animal instincts to vast cosmic perspectives. Witness ash falling...

Journey through the hidden history of mathematics to uncover how ancient human ingenuity transformed chaos into order. Perfect for your morning commute, this mind-expanding exploration reveals how tracking grain and taxes birthed the foundation of modern civilization. Whether you are seeking a...

Master the hidden physics shaping our everyday world without drowning in complex equations or confusing science jargon. Whether you are upgrading your mental toolkit during a daily commute or nurturing a curious mind, this friendly audio experience transforms how you view reality. Say goodbye to...