Virtual Worlds

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Turn passive screen time into an educational STEM adventure that reveals the fascinating science behind virtual reality. Perfect for family road trips or curious quiet time, this playful audio journey explains how clever tricks of sight, sound, and motion convince the human brain it has stepped...

Explore the brutal global history of how maritime trade routes transformed into ruthless empires that reshaped our world. Perfect for an intellectual commute, this thought-provoking narrative skips dry dates to reveal the economic forces and human struggles behind five centuries of conquest...

Master immersive virtual reality technology and explore boundless digital worlds without needing a tech degree. Perfect for your daily commute, this accessible guide turns complex gadgetry into exciting, easy-to-grasp concepts. Satisfy your curious mind and confidently navigate the booming...

Discover the thrilling tech history of digital worlds, where visionary engineers battled hardware limits to bend reality. Perfect for an engaging daily commute, this thought-provoking journey explores our deep psychological drive for complete immersion and human connection. Fuel your curiosity...

Unlock the hidden world of botany and turn everyday nature walks into vibrant explorations of plant ecology. Whether you are unwinding in your backyard or seeking a relaxing, curious listen for your morning commute, this lively guide decodes the secret language of the garden. See the outdoors...

Transform your outdoor space and master insect ecology with this relaxing, beginner-friendly guide to metamorphosis. Whether you are enjoying a peaceful morning walk or looking for a mindful weekend hobby, you will learn to observe these winged wonders with deep appreciation. Experience an...

Uncover the thrilling popular science history of how brilliant inventors conquered darkness to build the modern world. Perfect for your daily commute, this engaging historical journey transports you from the smoky, fire-lit nights of the past into the high-energy laboratories of the nineteenth...

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...

Discover the immersive narrative history of forgotten pioneers who reshaped our modern world before being erased. Perfect for your daily commute or a deep-focus listening session, this eye-opening journey exposes the powerful gatekeepers who silenced ordinary heroes. You will traverse continents...

Embark on a thrilling children's science adventure to the frozen ends of Earth, discovering wildlife and polar habitats. Perfect for family road trips or interactive homeschooling, this playful auditory journey transports young explorers to the icy landscapes of the North and South Poles...

Silence a restless mind at bedtime with soothing geography trivia designed to conquer insomnia and induce deep sleep. Let go of racing thoughts as you drift through a calm, unhurried landscape of slow-moving facts and mild relaxation audio. This quiet journey offers the perfect sleep aid for...

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.

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...