Audiobooks by Matthew Ball

The Metaverse: Building the Spatial Internet / Fully Revised and Updated Edition

In this fully revised and updated edition of his internationally best-selling book, pioneering theorist and entrepreneur Matthew Ball goes beyond the hype cycle to present a definitive account of the future of the internet. The Metaverse, according to Ball’s industry-shaping definition, is a persistent and interconnected network of 3D virtual worlds that will eventually serve as the gateway to most online experiences and underpin much of the physical world. As Ball recounts, the Metaverse is a thirty-year-old term, and the core ideas and technologies behind it have been in development for nearly a century. Only recently, however, did this fantastical concept begin to leap from the pages of science fiction and depths of national research labs to the forefront of consumer technology, industrial engineering, healthcare, education, dating, and more. From the history of video games and virtual reality to “proto-metaverses” such as Second Life, Fortnite, and Roblox to Generative AI and the groundbreaking films and television series of the Walt Disney Company, Ball points out that the Metaverse is already emerging around us (and doesn’t require a headset). Still, there are many breakthroughs required to fully realize the Metaverse, and he describes each in approachable but expert detail. Ball also lays out how governmental policy, the philosophy of Big Tech leaders, artificial general intelligence, economics, and human rights will shape the development of the Metaverse. Famous for his ability to bring clarity to complex and misunderstood topics, Ball demonstrates that the race to build the Metaverse—also known as the “spatial” or “immersive” internet—is only accelerating. The Metaverse will endure as an indispensable guide for enthusiasts, tech aficionados, and anyone curious about the profound transformations underway in our increasingly interconnected world. “Matthew is one of the most thoughtful writers about the future of computing. This edition captures a bunch of the breakthroughs we’re seeing across the industry, especially around the convergence of AI and the Metaverse.”—Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO, Meta

Matthew Ball (Author), Luis Moreno (Narrator)

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The Metaverse: And How it Will Revolutionize Everything

Apple Books: Most Anticipated Books of Summer 2022 Amazon: Editors' Choice in Nonfiction Fast Company: Selected Among 11 Best Technology Books of Summer 2022 Tim Sweeney (CEO of Fortnite-maker Epic Games): “Matthew Ball’s essays have defined, analyzed, and inspired the Metaverse for years. His book is an approachable and essential guide to the strategic, technical, and philosophical foundations of this new medium.” “This book feels like a rare achievement?a definitive statement about an emerging phenomenon that could shape the digital world, the global economy, and the very experience of human consciousness.” ?Derek Thompson, Atlantic staff writer and national best-selling author of Hit Makers From the leading theorist of the Metaverse comes the definitive account of the next internet: what the Metaverse is, what it will take to build it, and what it means for all of us. The term “Metaverse” is suddenly everywhere, from the front pages of national newspapers and the latest fashion trends to the plans of the most powerful companies in history. It is already shaping the policy platforms of the US government, the European Union, and the Chinese Communist Party. But what, exactly, is the Metaverse? As pioneering theorist and venture capitalist Matthew Ball explains, it is a persistent and interconnected network of 3D virtual worlds that will eventually serve as the gateway to most online experiences, and also underpin much of the physical world. For decades, these ideas have been limited to science fiction and video games, but they are now poised to revolutionize every industry and function, from finance and healthcare to education, consumer products, city planning, dating, and well beyond. Taking us on an expansive tour of the “next internet,” Ball demonstrates that many proto-Metaverses are already here, such as Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox. Yet these offer only a glimpse of what is to come. Ball presents a comprehensive definition of the Metaverse before explaining the technologies that will power it?and the breakthroughs that will be necessary to fully realize it. He addresses the governance challenges the Metaverse entails; investigates the role of Web3, blockchains, and NFTs; and predicts Metaverse winners and losers. Most importantly, he examines many of the Metaverse’s almost unlimited applications. The internet will no longer be at arm’s length; instead, it will surround us, with much of our lives, labor, and leisure taking place inside the Metaverse. Bringing clarity and authority to a frequently misunderstood concept, Ball foresees trillions of dollars in new value?and the radical reshaping of society.

Matthew Ball (Author), Luis Moreno (Narrator)

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