A sus 24 años, la vida de Ignacio se ha convertido en una rutina difícil de soportar; sin emociones y atrapado por una soledad que no le da tregua, vive cada día como esperando a que algo cambie. «Tengo que hacer algo diferente con mi vida» piensa. Un día recibe un extraño mensaje de una desconocida, que intenta ganarse su confianza y su amistad. «¿Será una estafa?» se pregunta Ignacio. Varios mensajes después, la misteriosa mujer lo invita a un lugar secreto en internet, con la excusa de que se encontrarán en un espacio más íntimo en donde podrán conocerse mejor. «Es sólo un chat. ¿Qué podría salir mal?». Ignacio ingresa entonces a rusticmetaverse.com y se sorprende al encontrarse en el mundo virtual más increíble que haya visitado jamás. Un metaverso secreto, creado con una tecnología que desafía todo lo que conoce. A medida que se adentra en este mundo, va descubriendo el verdadero objetivo de Rustic Metaverse y de quienes lo habitan. Nada es como él cree. Y lo que sería una inocente cita, comienza a transformarse en una pesadilla que amenaza su vida en el mundo real. Sin quererlo, Ignacio se verá arrastrado a una aventura que lo llevará a lugares remotos del sur de Chile, en una misión que podría cambiar su destino y el de toda la humanidad para siempre. Esta es la primera novela del periodista y escritor chileno José Fourt. Después de casi dos años escribiendo e investigando en diversos campos de la ciencia y la tecnología; el autor le dio vida a Rustic Metaverse. Una inolvidable novela de ciencia ficción y aventuras, que se anticipa a las posibles consecuencias que podrían tener las nuevas tecnologías. El autor presenta un escenario apocalíptico en donde los computadores cuánticos, la inteligencia artificial, la realidad virtual y el metaverso, podrían convertirse en la salvación de la humanidad... o en su perdición.

This book reviews Metaverse, the possibilities and difficulties of sustainable development, and policy suggestions, especially within the context of the 2030 Agenda. Green Metaverse for Greener Economies examines how the metaverse holds the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, whether through the replacement of physical goods with digital ones, the substitution of in-person interactions with virtual ones, or the creation of digital twins that will aid in the optimization of the physical world, from the planet to specific individuals thereby leading to sustainable world. The book includes a number of case studies, exploratory studies utilizing quantitative analysis, scientific studies, and qualitative studies to demonstrate how metaverse leading innovation and technology aids to achieve business sustainability in the emerging economies while also having an impact on the global economy (SDGs). This book will be useful for engineers, managers, and policy makers working on improving sustainability and reducing their carbon emissions through more energy-efficient processes. Features: Shares essential policy tools on innovation and technology for sustainable computing. Reviews metaverse, the possibilities and difficulties of sustainable development, and policy suggestions, especially within the context of the 2030 Agenda. Explores green technology concept, difficulties, and challenges ahead. Includes several case studies, exploratory studies utilizing quantitative analysis, scientific studies, and qualitative studies to demonstrate how metaverse leading innovation. Explores innovative technology in sustainable society like digital transformational, metaverse in business management, and innovative technology in healthcare.

The Metaverse: A Critical Introduction provides a clear, concise, and well-grounded introduction to the concept of the Metaverse, its history, the technology, the opportunities, the challenges, and how it is having an impact on almost every facet of society. The book serves as a stand-alone introduction to the Metaverse and as an introduction to the range of topics that will be covered by the specialist volumes in The Metaverse Series. Key Features: a concise history of the Metaverse idea and related implementations to date; an examination of what the Metaverse actually is; an introduction to the fundamental technologies used in the Metaverse; an overview of how the different uses and aspects of the Metaverse are having an impact on our lives across multiple disciplines and social contexts; a consideration of the opportunities and challenges of the evolving Metaverse; and a sense of how the Metaverse may mature over the coming decades. This book is a primer and Metaverse reader, drawing on academic research and practical and commercial experiences and taking inspiration from the science fiction origins and treatments of the Metaverse. The book explores the use of the increasing number of virtual worlds and proto-Metaverses which have existed since the late 1990s and includes a critical consideration of recent developments in cryptoworlds and mixed reality. The aim is to provide professional and lay readers, researchers, academics, and students with an indispensable guide to what counts as a metaverse, the opportunities and challenges, and how the future of the coming Metaverse can best be guided.

An in-depth and authoritative treatment of one of the most pressing topics of our time In Blockchain and Web3: Building the Cryptocurrency, Privacy, and Security Foundations of the Metaverse, two tech and finance experts deliver a comprehensive and accessible guide to the present and future of blockchain technology and how it will form the foundation of a new, better internet. To support a concept as bold as the Metaverse, we need several orders of magnitude more powerful computing capability, accessible at much lower latencies, across a multitude of devices and screens. You’ll discover how blockchain can accelerate data flow, exchange, and transactions to create and transfer value around the world and, at the same time, how it can be used to protect user data privacy and security with decentralized web infrastructures. The book also includes: Discussions of how sovereign governments are entering the blockchain fray and how their entry, especially with CBDC digital currency, shapes the conversations around Web3 Explorations of whether we will ever realize the holy grail of blockchain tech: interoperability to compete with Big Tech platforms Discussion of new security and privacy issues rising from the intersection of Blockchain, Web3 and Metaverse.A fascinating and eye-opening treatment of the past, present, and future of blockchain and the role it will play on the internet and metaverse, Blockchain and Web3 is a truly original and engaging discussion of a timely and critical topic.

Although virtual worlds continue to grow in popularity, a substantial amount of research is needed to determine best practices in virtual spaces. The artistic community is one field where virtual worlds can be utilized to the greatest effect. New Opportunities for Artistic Practice in Virtual Worlds provides a coherent account of artistic practices in virtual worlds and considers the contribution the Second Life platform has made in a historical, theoretical, and critical context within the fields of art and technology. This volume is intended for both artists and scholars in the areas of digital art, art and technology, media arts history, virtual worlds, and games studies, as well as a broader academic audience who are interested in the philosophical implications of virtual spaces.

Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE 2023), July 20–24, 2023, San Francisco, USA

From photographer Susan Kaufman, an intimate celebration of the beauty and charm of New York City For some people, New York City exists only in their imaginations, a big-screen beacon of wonder and twenty-four seven delight. For others, it’s a dream destination: the diverse urban center where they will finally feel they belong. And still for many, it’s the place they already call home. No matter how you view New York, longtime fashion editor and photographer Susan Kaufman will help you see the city with fresh, appreciative eyes. As she travels with her camera through New York, Susan Kaufman invites readers to see the city as she does: from the sidewalk. She explores the beauty of the city found in its charming townhouses, decorated shops, lovely parks, shop facades, and serene streetscapes. New York may be known as the city that never sleeps, but beneath the bustle, there’s a soulful side, with its own quiet power and universal allure. Walk with Me New York invites readers to appreciate the streets and buildings that have made the world’s most iconic city survive centuries of change yet retain its vitality and aspirational magnetism.