In the Land of the Unreal

More about the book

Focusing on the mid-2010s Los Angeles community, the book explores how storytellers and tech innovators viewed virtual reality as a potential "empathy machine" to address societal issues. Lisa Messeri examines the impact of movements like #MeToo and the challenges posed by the Trump administration, highlighting the community's belief that VR, especially when led by marginalized voices, could foster a better world. However, she critiques the notion that a singular VR experience can heal complex social realities, revealing the tension between idealism and the multifaceted nature of truth.