In the Land of the Unreal

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Focusing on the vibrant Los Angeles community of storytellers and tech innovators in the mid-2010s, the book explores their belief in virtual reality as an "empathy machine" capable of addressing societal issues. Lisa Messeri examines how this vision emerged amidst significant social movements and political turmoil, particularly emphasizing the role of women and marginalized voices. She critiques the idealistic notion that a singular VR experience can unify diverse social realities, arguing that technology cannot alone dismantle entrenched systemic inequalities related to gender and race.