A fascinating exploration of the history, development, and future of virtual reality, a technology with world-changing potential, written by award-winning journalist and author David Ewalt, stemming from his 2015 Forbes cover story about the Oculus Rift and its creator Palmer Luckey. You’ve heard about virtual reality, seen the new gadgets, and read about how VR will be the next big thing. But you probably haven’t yet realized the extent to which this technology will change the way we live. We used to be bound to a physical reality, but new immersive computer simulations allow us to escape our homes and bodies. Suddenly anyone can see what it’s like to stand on the peak of Mount Everest. A person who can’t walk can experience a marathon from the perspective of an Olympic champion. And why stop there? Become a dragon and fly through the universe. But it’s not only about spectacle. Virtual and augmented reality will impact nearly every aspect of our lives—commerce, medicine, politics—the applications are infinite. It may sound like science fiction, but this vision of the future drives billions of dollars in business and is a top priority for such companies as Facebook, Google, and Sony. Yet little is known about the history of these technologies. In Defying Reality, David M. Ewalt traces the story from ancient amphitheaters to Cold War military laboratories, through decades of hype and failure, to a nineteen-year-old video game aficionado who made the impossible possible. Ewalt looks at how businesses are already using this tech to revolutionize the world around us, and what we can expect in the future. Writing for a mainstream audience as well as for technology enthusiasts, Ewalt offers a unique perspective on VR. With firsthand accounts and on-the-ground reporting, Defying Reality shows how virtual reality will change our work, our play, and the way we relate to one another.

A novel about one of the preoccupations of our age, fame and celebrity culture. Serena Dawlish is the most famous soap star of them all. When she appears on the small screen in 'Coombe Ridge Crescent' the nation comes to a standstill. But her agent Gareth has told her that although she is famous she isn't quite famous enough and so she begins her pursuit of total and permanent fame.Serena meets and falls in love with the strange but well-hung Marlon who tells her -- and can prove scientifically -- that she is an alien. She wants to leave her husband and marry him but Gareth vetoes their affair. Marlon isn't a politician, a pop star or a footballer so he will do nothing for her career and anyway his mother, Shelley, is too fat to look good in the wedding photos. Meanwhile Serena's husband, the renowned Shakespearian actor James Marlborough, is also tormented by his own emotional dilemma. He wants to leave Serena - he can no longer stand the smell of her fake tan -- and be with his mistress, Geraldine, who calls him Rover when they make love. But most of his audience now only come to see him because he's married to the celebrated Serena Dawlish -- why else would they want to see Shakespeare? If he leaves her he destroys his career.Geraldine is presenting a new prime-time TV show called 'I Gave Birth To A Celebrity' with Serena as the surprise celebrity on the first show. However, as Geraldine has decided that Serena's real mother is too boring to play the part of mother she has secretly replaced her with Shelley. Will Shelley's revelations on the show seal Serena's quest for fame or will they ruin her forever?

Organized crime is now a major threat to all industrial and non-industrial countries. Using an inter-disciplinary and comparative approach this book examines the nature of this threat. By analysing the existing, official institutional discourse on organized crime it examines whether or not it has an impact on perceptions of the threat and on the reality of organized crime. The book first part of the book explores both the paradigm and the rationale of policy output in the fight against organized crime, and also exposes the often ‘hidden’ internal assumptions embedded in policy making. The second part examines the perceptions of organized crime as expressed by various actors, for example, the general public in the Balkans and in Japan, the criminal justice system in USA and circles within the international scientific community. Finally, the third part provides an overall investigation into the realities of organized crime with chapters that survey its empirical manifestations in various parts of the world. This book will be of interest to students and scholars of international relations, criminology, security studies and practitioners.

"Chronicles of Temporal Discovery" invites you to traverse the corridors of time in a spellbinding tale where the past, present, and future intertwine in an intricate dance. At the heart of this riveting narrative lies the enigmatic Key of Chronos ‒ a mysterious artifact that thrusts our protagonist, Evelyn, into the profound mysteries of time travel. As Evelyn grapples with the potentials and pitfalls of the time-travel device, the story unfolds with each chapter. From her ventures into significant historical events to poignant encounters with future selves, she faces ethical dilemmas that reverberate through the cosmic tapestry. Yet, the journey is not without adversaries; the introduction of the Time Police adds a layer of tension, turning the exploration of time into a high-stakes venture. The narrative takes unexpected turns, exploring the paradoxes of time and delving into the intricacies of love that transcend epochs. Parallel universes open up infinite possibilities, while political machinations in a society controlling time travel add a layer of complexity to Evelyn's quest. Yet, as Evelyn pushes the boundaries of temporal manipulation, the toll on her health and sanity becomes evident. Temporal sickness becomes a haunting specter, leading her to a transformative journey within herself, where the echoes of past actions come to the forefront. The climactic confrontation approaches, where Evelyn must face the ultimate challenge ‒ a showdown that decides the very fate of time itself. Will she emerge triumphant against a malevolent force seeking to disrupt the cosmic dance, or will the delicate threads of time unravel into chaos? "Chronicles of Temporal Discovery" is a mesmerizing tapestry woven with adventure, romance, ethical quandaries, and the inexorable march of time. Join Evelyn on an epic exploration through the ages, where the discovery of the Key of Chronos is only the beginning of an enthralling journey that will leave you questioning the nature of existence itself. Dive into this gripping tale and be prepared for a temporal odyssey like no other.

Earth’s climate is changing—it always has and always will. The cause may be debated, but “man-made global warming” has become the accepted narrative and “Big Oil” the popular villain. Anyone daring to challenge this “consensus” is attacked: smeared, demonized as a “denier,” even threatened. Researchers who refuse to toe the line are discredited, dismissed as incompetent, and blacklisted, regardless of their expertise, experience, or credentials. This is not how science is conducted. But not everyone can be silenced. The author of this book is not incompetent. Nor was he paid to write it. He’s just someone who cares about the truth: a scientist, with a broad understanding of how Earth’s climate works and how it has changed over time. His book is divided into two parts: science and ideology. The first part explains (in language laypersons can understand) how the Sun, cosmic rays, and other natural factors control Earth’s climate, and why carbon dioxide is virtually irrelevant. The second part exposes and refutes the green ideology of “man-made global warming,” revealing the economic damage it causes. It may be short, but it’s well researched, packed with information, and an enjoyable, rewarding read.

Les arrels del realisme màgic en els escrits de Borges i altres autors d'Amèrica Llatina han estat àmpliament reconeguts i ben documentades produint una sèrie d'estudis crítics, molts dels quals figuren en la bibliografia d'aquest treball. Dins d'aquest marc, aquest llibre presenta als lectors una varietat d'escriptores de grups ètnics, conegudes i menys conegudes, i les col·loca en un context literari en el que es tracten tant a nivell individual com a escriptores així com a nivell col·lectiu com a part d'un moviment artístic més ampli. Aquest llibre és el resultat del treball realitzat a les universitats de Sheffield i la de València i representa una valuosa investigació i una important contribució als estudis literaris.

Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism is increasingly influencing the shape of the world from business and politics to achieving personal goals. Here, Leonard Peikoff—Rand’s heir—explains how you can communicate philosophical ideas with conviction, logic, and, most of all, reason. Based on a series of lectures presented by Peikoff, Objective Communication shows how to apply Objectivist principles to the problem of achieving clarity both in thought and in communication. Peikoff teaches readers how to write, speak, and argue on the subject of philosophical ideas—ideas pertaining to profoundly important issues ranging from the question of the existence of God to the nature and proper limits of government power. Including enlightening discussions of a wide range of Objectivist topics—such as the primacy of consciousness, the pitfalls of rationalistic thinking, and the true meaning of the word “altruism,” as well as in-depth analysis of some of Ayn Rand’s own writings—Peikoff’s Objective Communication is essential reading for anyone interested in Ayn Rand’s philosophy.