Virtual America traces the complex relationship between Americans, technology, and their environment as it has unfolded over the past several centuries. Throughout history Americans have constructed mental pictures of unique places, such as the American West, that have taken on more authority than the actual gritty landscapes. This disconnect from reality is magnified by the new world of virtual realities on the computer screen, where personal immersion in interactive simulations becomes the "default" environment. ...
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Virtual America traces the complex relationship between Americans, technology, and their environment as it has unfolded over the past several centuries. Throughout history Americans have constructed mental pictures of unique places, such as the American West, that have taken on more authority than the actual gritty landscapes. This disconnect from reality is magnified by the new world of virtual realities on the computer screen, where personal immersion in interactive simulations becomes the "default" environment. Virtual America identifies the connections (or lack thereof) between our individual selves, an American identity, and the geography "out there." John Opie examines what he calls First Nature (the natural world), Second Nature (metropolitan infrastructure/built environment), and Third Nature (virtual reality in cyberspace). He also explores how Americans have historically dreamed about a better life in daily, ordinary existence and then fulfilled it through the Engineered America of our built environment, the Consumer America of material well-being, and the Triumphal America of our conviction that we are the world's exceptional model. But these dream worlds have also encouraged placelessness and thus indifference to our dwelling in home ground. Finally, Opie explores Last Nature (a sense of place) and argues that when we identify an authentic place, we can locate authenticity of self--a reification of place and self--by their connectedness.
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Add this copy of Virtual America to cart. $13.50, very good condition, Sold by The Haunted Bookshop rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Iowa City, IA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by University of Nebraska Press.
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Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket in Near Fine jacket. Crisp, bright, and clean; no owners' marks; except for almost unnoticeable shelf rubbing at the spine heel of hard cover and dust jacket and a line of mild sunning at the spine of the jacket, as new.
Add this copy of Virtual America: Sleepwalking Through Paradise to cart. $15.00, like new condition, Sold by Argosy Book Store rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from New York, NY, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by University of Nebraska Press.
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Fine in fine jacket. Frontispiece, black & white illustrations. 8vo, green cloth with gilt lettering at the spine, pictorial d.w. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, (2008). A fine copy in a fine dust wrapper.
Add this copy of Virtual America: Sleepwalking Through Paradise to cart. $21.19, very good condition, Sold by Midtown Scholar Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Harrisburg, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by University of Nebraska Press.
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New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 280 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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