Jaron Lanier is an American computer scientist, composer, visual artist, and author. He is often referred to as the father of Virtual Reality (VR), although he has distanced himself from this title. Here are some key points about his life and work:
- Birth: Born on May 3, 1960, in New York City.
- Education: Lanier studied at New Mexico State University but did not complete a degree. He has received numerous honorary doctorates from various institutions.
- Early Career:
- Co-founded VPL Research in 1984, which was the first company to sell VR products. VPL is credited with creating the first commercially available VR headsets.
- Developed the term "virtual reality" and introduced several concepts and technologies associated with it, including the Data Glove and the EyePhone.
- Philosophical Contributions:
- Lanier is known for his critique of Web 2.0 and the digital economy, particularly in his books like "You Are Not a Gadget" (2010) and "Who Owns the Future?" (2013).
- He argues against the notion of the "Singularity" and the idea that technology will eventually surpass human intelligence. Instead, he promotes a humanistic approach to technology.
- Advocates for Digital Humanism, emphasizing the importance of human value in a digital world.
- Current Roles:
- Other Contributions:
- Lanier has contributed to the field of Computer Music, developing new musical instruments and software.
- He has written several books and numerous articles on technology, philosophy, and society.
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