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The Extinction of Experience: Being Human in a Disembodied World

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Description

An Esquire Best Book of 2024 A reflective, original invitation to recover and cultivate the human experiences that have atrophied in our virtual world.We embraced the mediated life―from Facetune and Venmo to meme culture and the Metaverse―because these technologies offer novelty and convenience. But they also transform our sense of self and warp the boundaries between virtual and real. What are the costs? Who are we in a disembodied world?In The Extinction of Experience, Christine Rosen investigates the cultural and emotional shifts that accompany our embrace of technology. In warm, philosophical prose, Rosen reveals key human experiences at risk of going extinct, including face-to-face communication, sense of place, authentic emotion, and even boredom. Considering cultural trends, like TikTok challenges and mukbang, and politically unsettling phenomena, like sociometric trackers and online conspiracy culture, Rosen exposes an unprecedented shift in the human condition, one that habituates us to alienation and control. To recover our humanity and come back to the real world, we must reclaim serendipity, community, patience, and risk. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company


Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 10, 2024


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393241718


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 16


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.3 x 1 x 9.4 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #27,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #5 in Social Sciences (Books) #22 in Communication & Media Studies #35 in Popular Culture in Social Sciences


#5 in Social Sciences (Books):


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Oct 31 – Nov 1

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Lyrical and humane
Format: Hardcover
What a fabulous book. Without a hint of preachiness but rather examples, questions, and compelling nudges to reflect, this book walks us through all that we are on the cusp of losing as we prioritize a frictionless, isolated, place-less world where everything is connected to through devices and in highly mediated ways. As someone who has primarily focused my energy on managing my teen's device usage, I have also been grieving the loss of embodied living. This captured so many ideas and considerations for adults and future adults in the most loving, human and persuasive manner. Christine Rosen wants the best for us all as human beings - that was evident in her writing. I wish every parent, every adult and perhaps every young adult was being asked to read, reflect and ponder what is touched on in this terrific book. Friction in the world is what makes for beauty, learning, struggle, heartache and joy. What are humans without that friction and why are we so concerned with removing all friction? More importantly, why have we put all the power around that into the hands of a very powerful few heading up 'technology'? Seminal book- will buy several copies for friends to enjoy. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2025 by Ahhling

  • Worthwhile Reading
Format: Hardcover
A well-written, well-researched summary of things we all know and accept without considering the implications. As technology companies attempt to engineer and monetize our every experience, we willingly sacrifice our privacy and independence in search of on-line ego fulfillment. I give this book only 4 stars because the author’s conclusion seems to be a call for government regulation of these technologies rather than a suggestion that we each make an independent choice to put down our phones and take a walk in the real world. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2024 by TomTommyC

  • TREMENDOUS!!!
Format: Hardcover
I heard the author guest host on one of my fav podcasts, Ink Stained Wretches, and her new book was discussed. I bought two copies, I like to give books away. I read the book today and it is tremendous! I read these kinds of books in this mode: I read intro and then conclusion - if the author can't get me there, I abandon. If I'm in, I pick one more chapter that looks good from the index. If that one gets me, too, I read the whole thing. This book had me at hello and Christine Rosen does an excellent job making her argument. It challenges my worldview and is making me think, which is what great books do. It's a must read, great for anyone, not least leaders at work trying to get put meaning into their missions at work. Well done, Christine!! Thank you for creating this important book! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2024 by Mike Kelly

  • compelling
Format: Kindle
A well-written analysis of how our headlong plunge into the world of ubiquitous technology comes with a price. In too many cases, we’ve traded personal, human experience for technological efficiency. Without being a scold, the author made me think about that trade.
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2025 by Pixleman

  • An Important Book
Format: Kindle
Read it, without technological biases! This is an important work, which unfortunately has been slighted by too many reviewers. Whatever its shortcomings, and, as with most any book, it has a few, its basic premise is extremely important. In this internet-mediated age, we need to sense and appreciate true reality. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2025 by Tim Smith

  • Fantastic
Format: Hardcover
Adored this book. Related so, so much. It's so carefully written — almost in every paragraph there are mentions of scholarly work on psychology, sociology and related fields, yet the books is eminently readable, almost a beach read. So easy to absorb all of it, because — like every good book — it verbalizes things most of us have only as vague notions in our heads. Found myself nodding, underlining, and tabbing a lot. THANK YOU! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2025 by MPet

  • Thought Provoking Read
Format: Kindle
Great analysis but feel like it is missing in some counter arguments. Made me feel like I should be putting down the book and interacting more every time I picked it up.
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2025 by Sean R Kaiser

  • Our old-fashioned teachers were right after all.
A very important book.
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2025 by JWRjr

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