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W. W. Norton & Company

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: #68,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1 in Media Studies (Books) #22 in Communication & Media Studies #60 in Popular Culture in Social Sciences


#1 in Media Studies (Books):


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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
    • 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
    • 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
    • true to (contemporary) life
Format: Hardcover
This book gives readers a rich account of the way our addiction to screens is diminishing the richness of life--most conspicuously, social life, but also human life more generally. The book is productively counter-cultural. Rosen's writing is unobtrusively scholarly and the book is well-reasoned. But it is so true to everyday life that you might not notice its intellectual virtues. Rosen has carefully formulated the transformation of our daily experience that we have come to take for granted unwittingly. If my experience is any guide, you will become more self-aware as you read this book. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2025 by Jon G. Allen
    • 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
    • A very well-written warning
Format: Hardcover
I expect many readers of Rosen's book will find themselves nodding, as I did, as she elucidates the ideas many have had (perhaps vaguely, like me) about the mediated universe we live in--loving it and hating it, and often wondering what it is doing to us. Rosen makes it all clear. One of the saddest things I've seen recently was a young couple, maybe late twenties, walking down the street with a three-year-old between them, each of the adults holding a little hand. In the parents' other hands were smartphones, which they scanned as they walked. The poor kid hardly realized, I'll bet, that he was taking a walk by himself. But he will. Brace yourself, as you read Rosen's story about us, because you will see yourself. Therein lies the greatest value of this important work. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2024 by Darwin T.
    • This is one of the most valuable reads I have experienced!!
Format: Hardcover
I must say that I took the book out at the library and by page 14, I had 5 handwritten pages of notes. I ordered from Amazon and am underlining and making my own commenting on every page. Rosen has propped open our eyes to the unleashing of technology's pervasive impact on our lives. Most importantly, she has drawn our attention to the enormity of the changes that are occurring to our humanity by the subtle, indoctrination of screens and the impact on our senses. There must be a return to BEING in contact and in direct experience with the humans around us. A vital read for yourself and your offspring. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2025 by Christine M.

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