The 360° Gaze

A comprehensive study of the pervasive role of immersion and immersive media in postmodern culture, from a humanities and social sciences perspective.

Virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and other modes of digitally induced immersion herald a major cultural and economic shift in society. Most academic discussions of immersion and immersive media have focused on the technological aspects. In The 360° Gaze, Christian Stiegler takes a humanities and social science approach, emphasizing the human implications of immersive media in postmodern culture. Examining characteristics common to all immersive experiences, he uncovers dominant metaphors, such as the rabbit hole, and prevailing ideologies. He raises fundamental questions about opportunities and risks associated with immersion, as well as the potential effects on individuals, communities, and societies.Acknowledgments vii
Ready Player One: Immersion, Postmodernism, and Liquidity 1
1 Rabbit Holes 13
2 Beyond the Mediation 55
3 Intermedia Immersions 103
4 Sociocultural Immersions 161
5 In Limbo 221
Notes 233
References 275
Index 297“Stiegler’s book on immersive reality is an ambitious and inspiring endeavor talking about the future that isn’t the same as it used to be.”
—Kay Meseberg, Head of Mission Innovation, ARTE
 
“This ground-breaking book is the first convincing analysis of the implications of our immersion into mediated virtual worlds, providing a compelling and vital guide to a society which has already fallen down the rabbit-hole.”
—Paul Moody, Senior Lecturer in Media and Communications, Brunel University London
 
“Stiegler asks that we adjust our focus on immersion from thinking of it as characteristic of specific emerging media platforms—VR, AR, games. Instead he proposes immersion as a crucial interpretive lens through which to understand media life now. It’s a persuasive argument that makes a valuable contribution to contemporary media studies.”
—Mandy Rose, Professor of Documentary and Digital Cultures, UWE BristolChristian Stiegler is an internationally renowned researcher and expert on immersive media and emerging technologies. His work is at the forefront of efforts in the humanities and social sciences to create a responsible, ethical, and sustainable technological future.