PhilPeople

Baylor University
Sociology

Teaching Professor

University of Texas at Austin

PhD, 2011

Homepage

Waco, Texas, United States of America

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Society Without People: The Social Implications of the Metaverse and A.I.
Christopher Pieper

DeGruyter. 2025.

Society Without People is the first major scholarly analysis of the profound social and cultural effects of emerging technologies such as generative AI and the Metaverse. Using an approachable style and compelling scenarios, Pieper and Nelson examine the potential ways these technologies will shape identity, institutions, relationships, communities, power, and personhood itself in the near future. Introducing the theory of Gamism, the authors suggest that the logic of games could serve as the ne…Read more
Society Without People is the first major scholarly analysis of the profound social and cultural effects of emerging technologies such as generative AI and the Metaverse. Using an approachable style and compelling scenarios, Pieper and Nelson examine the potential ways these technologies will shape identity, institutions, relationships, communities, power, and personhood itself in the near future. Introducing the theory of Gamism, the authors suggest that the logic of games could serve as the new ideology governing this strange, exciting world. One question underlies each chapter: how can humans flourish in the midst of such rapid and deep changes? It is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of society and technology.