How do digital media technologies affect society and our lives? Through the cultural theory hypotheses of hyper-modernism, hyperreality, and posthumanism, Alan N. Shapiro investigates the social impact of Virtual/Augmented Reality, AI, social media platforms, robots, and the Brain-Computer Interface. His examination of concepts of Jean Baudrillard and Katherine Hayles, as well as films such as Blade Runner 2049, Ghost in the Shell, Ex Machina, and the TV series Black Mirror, suggests that the boundary between science fiction narratives and the 'real world' has become indistinct. Science-fictional thinking should be advanced as a principal mode of knowledge for grasping the world and digitalization.

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»Shapiros poetics of coding certainly enriches the scientific and philosophical debate in view of the fact that artificial intelligence (AI) is now considered a sparring/ jarring partner. Thanks to Shapiros background in the philosophy of science, the book mobilises an impressive array of theoretical references bridging any so-called divide between Continental and Analytic Philosophy.«

»Shapiro's work unveils an all-encompassing framework that masterfully integrates a myriad of  perspectives from cultural studies, media theory, and science fiction theories in the realm of popular culture. This meticulously crafted structure delves into the intricate concepts of hypermodernism, hyperreality, and posthumanism to offer profound insights into the transformative impact of digital media technologies both at the societal and individual levels.«