A01=Andreas Hepp
Andreas Hepp
Author_Andreas Hepp
Category=JHB
digital futures
eq_bestseller
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_society-politics
Ethereum
forthcoming
pioneer communities
Quantified Self movement
Silicon Valley
technological advancement
the Maker movement
the Whole Earth Network
Product details
- ISBN 9781509559626
- Publication Date: 11 Dec 2026
- Publisher: Polity Press
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Paperback
Secure
checkout
Fast Shipping
Easy returns
For decades, pioneer communities in Silicon Valley and beyond have been at the forefront of shaping our ideas of digital futures, from social media platforms and self-tracking practices to groundbreaking space and lab initiatives. Their latest frontier, artificial intelligence, is already pushing the boundaries of human potential.
Pioneer Communities is the first book to explore these influential groups and their global impact. Drawing on extensive ethnographic research, the book explores the spread of pioneer communities, from the Whole Earth Network and the Maker and Quantified Self movements, to more recent communities such as Ethereum. It uncovers their visions for digital futures, their life cycles, their idea to understand the world as a lab, and the role of an organizational elite in curating their narratives. The book reveals how these communities foster a "quiet futuring", a process that, though often unseen, profoundly impacts our perceptions of technological advancement.
Rich with concrete examples and surprising insights, Pioneer Communities offers a comprehensive understanding of the groups that influence our future. It is essential reading for students, scholars, journalists, policymakers, and practitioners eager to explore the potential of AI and other digital technologies in shaping our tomorrow.
Pioneer Communities is the first book to explore these influential groups and their global impact. Drawing on extensive ethnographic research, the book explores the spread of pioneer communities, from the Whole Earth Network and the Maker and Quantified Self movements, to more recent communities such as Ethereum. It uncovers their visions for digital futures, their life cycles, their idea to understand the world as a lab, and the role of an organizational elite in curating their narratives. The book reveals how these communities foster a "quiet futuring", a process that, though often unseen, profoundly impacts our perceptions of technological advancement.
Rich with concrete examples and surprising insights, Pioneer Communities offers a comprehensive understanding of the groups that influence our future. It is essential reading for students, scholars, journalists, policymakers, and practitioners eager to explore the potential of AI and other digital technologies in shaping our tomorrow.
Andreas Hepp is Professor of Media and Communications at the University of Bremen.
