Jaron Lanier

Jaron Lanier is a computer scientist, composer, visual artist, and author known for his work in virtual reality and technology critique.

He coined the term "Virtual Reality" and founded VPL Research, the first company to sell VR products.

Lanier has held positions at Advanced Network and Services, Silicon Graphics, and Microsoft.

He's received honorary doctorates and awards for his contributions to VR. As an author and speaker, Lanier discusses technology's social impact, consciousness, and humanism.

Time Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in 2010.

Lanier is also a musician, specializing in unusual Asian instruments and maintaining a large collection of rare instruments.