For the student and general reader, a tour of the digital universe that offers critical observations and new perspectives on human communication and intelligence. * Traces the development and diffusion of digital information and communication technologies, providing an analysis of trans-cultural effects among developed and developing nations * Provides a balanced analysis of the pros and cons of the adoption and diffusion of digital technologies * Explores privacy, censorship, the digital divide, online games, and virtual and augmented realities * Follows a thematic structure, allowing readers to access the text at any point, based on their interests * Accompanying resources provide a wealth of related online content