recommended to researchers and enthusiasts interested in online interaction, virtuality and social study, as well as standing out for its succinct and thoughtful exploration of ritual, fetish and sign theory." -- Hilary Wheaton, Media International Australia "[A]n expert account of online relations in general and the relation of user (or participant, in Hillis' terms) to avatar in particular. . . . As a trans-disciplinary work it will be a valuable resource for those working in a wide range of fields, such as media theory, cultural studies, sociology and philosophy. . . . [A]lways an interesting, provocative and insightful read. This is a fascinating account of life online." -- David W. Hill, Continuum "Hillis's skillful connection of embodied users to virtual traces and experiences make Online a Lot of the Time a compelling read for anyone interested in the relation between virtuality, visuality and (new) media effects. Scholars and designers interested in the primacy of the ritual/fetish relationship to our interactions with and experience of technology will find Hillis's volume particularly illuminating, but the breadth of Hillis's work and the varied intellectual resources he relies upon provide ample opportunity and motivation for any determined reader to engage with this timely and insightful volume." -- Tyler Pace, New Media and Society "The real strength of the work lies in the sustained historicization of 'virtual' life and Hillis's perspective on the temporalities that are at stake in online life. On these counts, there are some real delights to be found." -- Dawn Nafus,