Walking Summer

In July 2016, the world changed. Millions of people poured out of their homes, wandering streets, parks, and landmarks with their eyes glued to their phones. Strangers talked to strangers. Police officers played with protesters. For one glorious month, "Pokémon GO" didn't just become the most popular mobile game in history; it created a utopian social experiment. "The Walking Summer" documents the chaotic launch of Niantic's augmented reality hit. It tells stories of stampedes in Central Park for a Vaporeon, the server crashes that united nations in frustration, and the weird collisions between virtual monsters and real-world locations (like Holocaust museums and private backyards). This book analyzes why this specific moment happened—a perfect storm of nostalgia, new technology, and a summer where the world desperately needed a distraction. It explores the physical health benefits (millions of kilometers walked) and the sudden collapse of the hype. A nostalgic trip back to the closest thing we've had to world peace.