Editorial Review

Neil Postman is one of the most level-headed analysts of education, media, and technology, and in this book he spells out theincreasing dependence upon technology, numerical quantification, and misappropriation of "Scientism" to all human affairs. No simple technophobe, Postman argues insightfully and writes with a stylistic flair, profound sense of humor,and love of language increasingly rare in our hastily scribbled e-mail-saturated world. ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Agree with his ideas but.....
I agreed with much of what Postman conveyed in Technopoly but i was put-off quite a bit by some of the arguements he uses to support his claims.At times he seems to be make sweeping generalizations based on very specific, very limited data, which was painful for me to read. Other times he seems to draw conclusions that just dont follow directly from his evidence. I would recommend reading The Technological Society by Ellul instead if you're interested in this kind of thing.

The Dire Consequences of Technology
Neil Postman's Technopoly stands as a prophetic look at the impact of technology on a society. From the outset it is clear that Postman is not concerned with being unbiased, but rather balancing his own biases with careful self-criticing and historical presidents for his observations. This book comes as a bit of a wake up call for a society ungulfed in technology, an ironic observation given the method of this review. Postman acknowledges that it will be difficult for many readers to accept his ideology, but that it was important that they do not simply dismiss it. Technology, for Postman, is never a simple thing, and we are never able to comprehend the far reaching impact of the technologies we introduce into society. Postman gives the example of the printing press and the decline of the written tradition. While it was not an intentional effect, the value of writing has become secondary within society to technological innovation. These innovations are seen in every facet of life, for Postman, and carry many dire consequences.
Forces you to question your assumptions
This book starts off on some very strong premises and is a real page turner to about the half-way point, then it becomes difficult to read, as if the author ran out of compelling ideas too early on. He then spends several chapters brazenly criticizing the major establishments of technology (medical science and computers) as irresponsible, dangerous developments in western society. But Postman does conclude with a strong final chapter that challenges the reader. Overall, I'd say it was a tough read, but compelling. Any book that challenges your assumptions and world-view is significant. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Politics - Current Events    3. Social aspects    4. Sociology    5. Technology    6. Technology And Social Change    7. Christianity    8. Non-Classifiable   

Subjects:  1. Culture    2. General    3. Science    4. Science and civilization    5. Social aspects    6. Sociology    7. Technology    8. Technology And Social Change    9. Technology and civilization    10. Anthropology    11. Cultural studies    12. Impact of computing & IT on society    13. Technology: General Issues   

Reviews (1)

Valuable resource for research & best practices
This collection of essays is devoted to all facets of aligning IT and business.While the central theme is integration of information technologies into the fabric of business processes as an enabler, the book touches on peripheral issues that cause you to think in much larger terms.If you take the holistic view that is presented in the book you will be armed with information, ideas and knowledge to accomplish an organizational transformation that meets your unique business needs.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Computer Books: General    4. Development - Business Development    5. Information Management    6. Information technology    7. Management    8. Management - General    9. Organization Development    10. Organizational change    11. Structural Adjustment    12. Technological Change (Management)    13. Business & Economics / Reference    14. Business strategy    15. Impact of computing & IT on society    16. Information technology industries    17. Management & management techniques   

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Writing    4. Composition & Creative Writing - General    5. English Composition    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Psychological aspects    9. Research    10. Rhetoric    11. Social aspects    12. Study & Teaching    13. Technology And Social Change    14. Word processing    15. Writing    16. Computing and Information Technology    17. Cultural studies    18. Literacy    19. Palaeography (history of writing)    20. Writing skills   

Reviews (2)

I will definitley have to read this a seventh time
I have never encountered a more brilliant historian. Just when I thought life wouldn't brighten up, I found this incredible masterpiece.

George Ovitt is a supergenius!
This is without a doubt the best book I have ever read. You wouldn't think labor and technology in Medieval Culture would be interesting in the least, but George Ovitt positively sings. Beautiful, elegant prose coupled withspurts of riveting, suspenseful narrative. "The Restoration ofPerfection : Labor and Technology in Medieval Culture," by GeorgeOvitt, Jr. is, quite simply, awesome. I first read this eight years ago,and ever since I have prayed each and every night that Ovitt will produceanother. Only then will my life be complete. I love you, George Ovitt, Jr. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Christianity    3. History    4. History Of Technology    5. History: American    6. Religious aspects    7. Sociology    8. Technology    9. Technology And Social Change    10. Work    11. History of engineering & technology    12. Impact of science & technology on society    13. Sociology, Social Studies   

Subjects:  1. Sociology    2. Sociology - General    3. Technology And Social Change   

Editorial Review

Meet Ada Lovelace, daughter of mathematician Annabella Byron and poet Lord Byron, and a major contributor to Charles Babbage's famous Read more

Reviews (1)

Plant does not motivate social changes.
The label of "cyber-feminist" should not givereaders the illusion of Plant's Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Industry    3. Effect of technological innovations on    4. Feminism & Feminist Theory    5. Social Science    6. Social aspects    7. Sociology    8. Sociology - General    9. Sociology Of Women    10. Technological innovations    11. Technology    12. Technology And Social Change    13. Women    14. Women's Studies    15. Social Science / Women's Studies   

Subjects:  1. Sociology    2. Sociology - General    3. Technology And Social Change    4. History / General   

Reviews (1)

Beyond the 90s
This book nicley discussed like what will be the management focus, tactics and techniques of progressive business in the 90s and beyond? How will these organisations adapt to their chaning environments and develop newdirections and strategies? How will management develop these new techniquesand skills to make their organisations progressive in an environment inwhich IT is changing rapidly.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Data processing    3. Information Management    4. Information storage and retrie    5. Information technology    6. Management    7. Management - General    8. Organizational change    9. Technology And Industrial Growth    10. Business & Economics / Corporate History    11. Business | Management    12. Impact of computing & IT on society    13. Industry & Industrial Studies   

Reviews (5)

Psychedelic
Psychedelic drugs are of the past ! computeresqe things and virtual reality will transform our perceptions in the future. Freedom
a variety of the treasured libertarian-laden articles and essays of Dr. Tim, displayed with interesting graphics and text. A little color with so many photos would have been nice but for twenty bucks you get a lot of Leary in a big book. One of the Best Tim Leary Books!!
Leary does it again! That brilliant Irish neuronaut has once again travelled far into the future of humanity and come back to the past to tell us all about it.It is the first fun and scientific analysis ofcyber-culture ever written. What's astounding about this book is that Learyconceptualizes Cyberia like no one before or since has done, withcrystal-clear vision, irreverent wit, and razor-sharp insight. Many of hisideas in this book, and it was written a few years ago, have alreadydiluted into the popular culture through magazines, television, and movies.This book is not just about psychedelic drugs, virtual reality, andquestioning authority. It epitomizes the philosophy of the future which weare creating in the present. It is a manual of the future written by oneman who has seen it. Forget Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, or Esther Dyson, whenwe look at computers today, and what they are fast becoming, remember thatTim Leary has been telling us all about it decades ago. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. General    3. New Age / Parapsychology    4. Popular Culture    5. Sociology    6. Sociology - General    7. Subculture    8. Technology And Social Change    9. United States    10. Anthropology    11. Cultural studies   

Reviews (1)

A deep and influential work
This book continues to influence my thinking about society more than any other I've read in the last ten years. Sakaiya's concept of "social subjectivity" as being one of thedriving forces in societal evolatuion has provided a frame for thinking about why people behave the way they do, and has lao provided me witha potent pltfrom for fdeveloping my own brand of paradigmatic thinking. This is not an easy read. The first third of the book is an intricately detailed primer on Asian culture history. Sakiya uses this deep histiry to set up the epochal trends that he sees. To a Westerner not schooled in Asian history, it was a tough read because Sakaiya assumed familiarity with some of the historical figures and events that Ididn't possess. Yet for me this history opened a lot of avenues in terms of seeing history unfold over a MUCH longer timeframe than the average Amerrcna is accustmoed to or comfortable with. Once Sakiya gets into the present and points to the future, however, the book fairly crackles with unique ideas about the types of fundamental processes and defintions that constitute a "knowledge value society". The core value or operator is nuance. The ability to create nuance, in fasbhion, music, art, or even terrminology, is the source of value in a knwoledge value society. The tools for aiding ion te creation of nuance, and the networks for conducinting nuance are likewise the core utilities in this kind of society. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Future Studies    3. General    4. Information society    5. Politics - Current Events    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Professions    8. Social Change    9. Social forecasting    10. Social prediction    11. Technology and civilization   

Reviews (3)

Good analysis of the information "revolution"
In this accessible and entertaining book, Perelman documents the class nature of the supposed revolution in information, the extent to which their has been such a revolution, and its implications for economic policy.
Good try and some good points
I saw this in the school library as perhaps a left wing, no, marxist view of the sociology of cyberspace. It is a good attempt. Yes, it follows many of the current writers in sociology on cyberspace(like Castells) and the so called information revolution which I live everyday. It also looks at work and Taylorism well. I can't find any faults with it really. But does he do the title justice? I think, yes, he covers the sociology of work and the ideas of being replaced by a computer well. I also think he attempts to break out of the mold of much of the unoriginal writing being done on cyberpsace these days in the schools. He doesn't seem like a hipppy as one other reviewer noted. I don't get the idea that Perelman is a libertarian living on the West Coast nor do I think he is rich. He does seem to be an academic economist though. Good work Perelman!

Well worth the read, in spite of its faults
We need intelligent critiques of Toffler-style rhetoric (as opposed to tirades by resentful hippies), and this is one. Lots of good ideas here. Problems: Perelman generalises so much he sometimes contradicts himself;the exclusively U.S. focus was frustrating to this foreigner (must be worsefor non-Westerners); there might have been attention paid to the ways inwhich IT has been used as a means of resistance, to complete the picture.But it should be read. An excellent starting point for discussion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Economic Conditions    3. Economics - Theory    4. Future Studies    5. Information society    6. Information technology    7. Social Science    8. Social Stratification    9. Social aspects    10. Social classes    11. Social conflict    12. Sociology    13. Sociology - General    14. Sociology - Social Theory    15. Technology And Social Change    16. Political Science / Economic Conditions   

Reviews (1)

The Fifth Generation computer project
I was reading "The Age of Intelligent Machines" by Raymond Kurzweil and was intrigued by the section on expert systems.He included an article by Edward A. Feigenbaum, one of the early names in the development of expert systems.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - General Information    2. Computer Design    3. Computer industry    4. Computers - General Information    5. General    6. Industries - General    7. Japan    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology And Social Change   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art and society    4. Art and technology    5. General    6. History - General    7. Philosophy    8. Popular Culture - General    9. Reference    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Technology And Social Change    13. Art / General    14. Cultural studies    15. Impact of science & technology on society    16. Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary Science    17. The Arts   

Reviews (25)

Weathercrane Skwurrylfell: Haptastic and Spontoastic Without Fledge!
Did Alvin obviate? No. The book is fine reading, stiff countenance, furrowed brow, "hmmm"s sprinkled and glasses toyed. I concur with other assessments composed in this forum; insightful but ill-named. The Future is Not Shocked. The caffeine is flowing too fast for catatonia. We ride a different manner of whirlwind.
Great analysis but the wrong conclusion
Toffler's concern in Future Shock is the accelerating rate of change in society.Science is making new discoveries at an increasing pace.Societal mores are changing at an increasing pace.Our organizational constructs are also changing at an increasing pace.
Unbelievable...
I first read this book so long ago, it was first published in 1971 when I was born. But it is actually so relevant TODAY. It is uncanny how on the mark and astute his predictions and conclusions were and are.
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Subjects:  1. 1945-    2. 1950-    3. Civilization, Modern    4. General    5. Social change    6. Social history    7. Sociology    8. Technology and civilization    9. Social Science / General   

Reviews (1)

Middle chapters are the Best
Being a Masters student of History in Denver, Rose's work is recommended reading.Unless the processes and politics of technology and industrialization turn you on, the first two and final two chapters will be slow going.But in the middle three chapters Rose hits his stride describing how the utility companies placed appliances andpower tools into turn-of-the-century "home ec" and "shop" classes to get an entire generation hooked for later consumption.He also details how the marketers focused pressure on husbands to buy these "labor-saving" devices for their overworked wives.Even if you are not into the techno-politico history, those middle three chapters are worth the price. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Colorado    2. Denver    3. General    4. History    5. History - General History    6. Kansas City    7. Missouri    8. Municipal services    9. Public Utilities    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Sociology - General    12. Technology And Social Change    13. Energy industries & utilities    14. Impact of science & technology on society    15. Social history    16. Social issues    17. USA   

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Educational sociology    4. General    5. Philosophy & Social Aspects    6. Popular Culture - General    7. Social Change    8. Social aspects    9. Sociology Of Education    10. Theosophy    11. Educational resources & technology    12. Open learning & distance education    13. Philosophy of education   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Family - Multigenerational    4. Historical - United States - General    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Juvenile Historical Fiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Science & Technology    9. Social aspects    10. Social change    11. Technological innovations    12. Technology    13. Technology - General    14. United States   

Editorial Review

"Information overload" is a simple phrase for a complex phenomenon: the overwhelming sense that modern media technologies churn out more words and images than our culture can usefully absorb. David Shenk, a technology critic with a knack for unraveling the complex, has an even simpler name for it--"data smog." That was the title of his first book, a smart, useful critique of the march of info-tech "progress" that has brought us such marvels as spam, junk mail, and 57 channels with nothing much on. Read more

Reviews (7)

"Moving images capture attention but subvert thought."
David Shenk has a gift for giving voice to my nagging anxieties, and an ability to discover the essential features of complex problems. I think he is a truly fine essayist, and all of the ones in this slender volume are wonderful. "Stealing Calm," however, is in a very rare class. It even approaches the likes of Loren Eiseley's "The Bird and the Machine," and for me, there are no higher accolades.

Patience still a virtue on the information tech frontier
The End of Patience: cautionary notes on the information revolution byDavid Shenk Another Triumph for David Shenk
David Shenk writes with wit and warmth about profound matters that affect us all, and manages to make high tech information intelligible and enjoyable. Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History: World    4. Information Technology    5. Information society    6. Mass Media    7. Revolutionary    8. Social Aspects    9. Technology & Industrial Arts    10. Technology And Social Change    11. Telecommunication    12. Telecommunications    13. Computing and Information Technology    14. Impact of science & technology on society    15. Media studies    16. Postal & telecommunications industries    17. Revolutions & coups    18. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (2)

Enlightening and Empowering
In an age of continuous cyber-hype, Boal collects a set of essays that take a rare critical look at technology foregrounding its hidden history, assumptions and impact. Far from rejecting technology altogether, these authors urge radically democratic engagement with technology. Though over ten years old, this text remains insightful and prescient, particularly in their warnings about corporate monopolization of media. Published by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the essays are challenging but delightfully full of helpful metaphors and enlightening connections to history, philosophy, sociology, psychology, art and pop culture. HIGHLY recommended for the thinking cybernaut.

Highly recommend this alternative to Internet hoopla.
Editors Brook and Boal have compiled an excellent collection of essays about computers and their broad impact on society. At times depressing and uplifting, this book is required reading for anyone who is a serious student of computer culture and its implications on our modern society. Many academics contribute, so the text at times takes on an elitist air (in one essay, it really helps to know French), but then again the book not intended for a general audience. Luddites and computer enthusiasts both should read this fine book, a welcome dose of reality after the ceaseless hoopla that surrounds the Internet. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer networks    2. Computers and civilization    3. Culture    4. General    5. Information Technology    6. Information society    7. Politics - Current Events    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Social aspects    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - General    12. Technology And Social Change    13. Anthropology    14. Communication Studies    15. Computer Communications & Networking    16. Cultural studies    17. Impact of science & technology on society    18. Technology / General