Thursday 27 January 2011

You are not a gadget

I came across this book today which claims to be a manifesto about the need for a more humanistic approach to internet technology. Like all good manifestos, Lanier's ideas run against the grain. For example, he considers Web 2.0 tools to be a problem because they provide standardised solutions that limit the potential of the individual. He dislikes Wikipedia because he considers it to be an example of "mob rule".

Here's a thoughtful article about the book and a link on Amazon if you fancy getting a copy.

2 comments:

Ian Chia (from Being Prudence) said...

Hello @creativetallis :D

I've been reading this book on and off and find it a very thoughtful book. Jaron Lanier also wrote a very interesting and insightful article for the NYT called "Does the Digital Classroom Enfeeble the Mind?" - I think you'll find sympathies within it. I reposted it to the public discussion forum area within forum.momswithapps.com - you can find the link from there, or join in on our discussion. That part of the forum is publicly available for anyone to contribute, and I'd value your insights. All the best, Ian

Ian Chia (from Being Prudence) said...

Oops - forgot to add the link.
http://forum.momswithapps.com/general-discussion/does-the-digital-classroom-enfeeble-the-mind-jaron-lanier-in-the-nyt/