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Liked It “Brilliant. A must-read for all.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Some interesting food for thought but just too dense for my liking.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Another book that I read for my Master's in Information Technology. It describes the communication and technology paradigm shift in our society in the early 1990's. ”
Richard B wrote this review Monday, July 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Brilliant. A must-read for all. ”
Lauren H wrote this review Sunday, March 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Technopoly is a diatribe against technology and scientism as religion, a religion which Postman believed is rapidly overtaking America to the detriment of traditional religion and culture. Postman raises the questions: what are the consequences of technology on society and why don't we care? He correctly describes our fascination with science (accepting it as ultimate truth) numbers (assigning numbers to things that don't make sense to ascribe numbers to, like intelligence) efficiency (which is seen as an end rather than a means) and productivity.
Caleb L wrote this review Tuesday, April 15 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
He describes how we have gotten to the state where (just read a church growth book) where we view people not as children of God but as consumers in a market. Technology, though not evil in itself, should be used as a tool and should not use us! He is emphatic in noting that we must take into account the ramifications of technology on culture. For instance, what have the ramifications of penicillin and modern medicine been on prayer? Though few would argue that penicillin is bad, it is unfortunate that we have allowed scientific advancement to so influence religious doctrine with so little recourse.
There is really too much to get into in a short review, but Postman describes a world in which science excludes the belief that non-scientific knowledge (such as theology) is valid. We have such an information overload that people consume information rather than gain knowledge. The world that we live in devalues the old and makes useless the knowledge of the elderly and the ancients. It destroys symbols and strips them of value and meaning. It alienates people from each other. His is a bleak picture of the culmination of the modern world, but unlike postmodern philosophers, Postman refuses to find the answers from within, as if we are somehow disassociated from the past and rather points us to history and tradition to guide and critique our future.
He challenges us to consider the meanings of words and questions. To value relationships over efficiency. To value and study the great narratives of religion and consider non-scientific forms of truth. To have respect and regard for the aged and their traditions. To value symbols and refuse to strip them of their meaning. To consider the consequences of technological advancement, to admire it and use it, but not to think of it as the highest possible form of human achievement.
Excellent book, highest possible recommendation. ”“Some interesting food for thought but just too dense for my liking.”
awardtour wrote this review Monday, March 12 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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