Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology
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In this witty, often terrifying work of cultural criticism, the author of Amusing Ourselves to Death chronicles our transformation into a Technopoly: a society that no longer merely uses technology as a support system but instead is shaped by it--with radical consequences for the meanings of politics, art, education, intelligence, and truth.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Postman has written two hand-wringing books about the impact of technology on culture--this one and his earlier Amusing Ourselves to Death. This book extends his thesis from just television to other media and includes some additional material, such as a chapter on Scientism (criticizing too much faith in science as the answer to every question) and a chapter on The Great Symbol Drain (about the cheapening of our sacred symbols, as for example, using a reference to God to sell Kosher hot dogs). There are a number of good points in the book, but if you will read Amusing Ourselves to Death for the "technology determines culture" argument and David Shenk's Data Smog for the current look at infoglut, you'll have a more interesting and perhaps more informative experience.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found this book to be one of the best I have read on the subject. Contrary to other reviewers here, I thought it was easy to read. Postman provides both a view on the changes that are occurring in society due to technology, as well as look at the dark side associated with our assumption that technology only works to solve the problem it was created for. Though he does get a little preachy near the end, I think that we would do well to heed his admonition that trusting technology too much leads to loss of liberty, privacy, and humanism.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Clever and resourceful. It is fascinating the way Postman interweaves different aspect of life, such as printing press, IQ test, language, education, and polling system, into Technopoly. Postman's argument of American culture becoming too technologicaly oriented and loosing the traditions is a legitimate point. However, he ignors the fact that America does not have a tradition. America is trying to stablish a tradiotion. The tradition that America is "loosing" was not American tradition, it came with the pilgrims. As Postman is full of fascinationg information himself, he argues that we don't need any more information, "Technopolist stands firm in believing that what the world needs is yet more information...Information is dangerous when it has no place to go...Information without regulation can be lethal." But, he does not prescribe that, how much information is enough information? And how could we regulate information in a democratic society? The system is set-up for gathering infromation. Students are incouraged to collect infromation. One of the main points of Postman's argument is that the rise of technopoly demolished religious believes and therefore the traditions. Although the topics are repetitious, I found the book easy to read. Postman provokes many questions, such as, are we controlling technology or technology is controlling us? What is the purpose of history? Are we happy about where technology is taking us? Is it too late, or can technology be controlled? What about God?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Rather Pointless
I do not agree with many things in this book, I never really found a point to it. I will say, it did make me think of things in a different perspective that I might not of ever... Read more
Published on 30 May 1999
A thought provoking analysis on technolgy.
Neil Postman, leaves no stone unturned in his attck on how technology's ideology is undermining our own values and our very way of life. Read more
Published on 20 Mar 1999
Mr Ramble
I also had to read this book for a college class. I find postman to be a true rambler. I rolled my eyes several times and procrastinated considerably during the reading of this... Read more
Published on 14 Dec 1998
A inspiring book that allows you to reevaluate your own view
An inspiring book that had me looking at the way that I live my life, and how dependant I am on technology. Read more
Published on 10 Dec 1998
Great analysis of technological evolution.
Clever and resourceful. It is fascinating the way Postman interweaves different aspect of life, such as printing press, IQ test, language, education, and polling system, into... Read more
Published on 8 Dec 1998
Are you concerned with the evolution of American culture?
I'm disappointed with some of the negative reviews I've read about this book. I think this is one of the most important books written this decade. Read more
Published on 29 Nov 1998
Hard to read at times but overall a worthwhile book
I tend to agree with the student's complaint that the book is like drinking sand, but overall it was worth wading through. Read more
Published on 5 April 1998
A STUDENT'S VIEW OF POSTMAN'S TECHNOPOLY
What was Neil Postman thinking? Having been forced to suffer through this book for a college class, I feel dirty and violated. Read more
Published on 1 April 1998
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