Ruminations on our relationship with technology
Recommended Reading on this site includes social commentary that gives valuable insights about our relationship with technology.
Select a book review or synopsis that piques your interest in the genre of social commentary below.
A warning about Technopoly “Technopoly … is totalitarian technocracy” (Postman, 1992, 48). Technology: friend or foe … or both? It may seem indisputable that technological innovation is, on the whole, a great thing. And yet, if innovation gets pushed to an extreme—if we’re just innovating for innovation’s sake, as opposed to using innovations to help … Read more
The philosophy of modern minimalism: A new name for an old way of thinking Summary: Contrary to popular misunderstanding, modern minimalism doesn’t mean getting rid of all your belongings and living like an ascetic. Rather, it means asking a simple question about what we own and how we spend our time, energy, or resources. Namely, … Read more
What is “cognitive surplus”? In the previous part of this two-part book review, I summarized some of Clay Shirky’s ideas in his popular book Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing without Organizations. As pointed out, Shirky makes several interesting observations about how new media, such as smart devices and social networking sites, give users … Read more
Critique of Clay Shirky and organizing without organizations If you’re somebody who regularly reads about technology trends and how they shape society at large, you may have come across Clay Shirky’s writings (if not the occasional critique of Clay Shirky and his ideas). Shirky is an influential author when it comes to discussing the social … Read more
Four ways to practice digital minimalism According to Cal Newport, author of Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, we can greatly improve our lives by learning how to use technology more intentionally—that is, in ways that support our goals and values. Newport refers to this approach as digital minimalism. (See Part … Read more
The philosophy of digital minimalism: Questioning the value of technology Look around the next time you’re in line at Chipotle, Whole Foods, or Exxon: our addictions are showing. A generation ago, nearly everyone casually puffed cigarettes throughout the day. Today, indoor smoking seems crazy, but it’s been replaced by the captivating glow of our four-inch … Read more
Digital distraction and the loss of depth and meaning Do smart devices hinder our ability to think deeply? Are social networking sites displacing meaningful connections in the real world? Over the years, researchers have asked such questions about digital distraction, and not without reason. As smartphone ownership has risen and social media use has increased, … Read more
Deep work vs. shallow work I’m a fan of Cal Newport for the same reason I like Henry David Thoreau. Newport sees immense value in the ability to focus and filter out distractions. For this reason, I highly recommend his book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. The key idea is … Read more
Revisiting Thoreau’s Walden Every so often, I like to pick up books I haven’t glanced at in a while and lose myself in the words of a sagacious writer. One author I find myself constantly revisiting is Henry David Thoreau—in particular, his book Walden. Most have probably heard of Thoreau, even though his message of … Read more