Review by Choice Review
Will networked societies experience democratic revolutions because they are networked? Claims for the inevitability of such revolutions ignite this profoundly interesting volume. This political and philosophical analysis of the Internet is deeply pessimistic, richly researched, and intellectually available to readers with some philosophic background. It requires a bit of wading through some language not too distant from the often impenetrable German philosopher Martin Heidegger. But this is a minor objection to a wonderful application of political philosophy to the major sociotechnical system of our age. Following a brief review of some thinkers from Plato to moderns like George Grant, the discussion moves swiftly and brilliantly through the computer, the computer network and its impact on macroeconomic life and on work and worker. The marxist interpretations of network capitalism, production and consumption, which take up the central portion of the book, are refreshing and insightful as is the attack on postmodernist and liberal accounts that concludes the book. Though a challenge for some in parts, this sensational book should receive wide notice and discussion, and should be on the shelves of all university and college libraries. Highly recommended for upper-division undergraduates and above. E. Lewis; New College of the University of South Florida
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
