The Machine in Me
An Anthropologist Sits Among Computer Engineers
1st Edition
Published on 5. March 2014
304 pages
978-1-136-67920-9 (ISBN)
Description
Gary Lee Downey investigates the body/machine interface in his remarkable ethnography of computer engineers. Drawing on interviews, observations and personal interaction with engineers, he documents the everyday power of technology's dominant image in our society, a force widely regarded as monolithically progressive. The Machine in Me will lead the reader to understand how deeply connected we are to The Machine and how beneficial it would be for us to really understand ourselves and machines as partially configured of the other--we as part machine, machines as part human. In this way, we can begin to see both the power and limitations of technology.
Reviews / Votes
"[T]his book makes an important contribution to the larger project of theorizing the relationship between technology and society. Downey prods readers to rethink the cultural boundary between technology and humanity and focuses much-needed attention on the dynamics of technology-in-use." -- Technology and Culture"[A]musing and insightful observations about industry trade shows, sharp criticism of the national rhetoric of productivity in the United States in the 1980s." -- Technology and Culture
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Reflowable
File size
7,79 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-136-67920-9 (9781136679209)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
07/1998
1st Edition
Routledge
€206.80
Shipment within 15-20 days
Book
07/1998
1st Edition
Routledge
€80.40
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Gary Lee Downey is Director of the Center for Science and Technology Studies at Virginia Tech.
Content
Preface and Acknowledgments 1 Images Count 2 We Put You in Control: The Trade Show 3 Does Productivity Fit? 4 Seducing Money 5 Adapting a Nation around Automation 6 Beyond Control and Submission 7 Locating Me Inside It: Coding 8 Locating It Inside Me: Confusion 9 The Making of Experts 10 On the Replacement of Humans with Machines: A Different Humanism Notes References
