Against The Machine
Being Human in the Era of the Electronic Mob
1st Edition
Published on 30. September 2011
192 pages
978-1-84765-497-7 (ISBN)
Description
Against the Machine is a fascinating look at how the Internet is reshaping the way we think about ourselves and the world. Siegel explores how the internet affects culture and social life, particularly the psychological, emotional and social cost of high-tech solitude. Arguing that the internet's widespread anonymity eliminates boundaries and encourages otherwise polite people to be downright abusive, Siegel discusses the half-fantasy, half-realism of online personae. By experiencing virtual selves rather than other individuals, we run the risk of being reduced to avatars that other internet users manipulate for their own ends. Insightful and written with convincing evidence to support the author?s polemic, this book is a welcome addition to the debate on the personal ramifications of living in a wired world.
Reviews / Votes
One of the country's most eloquent and acid-tongued cultural critics. -- Deborah Solomon * New York Times * The worldwide web is, for Siegel, essentially an optical illusion, an infinite hall of mirrors in which atomised, self-broadcasting individuals are really just staring at themselves * Prospect * This witty and intelligent polemic looks at how being online makes us more disconnected. * Scotland on Sunday * One of the heroic few. * Guardian * To read him is to be reminded of what criticism used to aspire to in terms ofrange, learning, high standards, and good writing and - dare one say it? - values. -- David Rieff In every case, Siegel is wildly and satisfyingly unpredictable. -- Janet Malcolm Savour his vigorous prose, and prepare to be surprised -- Pete Hammill Siegel is a zigzagging cultural omnivore... a confrontational enthusiast... an expert demolisher of critical group-think * New York Observer *
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More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Profile Books Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Reflowable
ISBN-13
978-1-84765-497-7 (9781847654977)
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
06/2008
Serpent's Tail
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Person
The author of Not Remotely Controlled: Notes on Television, Lee Siegel is a cultual
commentator and art critic. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
commentator and art critic. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
