Technopoly

The Surrender of Culture to Technology

Neil Postman

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Will Marshall: "Great book!"

Book Synopsis

"Technopoly" by Neil Postman explores the impact of technology on society, particularly the rise of a new philosophy that he calls Technopoly. This philosophy holds that technology is the ultimate solution to all human problems and that it should be unquestioningly embraced.

Postman starts by presenting the historical progression of technological advancements, illustrating how they shape and reshape culture. He argues that technology does not exist in isolation but is deeply intertwined with the values, beliefs, and social structures of a society.

Postman highlights the dangers of Technopoly by examining how it affects different domains of life. He criticizes the overemphasis on efficiency and productivity, which often come at the expense of human interactions, critical thinking, and meaningful experiences. He warns against the erosion of moral and ethical frameworks, as technology allows for the manipulation and control of information.

The impacts of Technopoly extend beyond individuals to institutions and systems. Postman discusses how technology has transformed education, politics, and the economy. He raises concerns about the loss of genuine learning and thoughtful civic engagement, as well as the rise of a consumer-driven culture where value is measured solely in economic terms.

Postman argues that resisting Technopoly requires a conscious evaluation of technology's consequences and a renewed commitment to human values. He encourages readers to take a critical stance towards technology and to actively shape its trajectory, rather than passively accepting its inevitability.

Through thought-provoking analysis and a call to action, "Technopoly" offers a compelling examination of the ways in which technology shapes our lives and the importance of maintaining a balance between technology and human values in order to preserve our humanity.

Explore More Books

See All
The Intel Trinity
Radical Chic and Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers
Einstein
Shadow Divers
Wing Leader
The Fourth Revolution
Technopoly
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Drunk Tank Pink
If At Birth You Don't Succeed
Endurance
The World Until Yesterday
Negotiating The Impossible
The New Penguin Atlas of Ancient History
Sleep in Art
Relentless
Bargaining for Advantage
The Path To Power
Medieval Technology and Social Change
Peak
Payoff
Richard Feynman
A Bite-Sized History of France
Life Ascending
Metamagical Themas
Childhood and Society
Let Your Life Speak
Q.E.D.
Confidence Game
The $12 Million Stuffed Shark
The Master Algorithm
A Gentleman in Moscow
The History of the Future
Writing My Wrongs
The Net & The Butterfly
Devil's Bargain
Netflixed
Turtles All The Way Down
Means Of Ascent
Guns, Sails, and Empires
The Paper Menagerie And Other Stories
The Immateriality of the Material
The Grid
Margaret Thatcher: Herself Alone
The Complete Sherlock Holmes
Mind-Body Problem
The Count of Monte Cristo
Absolute Tao
The Lifecycle of Software Objects
Catherine the Great
The Magic of Thinking Big
Co-Intelligence
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment
Quality Investing
Karl Marx's Theory of History
The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí
Crucial Conversations
Frisco Kid
Michael Jordan
A Very Expensive Poison
Dark Towers
Read Write Own
The Great War of Our Time
Virtual Society
Positioning
We Were Soldiers Once... And Young
The Battle of Alcazar
The Ancient City
Lasker's Manual of Chess
The Talent Code
Oranges
In Other Words
Rich Woman
The Gift of Adversity
Energy Myths and Realities
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Americana
American Crusade
The Fiat Standard
A Brief History of Time
Getting to Maybe
The New Atlantis
The Inflamed Mind
Triggered
The Hobbit
How Google Works
AOL.com
The Art of Seduction
Innovating Out of Crisis
Human Action
She Said
Shattered
Seveneves
The Iliad
The Charisma Myth
The Way of Kings
Seeking Wisdom
The Beginning Of Infinity
Taken for Granted