Confronts one of the most important questions of our time: how will digital technology transform politics and society? In the future, the question will be how far our lives should be directed and controlled by powerful digital systems - and on what terms? Jamie Susskind argues that rapid and relentless innovation in a range of technologies will transform the way we live together. Calling for a fundamental change in the way we think about politics,...

A leading Internet commentator showcases global solutions for preserving the fundamentals of humanity and civilized society in an increasingly perilous digital world.

Silicon Valley visionary Jaron Lanier was among the first to predict the revolutionary changes the World Wide Web would bring to commerce and culture. Now, in his first book, Lanier offers this cautionary look at the way the Web is transforming our lives, for better and for worse. The current design and function of the web have become so familiar that it is easy to forget that they grew out of programming decisions made decades ago. The web's first...

"A globe-spanning investigation into the Transhumanist movement, considering the tech billionaires, scientific luminaries, and DIY body-hackers attempting to prolong, improve, and ultimately transcend the limits of human life"--

"To most people paying attention to the collision between industrial society and the hard limits of a finite planet, it's clear that things are going very, very wrong. We no longer have unlimited time and resources to deal with the crises that define our future, and the options are limited to the tools we have on hand right now. This book is about one very powerful option: deliberate technological regression. Technological regression isn't about 'going...

"Today's babies often make their debut on social media with the very first sonogram. They begin interacting with screens at around four months old. But is this good news or bad news? A wonderful opportunity to connect around the world? Or the first step in creating a generation of addled screen zombies? Many have been quick to declare this the dawn of a neurological and emotional crisis, but solid science on the subject is surprisingly hard to come...

When the power goes out, it sparks an idea for Dot, Hal, Mom, and Dad. But stepping away from gadgets and devices isn't as easy as it seems. No video games, no laptaps or tablet, no drone. A trip to the basement turns up some interesting materials, none of which require electricity, software, or Internet access. What Dot and her family will need to plug into are their imaginations, creativity, and sense of adventure. They sing, play games, make art,...