The Big Switch: Rewiring The World, From Edison To Google (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
I read this several weeks ago and am just getting around to this review, so, sadly, it is not entirely fresh in my mind..Carr starts this turn of the century lets-scare-everyone-about-the-future-of-technology book with several great historical advances that he analogously compares to our Moore's Law interpretation of the advancement of computers and their overawing control over our society and economy. I am inclined to rate this book slightly higher than three stars purely based on the amount of detail he used to tell his tale. However, fact can only make a book so interesting; implication and assessment are what really make of break these books, and, well, I can't agree with all of the expectations or predictions made by him, or those he quoted - some I see as quite far-fetched, or plain wrong.I'm not going to say too much more in regards to his attitude in the second half of the book - which (if you read it) you will notice takes a foot-planted 90 degree turn to the left, where he seems to emphasize the future of computing and its surrealistic vision as a total loss of self - but I will say it is worth the read simply as a mind opener to those who aren't familiar with how rapidly computers are replacing humans everyday, as well as their affect on everyday interactions.It was a very quick read, so if you are interested in a micro-history about technological advancement in the computing world I will recommend this. I am certain you'll learn at least one new thing from this book, and that's enough reason to read a book. I received this book for free from a Goodreads First Reads giveaway!The Big Switch originally hit shelves in 2008. At that time, people were not sure about the whole "cloud computing" movement. This book is the 2013 re-release with a new afterword by the author. And now everyone has embraced the cloud just 5 years later (ok, not everyone, but far more than in 2008).This book is divided into three distinct parts that each focus on a different aspect of the grand move to cloud, or utility, computing. The first section describes the rise of electric power and the eventual switch to centralized utility providers to supply the electric needs of consumers. The author outlines the many parallels between electricity and computing. These parallels include how all-important the industry has become to everyday life. This part of the book was both informative and utterly fascinating.The next part of the book sang the praises of the switch to utility computing and listed many benefits that have already been realized in this infancy period for the cloud. The author also gives many examples of great things that can and will come in the future due to the rise of the cloud.The last section switches gears from the beginnings of the book. The author sends out a dire warning of the many dangers and pitfalls that are becoming a reality in the cloud era. Privacy issues (NSA, right?), dependency on technology, and many more issues are outlined in detail. The new afterword updates the book with all of the new information that has come along in the last 5 years. The author also points out the parts of his predictions that are already coming true and makes a few more prognostications along the way.I get the impression that the author sees the cloud as a grand change in humanity that could be great and wonderful except for the fact that it is being created and implemented by people. So, his overwhelming sense of dread for the future isn't tempered by optimism because the cons may just outweigh the pros in this case.What do I think after reading this? I am in awe of the scope that utility computing already has encompassed. However, I am fearful for the future because we have already seen many of the examples from the author's warnings come to pass and I believe most of them will be a reality over the next few years.So, as much as I like Facebook and Amazon and Goodreads, I am less optimistic for our future in the cloud computing era.I do recommend this to anyone interested in computing, history, futurist predictions, social media, or social politics.
What do You think about The Big Switch: Rewiring The World, From Edison To Google (2008)?
A banal work that I couldn't finish. Don't buy it...get it from the library if you deign to read it.
—patricia
Now dated, but still addressing some critical issues surrounding our shift into the digital age.
—Angel
Fascinating view about the emergence of IT as a utility, otherwise known as 'Cloud Computing'.
—rons
It was an interesting read, but I wonder what he'd have to say about the Comcast / NBC deal.
—pervzilla
Same comment as for "Why software sucks ...".
—Jennifer
