To Save Everything, Click Here: The Folly Of Technological Solutionism (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
It took me several months to read this book. I didn't like it very much. It is what many nonfiction books have recently become. A hysterical scree against (you fill in the blank) which is a threat to human existence, or some such twaddle. In this case Internet solution ism, meaning the societal powers are trying to make us solve all our problems with or on the Internet. At first I tried to see this as philosophy, but it isn't that. Then I tried to fit it into a monodilectical rant, but of course there is no such thing. Then I decided it was just a simple rhetorical fit. It jumps from point to point from position to position, some fit the topic well, many it's a stretch to see the relationship. It's hard to work up any fear of this existential threat. Some points, such as Big Data do make me feel uncomfortable, even used, but unless I totally withdrew from the net and society, hard to see there is anything I can do about it. It doesn't take much of a sample of your purchases to fit you into a category and only a few more months if data collection will allow the creation of avatar consistent enough to be very predictive of all behavior. It seems to me that point has been reached. What is a significant enough sample? 3%? 5%? How many regions need sampling? How many income levels? How many education levels? Remember Gallup polls sample about 1500 to arrive at an estimate if national opinion levels! What kinds of info is GR/Amazon collecting about us loyal (10 million+ drones). Is the book interesting? Well, I did stubbornly finish it. This is a book people who work in technology or read technology should read. Morozov has a perspective that is both important and timely.That said, he's a bit of an ass and that really complicates the work. Getting a full measure of value of of Morozov's writing required, for me, a bit of intentionally entering his perspective and framing. The twin problems of internet centrism and solutionism, when viewed from his particular perspective, can be seen as caustic and problematic. But this creates another problem. Many of the writers and thinkers Morozov dismisses w/ casual insult have valuable insights to offer IF WE GRANT THEM THIS SAME COURTESY OF BEING WILLING TO EXPERIMENTALLY ADOPT THEIR PERSPECTIVE FIRST. Morozov is very quick to dismiss the sum of a thinkers work after one instance of internet centrism or solutionism and thereafter anything they say, regardless of context, is viewed only through the lens of these problems.I was especially repelled by his treatment of Jane McGonigal. I witnessed him mocking her traumatic brain injury on Twitter and then read his admission that he had dismissed her work in applying game mechanics to social problems without fully reading it. (This will be completely obvious to anyone who has read both of their work. Morozov makes the easy McGonigal=banal-game-mechanics assumption without considering her work w/ long games and social projects. He absolutely mistakes ends for means in her work.)Beyond these problems of tone and depth of scholarship, Morozov is still required reading for people thinking about technology in society. I find myself agreeing with his conclusions, while being often repelled by his methods. With more work, patience, and above all, manners, I'm certain Morozov will become a respected voice in the field. As it stands, he's a really smart infant terrible who doesn't realize that many of the people he's dismissing aren't as stupid as his shallow dismissal of their work makes it seem.(Tentatively recommended for general technology readers. Must read for people who have an interest in technology ethics.)
What do You think about To Save Everything, Click Here: The Folly Of Technological Solutionism (2013)?
Pretty well written. I disagreed with almost everything he argues, but it did make me think.
—BOOZESEXSUNDRY
Great writer but, while he makes some good points, the underlying thesis is kind of iffy.
—ghmhf23
