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
Well
Toussaint Louverture
Diaspora
Six Easy Pieces
Kingpin
The Undoing Project
Wake Up to the Joy of You
Carry on, Jeeves
Kelly
Where Mountains Roar
Where Wizards Stay Up Late
Uncommon Measure
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The Right Call
Crossing the Chasm
Anthropic Bias
Intellectuals and Race
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
From Headless Chicken to Golden Goose
Talent
Forged in Crisis
The Viral Storm
Tent Life in Siberia
Lying
Essays and Lectures
The French Revolution and What Went Wrong
Diffusion of Innovations
Steve Jobs & The NeXT Big Thing
The Plant Paradox
The Kite Runner
The Origin of Wealth
How Nature Works
On The Move
Scale
Little Leaders
Fahrenheit 451
Burn
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover
The Dragons of Eden
Law, Legislation, and Liberty
The Closing of the American Mind
Fortune's Formula
How Will You Measure Your Life?
Shantaram
Architects of the Web
The Innovators Dilemma
The Great Revolt
Diaminds
Our Final Invention
Layered Money
The Marked Children
On Being Certain: Believing You Are Right When You're Not
The Fabric of Reality
Right Thing, Right Now
The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Whiskey Know-It-All
Mohammed and Charlemagne
The Ambiguities of Experience
Failing Forward
Total Freedom
The Hunger Games
Academically Adrift
American Exceptionalism
The Red Queen
Educated
Leadership the Outward Bound Way
Pandemic 1918
The Persian Expedition
Simple Rules
Empire
The Dog Stars
Dynasty
Competing in the Age of AI
More Heat Than Light
The Course of Love
A Mathematician's Lament
Waking Up
The Back of the Napkin
Glass
Masters of Doom
Success
The Coming Wave
Exponential Organizations
Pasture Perfect
The Robotics Primer
The Martians of Science
This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends
Rainbows End
Obsession
The Compleat Strategyst
All The Light We Cannot See
Guns, Germs, and Steel
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln
The Passage of Power
Eating The Big Fish
Plants of the Gods
The Accidental Universe
Permaculture: A Designer's Manual
Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar
The Man Who Knew Infinity
Ordinary Men