Technology as Magic: The Triumph of the Irrational by Richard Stivers
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Textbook (Paperback - REPRINT)
- 256pp
- Sales Rank: 531,634
Textbook Information
- ISBN-13: 9780826413673
- Edition Description: REPRINT
- Edition Number: 1
- Pub. Date: August 2001
- Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group
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Product Details
- Pub. Date: August 2001
- Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group
- Format: Textbook Paperback, 256pp
- Sales Rank: 531,634
- ISBN-13: 9780826413673
- ISBN: 0826413676
- Edition Number: 1
- Edition Description: REPRINT
Library Journal
In this convincing and lucid study, Stivers (sociology, Illinois State) warns against our current veneration of technology. Too many of us, he argues, believe that technology can rationally control nature and alleviate boredom and unhappiness. In reality, he suggests, technology has a lot in common with the irrational and ineffective methods of magic. Likewise, Stivers mourns the increasing reliance on quantitative, statistics-based information instead of meaningful qualitative evaluation and fears that individual creativity, compassion, and freedom are being sacrificed: "Advertising ritualizes happiness (as consumption); therapy ritualizes health (as adjustment)." Persuasive and erudite, this work is recommended for larger public and academic libraries.--Suzanne W. Wood, SUNY Coll. of Technology, Alfred Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
Customer Reviews
Technology as Magic: The Triumph of the Irrationalby Anonymous
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December 18, 2002: This book does more than simply expose our childish faith in technology. As in his previous works, Professor Stivers brilliantly manages to synthesisze the theoretical assertions of classical and contemporary scholars, and mounts a scathing critique of the modern technological civilization. The originality and importance of this book are without rival in the social sciences. Having been a student of Professor Stivers' for the last few years, I am certain that he is one of the most intelligent and genuine people I will ever know. This book is only one of his many important contributions to the field of sociology.
Technology as Magic: The Triumph of the Irrationalby Anonymous
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February 20, 2000: This book opened up a new line of thought for me regarding the way that technology affects our lives, from computers and television, to therapy and consumerism. It's a difficult read, because it's so tightly packed, but he has set my reading list for the next several weeks. I'd recommend it to anyone seriously concerned with the direction Western society is heading.
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