From the Publisher
In this perceptive and provocative look at everything from computer software that requires faster processors and more support staff to antibiotics that breed resistant strains of bacteria, Edward Tenner offers a virtual encyclopedia of what he calls "revenge effects"--the unintended consequences of the mechanical, chemical, biological, and medical forms of ingenuity that have been hallmarks of the progressive, improvement-obsessed modern age. Tenner shows why our confidence in technological solutions may be misplaced, and explores ways in which we can better survive in a world where despite technology's advances--and often because of them--"reality is always gaining on us." For anyone hoping to understand the ways in which society and technology interact, Why Things Bite Back is indispensable reading. "A bracing critique of technological determinism in both its utopian and dystopian forms...No one who wants to think clearly about our high-tech future can afford to ignore this book."--Jackson Lears, Wilson Quarterly
Publishers Weekly
An examination of technology's unforeseenand often unpleasantconsequences, which PW called "thought-provoking." (July)
Library Journal
Believers in Murphy's Law-"if something can go wrong, it will"-might think this book proves it. Historian of science Tenner, who holds a visiting research appointment at Princeton University's Department of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, describes the "revenge effect," an adverse consequence occurring when "new structures, devices, and organisms react with real people in real situations in ways we could not foresee." There are innumerable examples, e.g., sophisticated medical procedures save lives but are expensive and leave patients vulnerable to other unpleasant complications, technologies to improve agricultural yield inadvertently lead to erosion, and office computerization has fostered a new epidemic of carpal tunnel syndrome. Tenner chronicles dozens of such cases, which are seen as almost inevitable owing to the complexity of many systems. With hindsight, some of his examples seem obvious-for example, traffic jams resulted from the mass production of automobiles-and Tenner's point is clear by the third chapter. Still, his conclusion that we must recognize revenge effects and act earlier to avert them is worth heeding. For general science collections.-Gregg Sapp, Univ. of Miami Lib.
Booknews
Tenner (Princeton U.) examines the unintended consequences of mechanical, chemical, biological, and medical advances in the 20th century. He looks at aspects of a pattern of paradox and "revenge effects," detailing phenomenon such as low-tar cigarettes that discourage quitting, and the occurrence of the Chernobyl meltdown during a safety test. Of interest to technophiles, technophobes, and general readers. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Duncan
Early in Chapter 1 (entitled, by the way, "Ever Since Frankenstein"), Why Things Bite Back sets forth its central premise and
agenda: "Wherever we turn we face the ironic unintended consequences of mechanical, chemical, biological, and medical
ingenuity -- revenge effects, they might be called." The book surveys these revenge effects of modern technology across a wide
spectrum of contexts and applications, organizing them under the general headings of health care, the environment, agriculture
and pest control, the computerized office, and sports.
The two chapters on computers and information systems are disappointingly sketchy. They focus primarily on repetitive stress
injuries, eyestrain, software viruses, and the so-called "productivity paradox" (which, of course, is not turning out to be such a
paradox after all). Some obvious targets for an in-depth analysis -- the Y2K crisis and fly-by-wire systems -- are completely
ignored. The computing chapters, unlike the rest of the book, have distinct neo-Luddite overtones, and are not even consistent
internally, criticizing TEX on one hand and graphical user interfaces on the other. However, the bibliography provides a good
starting point for further reading in this area.
Probably the most telling commentary on Why Things Bite Back is the time it took me to slog my way through it. I bought it on
the strength of the title and clever cover photo, which unfortunately turned out to be its most compelling features. The author
plods through superficial, diffident examinations of a seemingly endless litany of revenge effects, giving a discussion of chronic
illness equal time with the economic impact of high-tech tennis rackets and golf balls. I'm normally a very fast reader, but I
picked this book up and put it down for over a year before I finally finished it off.
Revenge effects are fascinating, pervasive, and critically important, but they need a more passionate, more insightful treatment
than they found here. -- Ray Duncan
Ray Duncan
Why Things Bite Back
Early in Chapter 1 (entitled, by the way, "Ever Since Frankenstein"), Why Things Bite Back sets forth its central premise and
agenda: "Wherever we turn we face the ironic unintended consequences of mechanical, chemical, biological, and medical ingenuity
-- revenge effects, they might be called." The book surveys these revenge effects of modern technology across a wide spectrum
of contexts and applications, organizing them under the general headings of health care, the environment, agriculture and pest
control, the computerized office, and sports.
The two chapters on computers and information systems are disappointingly sketchy. They focus primarily on repetitive stress
injuries, eyestrain, software viruses, and the so-called "productivity paradox" (which, of course, is not turning out to be such a
paradox after all). Some obvious targets for an in-depth analysis -- the Y2K crisis and fly-by-wire systems -- are completely
ignored. The computing chapters, unlike the rest of the book, have distinct neo-Luddite overtones, and are not even consistent
internally, criticizing TEX on one hand and graphical user interfaces on the other. However, the bibliography provides a good
starting point for further reading in this area.
Probably the most telling commentary on
Why Things Bite Back, is the time it took me to slog my way through it. I bought it on the
strength of the title and clever cover photo, which unfortunately turned out to be its most compelling features. The author plods
through superficial, diffident examinations of a seemingly endless litany of revenge effects, giving a discussion of chronic illness
equal time with the economic impact of high-tech tennis rackets and golf balls. I'm normally a very fast reader, but I picked this
book up and put it down for over a year before I finally finished it off.
Revenge effects are fascinating, pervasive, and critically important, but they need a more passionate, more insightful treatment
than they found here.--Dr.Dobb's
Electronic Review of Computer Books
Ray Duncan
Contrary by [Un]Nature
Early in Chapter 1 (entitled, by the way, "Ever Since Frankenstein"), Why Things Bite Back sets forth its central premise and agenda: "Wherever we turn we face the ironic unintended consequences of mechanical, chemical, biological, and medical ingenuity -- revenge effects, they might be called." The book surveys
these revenge effects of modern technology across a wide spectrum of contexts and applications, organizing them under the general headings of health care, the environment, agriculture and pest control, the computerized office, and sports.
The two chapters on computers and information systems are disappointingly sketchy. They focus primarily on repetitive stress injuries, eyestrain, software viruses, and the so-called "productivity paradox" (which, of course, is not turning out to be such a paradox after all). Some obvious targets for an in-depth analysis -- the Y2K crisis and fly-by-wire systems -- are completely ignored. The computing chapters, unlike the rest of the book, have distinct neo-Luddite overtones, and are not even consistent internally, criticizing TEX on one hand and graphical user interfaces on the other. However, the bibliography provides a good starting point for further reading in this area.
Probably the most telling commentary on Why Things Bite Back is the time it took me to slog my way through it. I bought it on the strength of the title and clever cover photo, which unfortunately turned out to be its most compelling features. The author plods through superficial, diffident examinations of a seemingly endless litany of revenge effects, giving a discussion of chronic illness equal time with the economic impact of high-tech tennis rackets and golf balls. I'm normally a very fast reader, but I picked this book up and put it down for over a year before I finally finished it off.
Revenge effects are fascinating, pervasive, and critically important, but they need a more passionate, more insightful treatment than they found here.--Dr. Dobb's Electronic Review of Computer Books
Kirkus Reviews
What do football helmets and laser printers have in common? According to Tenner, they exemplify a new sort of technological backlash that turns the promise of progress on its head.
Tenner, a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, argues that progress in numerous fields of endeavor has been undercut by unanticipated "revenge effects," which he describes as "ironic unintended consequences" of human ingenuity. Examples are myriad: antibiotics that promise the cure of age-old disease but end up breeding resistant microorganisms; imported wildlife that competes too successfully with native species; computer printers that create better-looking documents—and force everyone to desktop-publish memos that would convey the same information if handwritten. The examples are organized under several headings, from medicine and environmental disasters to pests (both animal and vegetable), computerization, and sports (which, interestingly enough, offers some of the best evidence of the thesis). The football helmet, designed to reduce injuries, actually encourages a more violent style of play, creating a new and more serious kind of injury. While Tenner claims to be neither pro- nor anti-technology, he often seems to press his thesis beyond useful limits, as in his observation that those who dwell near wooded areas must now be on guard against tick bites; this is neither a new phenomenon nor an effect of technology. He has clearly done an impressive amount of research, but his footnotes (which attempt to cover whole paragraphs in one sweep) do not let the reader easily follow his research; often an interesting and provocative quote will go unattributed. And a convoluted style often forces a reader to reread an argument that could have been more simply stated.
Tenner's subject is undoubtedly interesting, and his examples will strike close to home for many readers; the book would be even better if he had not tried to inflate his useful observations into universal truths.
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