Digital Mythologies: The Hidden Complexities of the Internet

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 219 pages
• Published by: Rutgers University Press February 2000
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0813527546
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0813527543
• Book Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 1.1 pounds

Product Review
Are we letting our techno-toys dumb us down? Are we so wrapped up with living in a sci-fi paradise--finally--that we can't see the dark, sordid side of our new lives? Writer Thomas Valovic, former editor-in-chief of Telecommunications magazine, pulls aside the curtain in Digital Mythologies: The Hidden Complexities of the Internet. The 33 short essays here shine a light on the assumptions of technophiles, which they might prefer be left in shadow: electronic democracy, scientific spirituality, and portable offices all look distinctly sinister when seen from a new perspective. What if the ritual of voting every other year commanded a different, more considered way of thinking than instantaneous direct polling? How can the materialism inherent in technological solutions transcend itself to give substance to cyber-religion? Why is it a good thing to be able to draft memos and rearrange spreadsheets while sitting in coffee shops? Valovic asks these questions relatively free from constraining values and finds in favor of technology as long as it is used intelligently for benign purposes; unfortunately, our thinking about this use is often deeply flawed. Literate, deep, and well-considered, Digital Mythologies is good medicine for those of us who are ill at ease with our brave new world. --Rob Lightner

Cliff Stoll, author of High Tech Heretic and Silicon Snake Oil
"Wondering how the Internet grew to where it is today? Think there might be side effects from our techno-obsession? Slightly skeptical of the hype surrounding the digital promised land? Thomas Valovic was there when the Internet suddenly blossomed from academic playtoy into commercialized cyberspace. As he sifts through the promises of the network, his work shows the wide gulf separating hyperbole from reality."

Reader Reviews
Digital Mythologies: The Hidden Complexities of the Internet is a collection of essays compiled by Thomas Valovic, editor in chief of Telecommunications (the magazine). In 1991, Valovic published an article for Telecommunications dealing with the Internet and how this unknown technology at the time would greatly impact the commercial market. Back in 1991, there were basically two types of users on the Internet: Defense contractors and Academics. Valovic's vision had seen the Internet shifting from a behind the scenes technology into a technology that would be widely available to public users. Little did Valovic know that this very article would eventually be a stepping stone to a digital revolution. Valovic covers a lot of issues dealing with the Internet such as Information Euphoria, Information Ennui, Web Conversations, Information Bombing, Technological Dependence and a lot more. While reading the book, there is a sense that Valovic perceives most users to be in Information Euphoria. Many of these users believe that all-important information may be found on the Internet. Valovic then counters Information Euphoria with Information Ennui. Information Ennui discusses the dark side of information technology such as Information overload and isolating one's self from the "real" world. After users go through Information Euphoria and Ennui they will eventually attain information wisdom. I totally agree with this mindset on Information technology. Although information technology has advanced tremendously in the past 5 years, the issues surrounding the use of technology are becoming quite complex. There is a keyword that Valovic had mentioned in the book and that keyword is experimentation. We in society are still learning our way through cyberspace. With more computers being connected to the Internet, there will be greater diversity and maybe greater than the Information technology problems that exist today. Many users are so in awe of the physical technology that most tends to ignore the social affects of technology. In my opinion, many users are slaves to the technology. Users want faster and better featured technology because it may make life a lot easier, but in actuality technology is making things a lot more complex. A lot more complex for new users who know nothing about computers or how to navigate while on the net. In my opinion society should be in full command of technology. There is no sense in coming up with faster and more complex technology if a majority of users cannot use it. I enjoyed most of the essays, particularly the essays on Information overload and quality of information. Right now, there are a billion web pages on the Internet. With that much information at our fingertips finding accurate information it would be hard to distinguish relative information to trash. The advent of the e-mail has given business users as well as residential users multiple communication options. Although there are multiple communicative connections, keeping track of information becomes a lot more complex and difficult. Traditional mail takes a few days to be passed between sender and receiver. E-mail on the other hand is sent quickly between sender and receiver, so message transactions should be made right away. Too many options might be difficult for businesses that allow customers to make on-line purchases or mailed deliveries. I would definitely recommend getting this book, especially to students who are studying Telecommunications. It is informative and straight to the point.