Description
Book SynopsisThe New Social Disease is about how we personalize our computers and associated technologies while depersonalizing others and ourselves.
Trade ReviewLaura, Marchant, and Smith have undertaken a huge task in successfully drawing together several large, often divergent areas of investigation into a cohesive whole. They provide a systematic discussion of the work of Rifkin and other on the undue reliance on technology contributing to technostress/anxiety, perceptual changes of the time, shorter attention spans , separation from the natural world, depersonalization and loss of social capital. The authors do a fine job of illustrating how computechnology is value-laden. -- Professor Roberta Hollander, Howard University, Washington
The authors provide philosophical reflections on the technologies of relationships and education and have presented a strong perspective and impressive arguments to support their position. They address an important topic, give clear philosophical rationales and their conclusions are well researched and well stated.
This powerful book serves to bring the discussion of computechnology a moral dimension, which has been sorely lacking. It is a book which certainly encourages both philosophical reflection and personal action. The final message engenders a sense of hopefulness urging us to re-engage with our natural world, with each other and with our inner human spirit. This book should be read by everyone interested in the changing face of our cultural identity, but it also has a special message for technophiles who generally read the philosophical literature on the topic with their eyes wide shut. -- Dr. Giovanni De Duonni, University of L'Aquila
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 Acknowledgements Chapter 4 Introduction: High Tech Depersonalization: Has Technology Stolen Your Soul? Chapter 5 1: Technological Connections: Are You Too Plugged In? Chapter 6 2: Technological Texturing of the Modern World Chapter 7 3: Technologization of Education Chapter 8 4: Depersonalization and the Internet Chapter 9 5: Incivility Chapter 10 6: Exploring the Implications of Depersonalization for Mental Health Chapter 11 7: Hidden Dangers: The Physical Impacts Chapter 12 8: Educational and Social Ramifications of Computer-Based Temporality Chapter 13 9: Reconceptualizing Knowledge as Connectivity, Expresses Empathetically Chapter 14 10: Towards a Better Life: Survival of the Soul Chapter 15 Bibliography Chapter 16 Index
