Cost: $24.99 - $16.49
(as of Jun 16,2024 09:10:44 UTC – Specifics)
Myth of the Device: Technics and Human Progress is a groundbreaking exploration of the connection concerning know-how and human modern society. In this believed-provoking e book, author Lewis Mumford challenges the notion that technological development is usually synonymous with human development, arguing that our reliance on equipment and automation may perhaps be leading us down a perilous route.
Mumford delves into the heritage of engineering, tracing its evolution from easy tools to sophisticated equipment. He highlights the techniques in which engineering has shaped human culture and influenced our values, beliefs, and behaviors. From the Industrial Revolution to the digital age, Mumford examines the impact of know-how on lifestyle, politics, and the natural environment.
By a crucial examination of the myths and ideologies that surround technological progress, Fantasy of the Equipment features a compelling perspective on the issues and prospects that technological know-how provides for human enhancement. This e book is necessary looking at for anyone interested in the intersection of technological know-how and culture, and the implications of our ever more tech-driven planet.
Derrick Jensen –
vital books
Lewis Mumford was one of the 20th century’s most important philosophers, and the two-volume set Myth of the Machine (Volume 1 is Technics and Human Development; and Volume 2 is The Pentagon of Power) are probably his most important books: the summation of his life’s work. In writing as elegant as it is clear, Mumford makes plain the death urge that has always underlain civilization, which Mumford calls “the machine,” and later “the megamachine.” This is a social structure organized not around any organic human needs, but around the “needs” of the machines that have come to characterize and control our lives. These are crucial, incisive, devastating books. I cannot praise them highly enough.
Bruce E Weber –
Extremely informative.
An excellent book by a true scholar.
Dan –
The whole story!
rather than the typical modern myths about mankind and its evolution – evoked by TV-series like “The X-Files” – this great book – as an amazing anthology of the human intellect – shows the “whole truth” ( that is not outhere by the way, but in our brains ) and how much we are going to lose of our human capacilities if we adore the principle of the machine!
Fran C. –
Kindle edition is printed sideways as images. Unable to request a refund
What gives? Kindle edition is printed sideways as images. Who approves these Kindle editions? Unable to request a refund.
Mark C –
Kindle version is all images
This is a review of the Kindle version (B0BMSHBY13) format only and not regarding actual the content of the book.I was excited that a classic like this is available on Kindle at a low cost but then realized it’s just a scan, (also landscape orientation instead of portrait) with this big gap in the middle and the pages aren’t even lined up right as you can see from the image from the desktop/web reader. At least there’s overlap and isn’t missing anything but this is rather poor quality obviously. I kind of wonder if whoever that published it on Kindle actually has the copyright.
D. Richardson –
Very intelligent and provocative
Mumford is a deep thinker; it is rewarding to delve into his brain.
Alexander White –
Every page gave insights that were intellectually stimulating. A real delight.
Shawn Potvin –
Great insights!
Elvis –
First of all, the physical quality of the delivered book and the delivery itself are not rated 1/5 but 5/5.Second, there are some nice things in the book that are “groundbreaking” and you will guaranteed learn something new by reading this book (or should I rather say by fighting the boring parts till you reach good stuff that is 1 paragraph long).Third, why 1 out of 5? Well, the title explains it all – “The death of hero.”. I was reading many works that quote Lewis Mumford and quote him in a positive way. Then I watched his interview and was a little bit surprised. He was boasting that he abandoned typewriter, because he thought that he was too dependent on it and it is bad because it is a technology so he is a slave to this technology and if it breaks then he will be defeated by this technology. But then he says in a proud way that he learned to write properly and use pen and paper properly WHICH IS ANOTHER TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY!!!!?! But he ignored that fact!Then I decided that he would probably have a better stance when writing, because writing requires a level of abstraction and analysis that was clearly missing from his interview.Guess what?! The same thing!!! All throughout the book he was explaining how the “mega-machine” is bad and how it forces us to do things and forces us to desire things, but then at the end he admires Leonardo da Vinci by writing how good and abstracted from the mega-machine he was when buying birds at the local market and releasing them. Guess what?! IS NOT BUYING THINGS an furthering the economy and the mega-machine FURTHERS the mega-machine so the MORE birds are captured and sold?!!!?!First and last book from Lewis that I will read in my life.
JM –
I was reading some ‘new’ research on the Neantherthal’s diet, but Mumford talked about this almost 50 years earlier. While reading this book I kept thinking what a wonderful documentary series this would make. If you want to understand where we came from I highly recommend this book. The scholarship is from a era when academics could actually write.
Jamie B –
Better than Sapiens and Homo Deus. Dense but full of wild insight.