Synopses & Reviews
Media scholar David Shenk examines the effects of data overload on our lives, our relationships, and our culture, and offers strikingly down-to-earth insights for coping with our information infatuation.
Hailed by the New York Times as "An Indispensable guide to the big picture of technology's cultural impact", Data Smog is the most compelling and thorough rebuttal to date of the overhyping of the Information Age.
With a skillful mixture of personal essay, firsthand re-portage, and sharp analysis, Shenk illustrates the central paradox of our time -- as our world gets more complex, our responses to it become increasingly simplistic. He draws convincing links between data smog and social fragmentation, declining educational standards, political fractiousness, religious fundamentalism, and more.
But there's hope for a saner, more meaningful future, as Shenk offers a wealth of novel prescriptions -- both personal and societal -- for dispelling data smog.
"A concise, insightful, and welcome critique of the communications world we have created". -- Chicago Tribune
"Four-star rating... well argued, witty and tightly written...crisply argued books like this can help us see the future more clearly". -- Detroit Free Press
Synopsis
Media scholar ( and Internet Enthusiast ) David Shenk examines the troubling effects of information proliferation on our bodies, our brains, our relationships, and our culture, then offers strikingly down-to-earth insights for coping with the deluge.
With a skillful mixture of personal essay, firsthand reportage, and sharp analysis, Shenk illustrates the central paradox of our time: as our world gets more complex, our responses to it become increasingly simplistic. He draws convincing links between data smog and stress distraction, indecision, cultural fragmentation, social vulgarity, and more.
But there's hope for a saner, more meaningful future, as Shenk offers a wealth of novel prescriptions—both personal and societal—for dispelling data smog.
Synopsis
A media scholar examines the effects of data overload on our lives, our relationships, and our culture, and offers strikingly down-to-earth insights for coping with our information infatuation.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 225-247) and index.
About the Author
David Shenk, a former Freedom Forum fellow, has written for Wired, Harper's, The New Republic, the New York Times and the Washington Post, and is a commentator for National Public Radio's "All Things Considered."