Synopses & Reviews
Drawing on his own expertise in the humanities and on the Web, Steven Johnson not only demonstrates how interfaces those buttons, graphics, and words on the computer screen through which we control information influence our daily lives, but also tracks their roots back to Victorian novels, early cinema, and even medieval urban planning. The result is a lush cultural and historical tableau in which today's interfaces take their rightful place in the lineage of artistic innovation. With a distinctively accessible style, Interface Culture brings new intellectual depth to the vital discussion of how technology has transformed society, and is sure to provoke wide debate in both literary and technological circles.
Review
"Interface Culture blends familiar cultural studies paradigms, a history of interface design, and sharp criticism of the state of the Web... This is one of the most cogent and accessible samples of Net theory around." The Village Voice
Review
"In Interface Culture, Steven Johnson deftly paddles against this zeitgeist by examining the machine, software, and network interfaces of the past half century in light of more archaic developments...He combines his insight and his engaging prose to achieve what so many writers fail to: make the reader feel smart by providing new tools with which to understand technology." Wired
Review
"One of the Web's intellectual heavyweights." Washington Post
Review
"A must read for avid Web browsers." USA Today
About the Author
Steven Johnson has been named one of the most influential people on Cyberspace by Newsweek, New York magazine, and Websight magazine. He is the editor-in-chief and co-founder of Feed, the award-winning on-line cultural magazine. He lives in New York City.