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yates9's review against another edition
5.0
This book presents the most accurate, balanced and robust view of the impact of technological development on this era of human culture. While many stories of singularity hit the popular press in this book the authors describe the increasing struggle we undergo to demonstrate clear value of our technological development, as culture and technology become entwined.
Basically the new human condition does not have easy answers and we are immersed in processes that transform who we are through our tools according to path dependent processes. The singularity might in effect be more a trip through a technological muck, where benefits are hard to understand than a new transhuman superman.
Basically the new human condition does not have easy answers and we are immersed in processes that transform who we are through our tools according to path dependent processes. The singularity might in effect be more a trip through a technological muck, where benefits are hard to understand than a new transhuman superman.
evolvemind's review against another edition
5.0
This serendipitous used bookstore find is one of the best resources I'm aware of to explain how degree of systemic complexity affects the potential to (a) comprehend the system's dynamics, (b) predict effects and outcomes of status quo and of potential interventions, and (c) forensically make sense of effects and outcomes, including attribution of causation. Even if you have zero interest in human technological dependencies and augmentations, the book is worth reading for it's thorough, clear coverage of levels of analysis and levels of complexity, including many helpful examples. Some reviewers criticize the authors' choice of three levels of complexity. The authors clearly explain their three system levels are not the only conceivable conceptual framework to structure discussions of systemic complexity. Their choice, however, does make sense as it offers sufficient gradation of systems complexity to support their analyses and to get across how complexity has an inverse relationship with our ability to understand dynamics and control outcomes. Once you get their core points and appreciate their examples, you'll gain valuable insight into challenges inherent in systems of intermediate and extreme complexity, like the economy or a large social system, can't be predictably resolved or improved through the sort of simplistic cause-and-effect 'engineering' thinking that can work at Level 1. Every systems engineer, politically engaged person, science/evidence-oriented thinker, and cocksure opinion holder should read this. Also, anyone interested in the limits of knowledge will find the book of great value.
mburnamfink's review
4.0
Disclosure time: Sarewitz and Allenby are two of my favorite professors, and I generally believe that they're very smart. That said...
The Techno-Human Condition starts by examining transhumanism, the belief that human being can and should improve their bodies using technology, and the common arguments for and against it. Allenby and Sarewitz soon drop the idea, as both sides hold flawed and simplistic views about technology and its ability to solve problems. They advance a theory of Level I, II, and III technologies. Level I technologies imply a simple cause-and-effect relationship: cars allow you to get from Point A to B easily. Level II, technosocial systems, have more complex effects: many cars create traffic and a lack of parking. Level III, Earth systems, are almost unknowable in their implications: cars redesign cities and ways of life, create foreign entanglements in pursuit of gas, and change the composition of the atmosphere with unknown effects.
Coping with Level III technological conditions is the aim of the book. Allenby and Sarewitz propose flexibility and options above all else. Since the effects of technology are prima facia unknowable, we must be ready to change direction at any moment, not to forestall debate, and to always be prepared to reflexively examine our values. This is an ambitious program, and its ambition and ambiguity weakens its real-world relevance--people with simple solutions will always implement their plans faster than those with more complex ideas. But it also might be the only way to survival.
The Techno-Human Condition starts by examining transhumanism, the belief that human being can and should improve their bodies using technology, and the common arguments for and against it. Allenby and Sarewitz soon drop the idea, as both sides hold flawed and simplistic views about technology and its ability to solve problems. They advance a theory of Level I, II, and III technologies. Level I technologies imply a simple cause-and-effect relationship: cars allow you to get from Point A to B easily. Level II, technosocial systems, have more complex effects: many cars create traffic and a lack of parking. Level III, Earth systems, are almost unknowable in their implications: cars redesign cities and ways of life, create foreign entanglements in pursuit of gas, and change the composition of the atmosphere with unknown effects.
Coping with Level III technological conditions is the aim of the book. Allenby and Sarewitz propose flexibility and options above all else. Since the effects of technology are prima facia unknowable, we must be ready to change direction at any moment, not to forestall debate, and to always be prepared to reflexively examine our values. This is an ambitious program, and its ambition and ambiguity weakens its real-world relevance--people with simple solutions will always implement their plans faster than those with more complex ideas. But it also might be the only way to survival.
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