Life in Code: A Personal History of Technology
by Ellen Ullman is an excellent nonfiction read. This book will get the
brain cells churning as you think about technology and how it has changed you
and the world. The author was in San Francisco in the 1970s as a computer
programmer. She worked in this predominant boys club and her perspective is
interesting. Her viewpoint as an early coder looks at the sweep of technology,
cultural, and financial revolution. She writes in very clear concise concepts
and terms and is very thoughtful in her assessment.
p.83 At the time, I had my reservations about the web,
but not so much about the private, dreamlike state it offered. It seemed like
surfing was a sometimes interesting, sometimes trivial waste of time, but in a
social sense it seemed harmless. Something changed….Fall of
1998 she saw a huge billboard in San Francisco that said, “now the world does
revolve around you.”
p.87 Companies now make you believe that only you
can take care of yourself. The lure of personal service is being withdrawn. In
the internet age, under the pressure of globalized capitalization and its
slimmed down profit margins, only the very wealthy will be served by actual
human beings. The rest of us must make do with web pages, and feel happy about
it.
p. 243 In regards to programming, one must develop
a high tolerance for failure, learn to move forward from discouragement, find a
ferocious determination, a near passionate obsession to solve a problem,
meanwhile summoning the pleasures of the hunt.
p.303 I wanted to race in and shake young people out of
their internet dreams. I wanted them to see the damage the web is doing to our
culture, banishing privacy, widening the divide between rich and poor,
hollowing out the middle class.
She wants folks to stay vigilant. Be aware of the good and
bad uses of the internet. Still depend on people. Try to not let the world
revolve around you.
Life in Code will push some buttons if
you read it.
That does sound like a very interesting read. And that except on p 243 could equally apply to writing, no?
ReplyDelete'Try not to let the world revolve around you' - seems sensible advice.
indeed her approach was very practical, but with a heart too. You would find this book quite interesting
DeleteI bet she has lots of valid insider views. Like they say, as the world grows smaller through the Internet, it also grows more distant.
ReplyDeleteYou would find this book quite perceptive. It makes one think, and should make one go out and talk to someone!
DeleteSure has the right views, can't let the internet control everything.
ReplyDeleteExactly. She offered quite a narrative
DeleteNot being techincally minded I found this excellent rewiew totally absorbing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Joanne.
Yvonne.
And I went into the book concerned I would not understand. But her writing is clear
DeleteHi Joanne - this sounds so interesting ... I've noted to get to read at some stage ... I don't let the internet dominate me ... but it's a very useful and education tool to be able to use effectively - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteyes, and she is practical in that regard. A very intelligent woman. I do think you'll find her book quite perceptive.
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