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But the one thing that is beyond the reach of pure technology is the construction and maintenance of social interactions. What technology can do, however, is make it easier for humans to interact over greater distances and around obstacles. "Our humanity," Levy writes, "is the most precious thing we have." Levy, who is a professor in the department of hypermedia at the University of Paris, then predicts that we will take greater control of that value and everything related to it as we use technology to organize ourselves into what he calls Living Cities. Here, physical location is less important than the interactions of its members, and not surprisingly, the lack of territorialities will challenge present methods of governance. Levy insists we are in the early moments of an historical paradigm shift of the magnitude of the Renaissance. And yet he avoids wild utopianism, keeping a clear eye on the realities and challenges inherent in any great transformation, complete with ample opportunities for things to go wrong. What emerges, however, is a different way of viewing the possible future, and plenty of reasons for asking why this utopian vision isn't attainable. From Book News, Inc. L<'e>vy (hypermedia, U. of Paris-VIII) describes a model of the emergence of a collective intelligence through the technology of cyberspace, exploring metaphysical and utopian issues related to the impact of computers on society and culture. The model draws on 10th- century Islamic mysticism. For general readers and professionals interested in computers, virtual reality, and philosophy. Originally published in French in 1995 under the title , <'E>ditions La D<'e>couverte/>, Paris. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR Choice "A poetic and pleasurable read." --This text refers to the Paperback edition. New Scientist, Richard Barbrook Lévy's book is important because it advocates an alternative future for the Net. As a French intellectual, he doesn't accept free market dogmas. This approach is not simply morally preferable. It is also a precondition for any coherent analysis of what's really happening in the Net. Book Description "Collective Intelligence is incredible. Lvy's ideas shine through like a supernova at the human heart of cyberspace." -Mark Pesce, Cyberspace researcher and theorist, co-creator of VRML (Virtual Reality Markup Language) The number of travelers along the information superhighway is increasing at a rate of 10 percent a month. How will this communications revolution affect our culture and society? Pierre Lvy shows how the unfettered exchange of ideas in cyberspace has the potential to liberate us from the social and political hierarchies that have stood in the way of mankind's advancement. Anthropologist, historian, sociologist, and philosopher, Lvy writes with a depth of scholarship and imaginative insight rare among media critics. At once a profound historical analysis of the development of human culture and a blueprint for the future, Collective Intelligence is a visionary work. --This text refers to the Paperback edition. Book Info Shows how unfettered exchange of ideas in cyberspace has the potential to liberate us from the social and political hierarchies that have stood in the way of mankind's advance. A unique contribution to the growing interest & debate on network communication and the impact on human cognition. DLC: Information technology - Social aspects. About the Author Pierre Lvy is a professor in the Department of Hypermedia at the University of Paris-VIII, scientific advisor to the TriVium company, and member of the advisory board of the Pompidou Center's Virtual Review. He holds advanced degrees in sociology, the history of science, and the sciences of information and communication, and has published numerous works in French on new technologies. --This text refers to the Paperback edition. |
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