Review: FutureHype: The Myths of Tech
Author: Bob Seidensticker
ISBN: 1576753700
In an age when there is great anticipation about the wonders of modern technology, Bob Seidensticker encourages us to step back and put everything in a more realistic perspective or, as he more aptly puts it, we should be vaccinated against hype.
Seidensticker’s main topic on FutureHype: The Myths of Technological Change is that the pace of technological change does not increase exponentially. According to Seidensticker, although we are living in an era of rapid change, this does not imply that we are the only ones who have experienced this phenomenon. In earlier times people had their own examples of rapid change and to discover if our times are truly unique, it is necessary to compare the social change of today with that of the past. In fact, as Seidensticker warns us, “the popular perception of modern technology is bloated and out of step with reality.”
Divided into two parts, the first book illustrates how we fall into the trap of viewing technology incorrectly and myopically. Seidensticker underscores his arguments with several concrete examples that are developed throughout this first section.
As an example, we are reminded that a technology can be innovative, but the product we build from that technology does not necessarily have to be revolutionary, especially if our predictions are misplaced. It must be remembered that predictions are often more of a picture of the present than of the future, and there is often the danger of careless extrapolation.
The Internet can provide us with a great deal of information, however, this will lead us to be better informed. Probably not, as the downside is that much of the information is unreliable and garbage.
One of the exaggerations that we are all bombarded with on a daily basis is that we must blindly trust modern technology and put all our eggs in one basket. This is all great until the basket is broken as we become increasingly dependent on software that is sometimes full of bugs or where we have fragile and brittle technology. All of this has undoubtedly created much of the insecurity we feel in our modern world today.
The second part of the book looks at the constancy of change in a wide spectrum of areas: popular culture, health and safety, fear and anxiety, personal technologies, and business. We have an excellent study of the history of technology that is illustrated with stories of thousands of years of human advancement that show us that technological change is not unique to our days.
FutureHype: The Myths Of Technology Change immerses readers in a challenging study in which technology should not be viewed as good, bad, or neutral. As Seidensticker states: “A technology is not inherently good or bad, but it will have an impact.” The important thing is the impact, since it will have a good side and a bad side.
Bob Seidensticker has spent 25 years in the technology industry and holds 13 software patents. His vast experience is quite evident with his insightful and compelling study, as he alerts his readers to the dangers of infatuation with technology. It also cautions us to never lose sight of the myths surrounding technology and the unexpected ways it evolves and affects our lives, while at the same time examining its downsides. In concluding his book, he leaves us with a very important warning: “Don’t be intimidated into buying a particular technology because a vendor, an advertisement, or your nephew tells you to.” Ask yourself if the product is right for you.