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 stimulating Nov 22, 2009
A must for all to read to get a better understanding of the world past anad the world yet to come. We are living in exciting times
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Electrification and Cloud Computing Oct 25, 2009
The comparison between the rise of electricity as a utility and the recent explosion of cloud computing (SaaS, IaaS, etc) is a fascinating read. The parallels between everyone generating their own electricity, the consolidation of the industry, the delivery (aka, API's), and the economics behind the shift seem almost eerie. Even if you don't plan to read the entire book, make sure to scan the first five chapters -- well worth your time.
 Informs the dilettante how the internet may shape--and is shaping--the near future Sep 07, 2009
This review is for everyday technophiles who use computers and the internet everyday and are fascinated them. I believe this is the author's target audience and felt the level of technological jargon and esoteric computer vocabulary was kept to a minimum, accessible to a large audience.
The Big Switch by N. Carr is a highly entertaining read that within a couple hundred pages gives a history lesson, an optimistic outlook on the rapid pace of technology innovation, and then a somewhat startling and negative tone about how the reality of the internet is not what idealists envisioned. I appreciate the short length of this book, because technology changes so quickly it is pretty hard to find material that ultimately makes predictions about the future, like this book, that doesn't already feel a little outdated. I would say read this book sooner than later. My foremost critique is the author at times does not go into enough depth about a particular topic as I would like, but I believe this to be expected in this kind of writing. For instance, the "Semantic Web" is referenced once without going into detail and I only have a general sense of what the "Semantic Web" is, so the reference was a bit feeble to me.
To summarize in a bit more detail, the book begins with a comparison made between the revolution of electricity during Edison's time and the revolution of the internet today. As if showing us history repeats itself, Carr, makes many comparisons between the paths both industries took towards changing everyday life forever. Of course electricity and the internet are not the same and Carr addresses this. I know near nothing about the history of electricity and found this part of the book very interesting.
Carr then paints a picture of what internet and business is today and where it is going and gives many sources of inspiration and optimism from influential figures of 19th century electricity and 21st century internet. Then the book begins to rain on the parade Carr was seemingly leading. Building in a crescendo of warning, Carr gives example after example of how the internet is being exploited by businesses and governments to keep track of every move we make on the internet in order to give these entities an unprecedented amount of control over the individual. Promulgating "Big Brother" is real in the chapter "Spider Web" and Google is working on creating a HAL like intelligence in the chapter "iGod". I didn't see this change of tone coming throughout the beginning of the book, but kinda liked it. I don't know if Carr was trying to avoid sounding either glass-half-empty or glass-half-full, but the way the chapters are ordered left me with a rather ominous feeling.
I thought the short epilogue gave a valiant effort to wrap things up. I'll quote this:
"All technological change is generational change. The full power and consequence of a new technology are unleashed only when those who have grown up with it become adults and begin to push their outdated parents to the margins. As the older generations die, they take with them their knowledge of what was lost when the new technology arrived, and only the sense of what was gained remains. It's in this way that progress covers its tracks, perpetually refreshing the illusion that where we are is where we were meant to be."
In the end it was a fun read and I'm glad I did it. After reading it I just had to write a review and contribute. Amazon.com, via the internet, gives me a forum to voice my opinion and I give Amazon a small amount of free labor that when added to the contributions of thousands adds up to the awesomeness that is customer reviews, which influences all of us who visit the site about our purchases and makes Amazon a lot of money all at the same. This book led me to see things this way.
Interesting and informative Aug 30, 2009
The Big Switch was an enlightening experience into the past, present and future of the computing world. Carr gives excellent insight into the future we can expect if present trends continue.
The beginning of the book focuses on the history of modern technology and how Edison and electricity changed our entire way of life thus paving the way for the computer and the Internet. Throughout, references to the history of computers are excellent. The book then focuses on the development of cloud computing in an easy to understand format which is quite revealing.
Almost the entire last half of the book is dedicated to several bleak and somewhat frightening chapters on how the Internet has made our lives less safe, and has led to our complete loss of personal privacy. Carr goes on to make interesting philosophical predictions on where this is all leading, which is a bit unnerving, but defiantly thought provoking.
I found the book well documented with references from the leading minds in a wide variety of fields and a must read for anyone interested in computers and their influence on the world we live in.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A Truly Great Book Aug 07, 2009
One of the best books I've ever read. It took me a long time to finish because there was so much worth savoring. It's jam-packed with insight. It includes a lot of interesting history and historical parallels, and a lot of astute observations on how technology relates to many aspects of our changing culture and society. Nick Carr has a keen understanding of technology AND business in the real world. The book is extremely well-researched and documented. The writing is engaging, clever and harmonious.
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