About this title: In this eye-opening look at the new computer revolution and its consequences, Nicholas Carr explains why computing is changing and what this means for all of us. A hundred years ago, companies stopped producing their own power and plugged into the newly built electric grid. The cheap power pumped out by electricity providers not only changed how businesses operated but also brought the modern world into existence. Today a similar revolution is under way as companies dismantle their private computer systems and tap into rich services delivered over the Internet. Computing is turning into a ...
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Description: Fine. 0393333949 NEW/UNREAD! ! ! Text is Clean and Unmarked! --Be Sure to Compare Seller Feedback and Ratings before Purchasing--Has a small black ink mark on outside edge of pages. May have light shelf wear to cover from storage, if any. read more
Description: Fine. 0393062287 NEW/UNREAD! ! ! Text is Clean and Unmarked! --Be Sure to Compare Seller Feedback and Ratings before Purchasing--Has a small black ink mark on outside edge of pages. May have light shelf wear to cover from storage, if any. read more
Edition: First Printing
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: W. W. Norton, New York
Date Published: 2008
Description: Near Fine in Near Fine jacket. 9&1/2" by 6&1/2" Review copy. Gray spine on light gray boards, black title, clean and tight, 278 pages; jacket is clean and bright. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc
Date Published: 2009-01-18
ISBN-13:9780393333947ISBN:0393333949
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780393333947. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Co
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780393333947ISBN:0393333949
Description: Fine. EXCELLENT CONDITION-READ ONCE CAREFULLY-TRUSTED DEVON (UK) BASED SELLER-IN STOCK-SENT WITHIN 1 WORKING DAY-AVAILABLE BY EMAIL FOR QUERIES-NO QUIBBLE REFUND IF NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED- read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc
Date Published: 2008-01-30
ISBN-13:9780393062281ISBN:0393062287
Description: NEW. Hardcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780393062281. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780393062281ISBN:0393062287
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Norton
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780393062281ISBN:0393062287
Description: Very Good in Very Good jacket. 6.5" x 9.5" H/B. 278 pages, condition is Very Good. A hundred years ago, companies stopped generating their own power with steam engines and dynamos and plugged into the newly built electric grid. The cheap power pumped out by electric utilities didn't just change how businesses operate. It set off a chain reaction of economic and social transformations that brought the modern world into existence. Today, a similar revolution is under way. Hooked up to the ... read more
Edition: Reprint
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780393333947ISBN:0393333949
Description: In this lucid and compelling look at the new computer revolution and the coming transformation on the economy, Carr weaves together history, economics, and technology to explain why computing is changing--and what it means. read more
"Carr uses parallels between the early days of electricity and computers to explore the advent of cloud computing ("computing as a utility"). He sees much promise but also voices some concerns about the replacement of workers with software, social fragmentation as we only link to those with whom we agree, and security and privacy issues. The analogies between electricity and computers are the most interesting part of the book; the other chapters just repeat what many commentators have already said."
"This book was a fascinating comparison between the history of electricity (and how it became a utility and changed our world) and what the author sees coming down the pipeline for the internet. We can already see some of the functions of "internet as a utility" in play now, with software as a service and cloud computing. Some of the more interesting parts of the book are where he talks about the societal ramifications of inexpensive utilities: the examples given for electricity hint at the scale of what could be coming with the internet as utility. As a librarian, it was disheartening to see him trace the downfall of journalism as an example where the internet has changed things (and not necessarily for the better); that we can expect to see less in-depth, investigative reporting and more user-generated content as news features. Will this mean the end of authoritative sources, or simply that, even more than now, better information will be available only to those who can afford it?
As a side note, he also makes a good case for studying math, which is being used to do fascinating (and frightening) things on the internet regarding identifying and tracking people (even in "anonymous" settings). Time to embrace the reality that my idea of privacy is a sad delusion (and I'm only 10 years behind Scott McNealy's pronouncement "You have zero privacy anyway. Get over it.")."
"A facile book, a summary rather than a treatise of Internet-culture thinking. Carr predicts something possibly either apocalyptic or utopian, but doesn't offer analysis or insight or a unique conclusion."
"Author Nicholas Carr's insightful and easily accessible book, "The Big Switch: Rewiring the World from Edison to Google," discusses the changes taking place in business, society, and culture due to the rapid development of computer technology across the globe.
Carr uses the electrification of America as a historical reference point to show readers how a new technology can revolutionize every aspect of a society - from factory workers' wages and socioeconomic classes to family cohesion and the social aspects of housework. Carr than applies the lessons learned during the electrification transformation to the computer revolution and, in particular, the Internet.
Issues such as energy, privacy, the personalization of search engines, terrorism, and the possibility of Artificial Intelligence created by the information gleaned from our search keywords, keystrokes, and purchases are all discussed in this compact text. At just over 230 pages, the author gives a concise exploration of many of the changes happening to society because of the "World Wide Computer." Many of the topics could easily morph into its own book, but Carr does a great job at giving each a fair amount of text and moving on.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the impact the Internet and the information age will have on our way of life."
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