Why read Program or Be Programmed?

Book cover of Program or Be Programmed: Ten Commands for a Digital Age

Book description

The debate over whether the Net is good or bad for us fills the airwaves and the blogosphere. But for all the heat of claim and counter-claim, the argument is essentially beside the point: It’s here; it’s everywhere. The real question is, do we direct technology, or do we let…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Program or Be Programmed as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Michael L. Littman

Author

The book offers a stark choice: (a) Learn how computers work and the language we use to tell them what to do, or (b) Become digital roadkill.

It's a sentiment that I agree with wholeheartedly, but would never assert so aggressively. The book was written during the early days of the rise social media and the author presciently was aware that society was being overtaken, programmed, by this development. Again, I think he was totally right and our relationship with computers has degraded significantly in the years that followed. We need a revolution!

From Michael's list on The best books on computing and why it’s important and interesting.

Luc de Brabandere

Author

The impact of technology on the way we imagine, conceptualize, write, experiment, and communicate is of increasing concern to people, and has been for some time. In his book, Douglas Rushkoff says, "Do we direct technology, or do we let ourselves be directed by it and those who have mastered it?" Through a guideline, with comics to illustrate, he helps us navigate this new universe. As Francis Bacon said, "We must obey the forces we want to command!"

From Luc's list on The best books to understand how the use of computers influences the way we think.