You are not a gadget
by Jaron Lanier · first published 2010
50% recommend43% neutral7% critical
Why HN recommends it
Humanistic critique of digital culture and social media, covering how platforms flatten individuality, plus copyright and MIDI. Suits readers wanting technology philosophy, not a programming book.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
A computer-age visionary argues that the Internet has failed to live up to its early promises, sharing cautionary perspectives on the Web 2.0 design concept while optimistically evaluating the Internet as a positive cultural vehicle.
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…strictly enforced copyright that doesn't involve de-facto monopolies, rampant advertising, and spying on people through their computers. Jaron Lanier goes into these issues in insightful depth in his book You Are Not a Gadget.
on “Copying is an act of love. Please copy and share” ↗Just finished Little Brother, in the middle of The War of the Worlds right now, and I plan to tackle Cryptonomicon once the semester starts winding down. I also read You Are Not A Gadget by Jaron Lanier recently, which is a great read.
on “Ask HN: What are you reading right now?” ↗Somewhat tangential, but Jaron Lanier has some interesting comments/criticisms of MIDI in his book "You Are Not a Gadget". I'd quote him, but it would go against the spirit of the book. ;) Well worth reading in full.
on “Apple iOS 4.2 to Support MIDI” ↗You should check out Jaron Lanier's book You Are Not A Gadget. Very thoughtful philosophical treatment of digital technology and its limitations. Personally, in the last year I've drastically cut back on my time online and upped the time spent in the real world,…
on “My Paleo Media Diet” ↗…Snapchat addict into a Wikipedia editor and would put Twitter to work like Reddit. This is also a sign for a tech bubble; as long as startups keep creating no value beyond aesthetics. I recommend you read "You Are Not A Gadget" by Jaron Lanier ;)
on “Ask HN: Do you ever feel disillusioned with tech industry as a whole?” ↗Thanks for the suggestion! I've also been simultaneously reading You Are Not A Gadget by Jaron Lanier, and The Efficiency Paradox by Edward Tenner, both of which seem to be pretty good reads so far.
on “News Site to Investigate Big Tech, Helped by Craigslist Founder” ↗…never find out if you changed your mind eventually (and vice versa). You may want to check out this talk by Jaron Lanier. He was not the one who convinced me of the value of copyright, but his book ("You Are Not A Gadget") provides some nice examples and arguments. http://zocalopublicsquare.org/full_video.php?event_id=359...
on “Swiss Government: Downloading Movies and Music Will Stay Legal ” ↗Have you read You Are Not a Gadget by Jaron Lanier? I think you might like it. There is an entire section devoted to exactly what you just said, and how facebook essentially "removes the individuality" from its users. At the same time…
on “It's Your Data, It's Your Bot: It's Not A Crime” ↗Great list. I didn't know about De Landa's work, looks really interesting. In the same spirit, and for something more recent, I'd recommend Lanier's You Are Not a Gadget. I also find Erik Davis' Techgnosis to be a criminally well-written book.
on “Key Reads for the young technologist” ↗This is a (lengthy) summary-cum-reaction-to-cum-review of the book by Douglas Rushkoff. A good related read is Jaron Lanier's You Are Not a Gadget: http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Not-Gadget-Manifesto/dp/030738...
…us all into gradual acceptance of using our information however they damn well please for a mythical valuation sustaining cash cow that has as of yet to materialize. *credit to Jaron Lanier & his book You Are Not A Gadget book for some of my phrasing and ideas here. He articulated this when Beacon was their only offense, and his predictions about their direction have proven completely and totally accurate.
on “Facebook Is Recycling Your Likes To Promote Stories You've Never Seen” ↗I would say his earlier ones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaron_Lanier#You_Are_Not_a_Gad... IMO 'you are not a gadget' was good at predicting how web 2.0 would become distopean. https://www.evgenymorozov.com is good on 'the facade of techno-utopianism' crumbling, especially 'to save everything, click here'
on “Jaron Lanier on dystopia, empathy, and the future of the internet” ↗Definitely looking for a solution. I actually loved Lanier's "You Are Not A Gadget", it was the first deep dive of technology philosophy that I've ever read, and was definitely worth finishing. I'll definitely check out some of these other ones you mention. Thanks for the recommendations!
on “Brainjunk and the killing of the internet mind” ↗Jaron Lanier's "You Are Not a Gadget" has some nice thought about this point, claiming that the web in the 90s was a way more creative and personal space than today.
on “Show HN: My embarrassing personal website from the 90s” ↗Jaron Lanier's You are not a Gadget. It really changes your ideas about software and I really wish people would read it. Especially regarding Open source and regarding design. Keep in mind It isn't a programming book though and it really…
on “Ask HN: What are the best unknown books you have read?” ↗