BKFTNTCM.RVW   950623
 
"The Future Does Not Compute", Stephen Talbott, 1995, 1-56592-085-6, U$22.95
%A   Stephen L. Talbott stevet@ora.com
%C   103 Morris Street, Suite A, Sebastopol, CA   95472
%D   1995
%G   1-56592-085-6
%I   O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
%O   U$22.95 800-998-9938 707-829-0515 fax: 707-829-0104 nuts@ora.com
%O   519-283-6332 800-528-9994 rick.brown@onlinesys.com
%P   481
%T   "The Future Does Not Compute"
 
Talbott's use of the term "jeremiad" is perhaps more appropriate than he knows. 
The book is not simply a prophecy of computerized doom, but a call to a kind of
repentance:  we should turn from worshipping the idol of computer and
communications technology, and instead seek to understand its true nature so as
to use it appropriately.  Given the current spate of open-mouthed, blue-sky,
uncritical pamphlets lauding all forms of technology, and particularly the
"Infommercial SuperCliche," this should be a welcome change of pace.  Talbott's
work is not alone, however, and may ultimately be disappointing.  While those
of a cautious bent towards technology will applaud it, the book requires more
discipline to present its case effectively to the enthusiasts.
 
The work is divided into four parts; technology and social structures,
technology and education, technology and writing, and a section on epistemology
with special reference to the writings of Owen Barfield.
 
Part one shows most clearly that the book started life as a collection of
essays.  If the intent is really as broad as the wide-ranging examples
indicate, then Talbott has failed to provide an adequate background in
sociology.  If the thesis is merely his often-repeated observation that the
perfect analogue of a corporation is a computer network, then the section is
too long, and most of the material redundant.  This lack of focus finds an
ironic reflection later in the book when Talbott notes that it is too easy to
produce "superficially cogent verbal emptiness" when dealing in the abstract. 
Still, there is balance in that both the "bright future" of Rheingold and
Gilder, and the dystopia of Mander, come under equally incisive analysis.
 
As a teacher, I am delighted by the section on computers in education.  The
three short chapters are packed with insight.  My one complaint is that it gets
rather lost in the book overall, but I heartily recommend it to any educator,
particularly those dealing with younger children.
 
As a writer, I am slightly bemused by part three.  The material is thought-
provoking, but, I suspect, idiosyncratic.  Talbott's experience of the writing
process diverges too radically from my own at too many vital points for me to
believe his points have universal application.  Still, there are important
points to consider here.
 
Part four is difficult to pin down, but I would still place it as an
exploration of epistemology:  the study of the nature of knowledge.  By turns
metaphysical and spiritual, it again lacks the background in classical
philosophy which might have made both the writing and reading easier. 
Talbott's ultimate aim seems to tie together both humanity and machine as
influencing each other, but some of the examples seem counter to this.  The
success of the ELIZA program (recounted in chapter eighteen) seems to say less
about computer technology than about our desire to reduce *any* aspect of human
endeavour to a formula.  ELIZA is based upon the very formulistic therapies of
humanistic schools of psychology.  (This may *be* Talbott's point:  it's
difficult to be sure.)
 
Talbott is quite impressed with the writings of Owen Barfield.  I would, then,
commend to him the work of C.S. Lewis, a contemporary and close friend of
Barfield's.  Like Barfield, he was a medievalist with a classical educational
background.  Lewis' "The Abolition of Man" would bear on many points in parts
two, three and four.  His style had very significant structure and order which
left the reader in no doubt as to his points, or the evidence leading to them.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995   BKFTNTCM.RVW   950623
 
============= 
Vancouver      ROBERTS@decus.ca         | "Remember, by the
Institute for  Robert_Slade@sfu.ca      |  rules of the game, I
Research into  Rob.Slade@f733.n153.z1/  |  *must* lie.  *Now* do
User                      .fidonet.org  |  you believe me?"
Security       Canada V7K 2G6           |    Margaret Atwood