High Tech Heretic: Reflections of a Computer Contrarian - Softcover

Clifford Stoll

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0385489765 ISBN 13: 9780385489768

Publisher: Anchor Books, 2000

Synopsis

The cry for and against computers in the classroom is a topic of concern to parents, educators, and communities everywhere. Now, from a Silicon Valley hero and bestselling technology writer comes a pointed critique of the hype surrounding computers and their real benefits, especially in education. In High-Tech Heretic, Clifford Stoll questions the relentless drumbeat for "computer literacy" by educators and the computer industry, particularly since most people just use computers for word processing and games--and computers become outmoded or obsolete much sooner than new textbooks or a good teacher.

As one who loves computers as much as he disdains the inflated promises made on their behalf, Stoll offers a commonsense look at how we can make a technological world better suited for people, instead of making people better suited to using machines.

About this title

Review

Clifford Stoll, the Frank Zappa of cyberculture, dances around and about information architecture in High-Tech Heretic: Reflections of a Computer Contrarian. His friendly, just-folks style is accessible and entertaining, even for the painfully postmodern readers who most desperately need Stoll's quiet scepticism.

The 23 short essays are split between education and more general computer-related topics, but each reflects a unique and consistent viewpoint that is marginalised at best: computers might be neat, but they aren't revolutionary. He walks a very narrow path, eschewing both the utopians' rosy mirrorshades and the Luddites' monkeywrenches in favour of the least sexy accessory of all--critical thought. Why are we supposed to wire every classroom? Whose best interests are served by programs offering "computer literacy"? Can we really meet people online? Stoll asks the reader to check assumptions and suspend judgements while we determine what is really best for our children and our culture. His ideas aren't the stuff sound bites are made of, though his writing has enough pith and charm to keep even the most rabid techno-partisan engaged. It must be a blast to infuriate the smug and unthinking punditocracy for a living; High-Tech Heretic lets us in on the fun, while stretching our eye-rolling muscles and exercising our old-fashioned seawater brains. --Rob Lightner

Review

"An often funny and acerbic look at the new computer priesthood." --The Christian Science Monitor

"Stoll's long experience with technology gives him authority. . . . His claims are based on facts, logic and common sense." --The Seattle Times

"Wonderful. . . . Stoll has Internetted there, computed that and seen through the hype about computers and education." --Chicago Sun-Times

"When Stoll says something, gearheads and non-gearheads alike usually listen. Not only is he an entertaining writer, but he is completely sensible in his approach about the role computers should play in our lives." --The San Diego Union-Tribune

"Wonderful...SHould be in the hands of every school administrator ready to sign a check for more computers."-Chicago Sun-Times

About this edition

• Publisher: Anchor Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0385489765
• ISBN 13: 9780385489768
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 221