Technoculture: The Key Concepts

Shaw, Debra Benita

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 184520297X ISBN 13: 9781845202972

Publisher: Routledge, 2008

Technoculture Explores the power of scientific ideas, their impact on how we understand the natural world and how successive technological developments have influenced our attitudes to work, art, space, language and the human body. Full description

Review:

'Technoculture: The Key Concepts argues forcefully that contemporary culture, self, and identity are profoundly interwoven with technology: we are 'techno-bodies' inhabiting 'techno-spaces'. The book combines rich empirical examples with an exciting range of social theory, encompassing the Frankfurt School, Debord, Baudrillard, and Haraway. Not only is this a crystal clear introduction to the cultural studies and social theory of technology, but researchers in the field will find many new theoretical connections and novel insights.'Charles Thorpe, University of California at San Diego'A very well written and engrossing intervention into Science and Technology studies that can also serve as an introduction to the field for higher level undergraduate and graduate students and for anyone truly interested in the role of science and technology in human society today.' Chris Hables Gray, The Union Institute and University

Synopsis:

We live in a world where science and technology shape the global economy and everyday culture, where new biotechnologies are changing what we eat and how we can reproduce, and where email, mobiles and the internet have revolutionised the ways we communicate with each other and engage with the world outside us. "Technoculture: The Key Concepts" explores the power of scientific ideas, their impact on how we understand the natural world and how successive technological developments have influenced our attitudes to work, art, space, language and the human body. Throughout, the lively discussion of ideas is illustrated with provocative case studies - from biotech foods to life-support systems, from the Walkman and iPod to sex and cloning, from video games to military hardware. Designed to be both provocative and instructive, "Technoculture: The Key Concepts" outlines the place of science and technology in today's culture.