"More than any thing else technology creates our world. It creates our wealth, our economy, our very way of being," says W. Brian Arthur. Yet, unti...
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reviews
Dec 24, 2011
Hong
rated it: 
Questions that this book addresses:
- Why technologies get complicated as it progresses?
- Will the development of technology slows down in the future?
- Why innovations of a field tends to be highly concentrated geographically?
- How do inventions come about?
- Why does technological developments explode in recent years?
How do I like it?
- Concisely written. Often times, general statements are made, forcing readers to think of an example to fit in. This More...
- Why technologies get complicated as it progresses?
- Will the development of technology slows down in the future?
- Why innovations of a field tends to be highly concentrated geographically?
- How do inventions come about?
- Why does technological developments explode in recent years?
How do I like it?
- Concisely written. Often times, general statements are made, forcing readers to think of an example to fit in. This More...
Mar 17, 2010
Espen
rated it: 
Arthur sets out to articulate a theory of technology, and to a certain extend succeeds, at least in articulating the importance of technology and the layered, self-referencing and self-creating nature of its evolution. The two main concepts I took away were the layered nature of technology, consisting of these three points:
1. Technology is a combination of components.
2. Each component is itself a technology.
3. Each technology exploits an effect or phenomenon (and usually severa More...
1. Technology is a combination of components.
2. Each component is itself a technology.
3. Each technology exploits an effect or phenomenon (and usually severa More...
Mar 08, 2010
Drew
rated it: 
a little slow, somewhat pedestrian. Haven't quite finished due to the tautological nature of the work- hadn't really heard anything I didn't already know, nor was it from a fresh angle.
Might be good if you don't read as much technology books as I do.
Might be good if you don't read as much technology books as I do.
Feb 09, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Surprisingly insightful and meaningful. Arthur frames and explores our current technology systems, which is really an exploration of human creativity and the systems, institutions, and environments that cultivate innovation.
Apr 16, 2010
Jimt43
rated it: 
this should have been a great book. The chance to give a taxonomy of technology is something that the world really needs. I quit on this book at about the page 27 mark. Maybe I will pick it up again sometime...
Apr 21, 2010
Gabe
rated it:
A fantastic book that neatly and concisely describes the most complex aspect of reality.
Dec 28, 2010
Ainda lendo. Tentativa ambiciosa de conceitualização de como a tecnologia evolui. Um assunto geralmente avesso a abstrações.
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