The Civilization of Illiteracy [Hardcover]

Mihai Nadin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1998

The spectacular but unsettling reality of faster cycles of change, breakdown of traditional values and institutions, and many other symptoms of technological innovation-what makes these necessary is the subject of this thought-provoking book. All the good intentions of educators, scholars, politicians, and policymakers will fail if they do not recognize why literacy as a dominant framework of human activity is no longer adequate. The current dynamics of human activity is without precedent. It is not the result of technology, but of deeper forces of change. The answer to the failure of many seemingly eternal institutions-government, family, education-is not improvement in the traditional sense, but a fundamentally new perspective. The digital paradigm underlying the new civilization provides a basis for this perspective. But it will be misapplied unless understood within the broader framework of the driving forces behind human activity.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Mihai Nadin is an author who knows digital technology like few others in this world, but who does not talk technology in order to explain the characteristics of the civilization of illiteracy-as he provocatively calls it, and which the public probably will, too. Behind the label, we see a civilization unfold, one in which media complement literacy. The language of the Internet, interactive multimedia, and virtual reality will become the new languages of human interaction in a world whose activity ranges from the nano-realm to the intergalactic AUTHCOMMENT: This book is as much about language and literacy as it is about everything pertaining to it: family, politics, the market, war, sports, old and new media. It is about the process of cutting the umbilical cord that binds people to literacy. We live in a world of a dynamic never before experienced in history. In this world, many new literacies, of shorter duration, override the need and possibility of one encompassing literacy. The sense of permanence and eternity that this literacy instilled prevents us from making the best of technological progress. It is no wonder that it is disintegrating. The new literacies provide means for human interaction appropriate to achieving probably the most radical forms of individualism and the most intriguing means of social interaction. We are in for a ride that can only get more exciting. Those who insist on bringing along the baggage of their literate prejudices will get sick at each curve in the road. And they'll miss the many rainbows along the way.

From the Author

This book is as much about language and literacy as it is about everything pertaining to it: family, politics, the market, war, sports, old and new media. It is about the process of cutting the umbilical cord that binds people to literacy. We live in a world of a dynamic never before experienced in history. In this world, many new literacies, of shorter duration, override the need and possibility of one encompassing literacy. The sense of permanence and eternity that this literacy instilled prevents us from making the best of technological progress. It is no wonder that it is disintegrating. The new literacies provide means for human interaction appropriate to achieving probably the most radical forms of individualism and the most intriguing means of social interaction. We are in for a ride that can only get more exciting. Those who insist on bringing along the baggage of their literate prejudices will get sick at each curve in the road. And they'll miss the many rainbows along the way.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 900 pages
• Publisher: Dresden Univ Pr (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3931828387
• ISBN-13: 978-3931828387
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,052,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of those few books that will change your mind., April 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Civilization of Illiteracy (Hardcover)

A book that really thinks through a broad range of topics - more enlightening and much deeper than any current books on business, technology, or education, not to mention mind, brain, movies, and food.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To understand our times, October 5, 2000

By 

"[e-mail]" (Cologne, Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Civilization of Illiteracy (Hardcover)

The digital age is very complex. We use machines of all kind and we see how science changes our lives. Everything happens so fast. It is exciting and scary. What we do not know is why all this is taking place. And here comes this book, a heavy volume, totally dedicated to suggesting the reasons for the change we are experiencing. This author is familiar with technology as he is familiar with the many fields analyzed in the book. I am not surprized that Umberto Eco is enthusiastic about this book. At first I read it on the Internet but after that I decided that I have to have this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars prophetic book, March 19, 2001

By 

harry galloway (Bexley, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Civilization of Illiteracy (Hardcover)

if you want to read a book that will continue to interest readers even after our infantile infatuation with the digital will give way to serious contributions then this is the BOOK. You read it here first. I wish someone will teach a class based on it. I would take it.