Customer Reviews

Close to the Machine: Technophilia and Its Discontents

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If you're fascinated by the impacts of computer technology in personal and human terms, then you'll enjoy this book. On the surface, Ullman gives us a glimpse into the life of a consulting software engineer musing about the meaning and impact of technology. Ullman's world is filled with machine-like programmers drawn to the supremely logical world of software development, as well as managers who don't truly understand the technology or programmers that they are managing. Like a true techie, Ullman can easily convey rush of excitement when a debugged system finally *works* -- but unlike a true techie, she can just as easily describe the quirky, mechanical personalities of the people working "close to the machine(s)." Throughout, she intersperses some thoughts about her career, ranging from the stress of keeping up techno-savvy hot-shots, to the risks of working for startups, to the real impact "virtual companies" on society. Ullman's style was witty, insightful, and a joy to read -- I easily devoured this book in one day. In the end, this book is more about people than it is about technology, so I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested in the human side of the technology equation.

As I read this book I felt a keen sense of familiarity. I live this life as well, down to every detail but being Ellen Ullman. I've had the same experiences; the rush of programming on a great project, the hits and near misses on stock options, the empty cubicles, the rush of a new contract, the longing for the regularity of an old-fashioned company, etc. I also know first hand about the culture of the neighborhood she describes, since I too live in a loft down there, although I am married, male, and have a kid.

In fact, as I got my WSJ the other day, I saw hers stacked on top of mine. I have never met her, but because of the similarities in our lives as described in the excellent book, I do know that what she says is far far truer than any of the books that purport to tell everyone outside of the area about high tech here.

But the book resonates not because we're neighbors; her book is true, and well written. Two reasons enough to buy this book ASAP. Skip "Start-Up" and "Architects of the Web" (please). This is the real thing.

This is a beautiful book, written by someone who not only understands how to work computers, but understands how the computer is working on her -- the seduction of the machine, the impact it has on her life, and the compromises she has to make around her choices.

The basic problem is that this book is probably completely incomprehensible to anyone who doesn't see computers in the same way. Ullman's commentary is all about the same subject: not about computers, but about people, and the kinds of people who are attracted and subverted by technology. If you're not a geek, you'll probably be mystified. If you are, you'll be riveted.

This is probably the same reason why I fall asleep reading the New Yorker, only in reverse.

I read this book a year ago when it first came out and loved it. I've re-read it just to enjoy Ellen Ullman's terrific writing. She is a GREAT writer.

Ellen Ullman uses her life in the fast lane to comment on parts of cyber-culture that we rarely talk about but ought to. It isn't political or technical. It's more social commentary.

Ellen Ullman provides a load of thoughful commentary on the nature of computer code and the professional class that writes it. Hers is a uniquely qualified voice in this realm, and she has a real talent for illustrating a highly arcane topic in ways that anyone can understand. From her observations about the environment in which software engineers operate and her descriptions of the effects it has on their personal and emotional lives emerges a troubling picture of an industry without roots, without long-term vision, without commitment. It is a lonely world of big money, scarce leisure time, high-powered connections and low-powered social lives. The perspective is middle-aged, the tone serious, the credentials of the author superb. This book is thoughfully written, nicely readable, highly useful to anyone who wants to acquire a broader context for understanding the impact of computing on daily life.

Women who have something sly and penetrating to say about a mid-level working life in the American systems society are a rarity.That's clearly why this clever book got thumbs up from the people who promote the value-added virtue of cyberspace.But," Close to the Machine " is also a valuable historical rarity. It sketches the journey of a mid-50s woman from a belief in American-style communism to a contemporary life servicing the wealth-creation businesses of venture capitalism.If you want to get a keen woman's take on an era in which trade unionism collapsed to be replaced by "outsourcing" and network computer systems that embrace everyone, read this book.The male version has yet to see the light of day.

Ellen Ullman's very personal story of her life as a bisexual woman
and as a woman in a field (still) dominated by men is a good read.
She writes about the love and fascination with computer technology
which many of us share, the loss of a rather distant parent,
which many of us have suffered, and the life of a somewhat lonely
person, which many of us are.

The technology is not overwhelming, the personal story is more than
a little too revealing, but it all works.
I highly recommend 'Close to the Machine'

Ullman's book was incredibly different from anything I've read before. Ullman proves to be as talented at writing as she is with her computing work. The psychology and portrayal of human relations is extremely insightful. Her descriptions of her lifestyle, career, the work itself, the short-lived personal relations with her collegues, are well-written and honest, yet harrowing. As a female student of the sciences, what technology has made her turned me off once and for all from the field of computer science as a career choice. Yet "Close to the Machine" is still an absorbing read.

Anyone who's ever tinkered with programming knows that the most difficult part is reducing the "real world" to machine-readable variables.

Ellen Ullman's wonderful book is a meditation on life, love, the human condition and how it's always messier than a good program. She wishes her life was more like a good COBOL routine.

It's entertaining and you'll learn a lot about subroutines and anarchocapitalism and "creating wealth" in these Microsoft greed years.

The descriptions of the seduction of computers were the first things I quoted to my engineer friends; each of us recognized at least one trait absolutely, cathartically.

Coupland can do that ( though not, I think, as well). Ullmann knocked me over with a sense of historical context analyzed with a nerd's eye - she's seen much of the 'new' before, and can recognize it, knows where it's likely to go. Pattern-matching works better when the matcher has more context to start with, and her life is a lot of context.

I suspect she could have made the book much more didactic and 'closed', but chose not to. I found it well worth rereading to pick up the parallels between the different stories she tells, and the cross-implications, but it's subtler than the current run of techno-prognostications.