Customer Reviews

Power Failure: Christianity in the Culture of Technology

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Borgmann lucidly explicates the occluding nature of technology in this brief treatise. He argues that the possibility of a rich public life of celebration and personal life of focal practices are hidden by the disengaging nature of technology, and thereby stips life of fundamental meaning. In this way, technology is not value-neutral, but neither is it inevitable. Commodification has made a promise of liberation that it is unable to keep. But there are contingent aspects of social and political life that remain open to fundamental choices, which can lead us to engagement with our reality. It is these contingent areas that the concept of grace, informed by Christian concepts of the Eucharist and the Word of God, can penetrate and bring meaning. For Borgmann, the force of Christianity's salvific message is less a "soteriological imperialism" and more a postmodern version of liberation theology, which will turn off more conservative readers. But in its major thesis, it is a signficant addition to the field. Technology is revealed as a moral issue with implications of disengagement and loss of meaning, and Borgmann has taken a strong step forward toward a solution.

This is the first book I read that really made me aware of how technology conspires against the gospel in that it promises something totally different. Borgmann is not anti-technological, but he is evaluative of his use of technology (and he makes a good case for being that way). He also outlines ways that we can approach life beyond the technolgical millieu's commodifcation of it. A little heady in places, but really makes you think!!

This guy tries so hard to sound smart that any possible thoughts he had are lost in his word choice. save your money.