Richard Thieme's Islands in the Clickstream: Reflections on Life in a Virtual World [Paperback]

Richard Thieme (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2004 | ISBN-10: 1931836221 | ISBN-13: 978-1931836227 | Edition: 1

CNN called Richard Thieme "a member of the cyber avant-garde". Digital Delirium named him "one of the most creative minds of the digital generation". Now Richard Thieme's wisdom on the social and cultural dimensions of technology is available in a single volume. "Islands in the Clickstream" ranges beyond the impact of technology to spirituality, psychological insight, and social commentary. Now that people are used to living in virtual worlds and move easily between online and offline worlds, they want to connect that experience to the deeper issues of our lives, including spiritual issues. Some examples include "Dreams Engineers Have", "The Crazy Lady on the Treadmill", and "Whistleblowers and Team Players". These essays raise serious questions for thoughtful readers. They have attracted favorable commentary from around the world and a fanatic, almost rabid fan base.

* This author has become an extremely popular and highly visible talking head. He is a rare "personality" in the otherwise bland world of technology commentators.

* The book leverages the loyalty of his audience in the same way Bill O'Reilly's "The O'Reilly Factor" and Al Franken's "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them" do.

* The book is an easy read intended to provoke thought, discussion and disagreement.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Thieme is one of the most visible commentators on technology and society, appearing often on CNN radio, TechTV, and various other national media outlets. He is also in great demand as a professional speaker, delivering his Human Dimension of Technology talk to over 50,000 live audience members each year. Islands in the Clickstream is a single volume "best of Richard Thieme." Richard is a business consultant, writer, and professional speaker focused on the impact of computer technology on organizations, societies, and one’s own self. Richard’s columns convey simple wisdoms in an otherwise complicated industry, exploring topics from innovation to evolution, modernization to love. Islands in the Clickstream portrays the intricate relationship between man and machine, drawing on Thieme’s experiences as an Episcopalian priest, a father, a professional speaker, a traveler, and a man to convey his message of "living on the edge."

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Syngress; 1 edition (August 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931836221
• ISBN-13: 978-1931836227
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,397,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Secular sermons, July 10, 2004

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Richard Thieme's Islands in the Clickstream: Reflections on Life in a Virtual World (Paperback)

A set of secular sermons by a well known commentator on technology and its impact on society. The book reprints essays penned over the last ten years. The core theme seems to be the continuing rise of the Internet and how this can reshape even our perceptions of ourselves and of a new communal 'virtual' reality.

I would compare his essays to those of George Gilder. But whereas Gilder's writings tend to sound breathless and stuffed with a thicket of arcane and complex technology, Thieme's musings stroll along at a more leisurely pace. A pleasant countryside walk, instead of a dash on a freeway. Thieme talks to a general audience.

But for programmers, there is one specific point that I found spot on. He suggests that programmers who use only one language are not fully programming. It is very hard for them to see the limitations inherent in that language. 'When we learn a second language, we see other ways of framing reality. Then we can make choices.' So for example, if you know only C++, then you think multiple inheritance is logical and natural. But then you know not of Java, which is also Object Oriented, but forbids multiple inheritance, and yet has been very successful. Likewise, knowing only Java might not let you appreciate the templates of C++.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Transit, July 18, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Richard Thieme's Islands in the Clickstream: Reflections on Life in a Virtual World (Paperback)

"Enjoy the journey. Be prepared for the detours. Always look back where you came from". These words, by my late father come to mind as I read Islands in the Clickstream.
Richard Thieme has earned his 'wings' in cyberspace.
He shares his intelligence - his brilliance, really - as he steers his starship through these diverse Islands.
A long time online reader, I am so glad he finally published Islands in the Clickstream as a book so his reflections can be shared with the world. J.L. Marais

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stretch Your Mind-- Great Genius at Work, July 8, 2004

By 

Eileen McDargh "Eileen McDargh" (Dana Point, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard Thieme's Islands in the Clickstream: Reflections on Life in a Virtual World (Paperback)

I've been reading Richard's essays since he started writing them. At last--now a collection that is bound and can replace my 3-ring notebook of his wisdom. Reading Richard is like playing up in tennis: he makes you stretch to find a new place to land a winning idea. His prose calls to mind the best of fiction and non-fiction authors. His metaphors are powerful. And his insights are deep. If you want shallow writing--go elsewhere. You won't find it here.
Be prepared for truth. It's a rare commodity these days.