Cyborgs@Cyberspace?: An Ethnographer Looks to the Future (Paperback)

by David Hakken (Author) "Computer theorists use the term "cyberspace" to refer to the notional social arena we "enter" when using computers to communicate..." (more)
Key Phrases: cyberspace ethnography, social formation reproduction, workspace culture, United States, New York, Jobs Study (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A path-breaking work in anthropology and social theory, Hakken's study of our emerging online culture offers new ways of understanding human identities and interactions. Richly documented and powerfully argued, the book's provocative exploration moves beyond all the shabby platitudes about computers and society, placing the debate about cyberspace--its promise and pitfalls--on more solid foundations. -- Langdon Winner, author of The Whale and the Reactor
Challenging the pervasive image of a computer revolution, Hakken insightfully demonstrates that information technology is better viewed as a new terrain of contestation than an ineluctable force. What's important is how the technology is perceived and which potentials people actually appropriate. Hakken's great strength lies in using interesting examples to map continuities in broader networks of social relations. He builds these into a sustained effort to reinvigorate general anthropology, uniquely extending the cyborg metaphor to link biological with cultural perspectives and treat technology and humanity in a unified frame. -- Gary Downey, author of The Machine in Me, Routledge, 1998
Hakken combines his unique ethnographies of computing cultures in England, Norway, and Sweden with his long term involvement in theoretical and political discussions of advanced information technologies. In an impressive tour de force, he develops a rich anthropological account of possible meanings of cyberspace that confront the usual stereotypes. -- Randi Markussen, Aarhus University, Denmark
Hakken remains an ethnographer grounding his understandings in the acts, statements, and opinions of real people in real settings. He is particularly good at puncturing technology-based visions that ignore social, cultural, political, and/or economic factors that do matter. -- -Gregory Finnegan, Harvard University
This text offers a fascinating reflection on anthropological research on computing and social change. -- Ergonomics Abstracts, 2001, Volume 33, Number 3
The author is passionate about his subject. He presents his thesis in a penetrating and incisive style and his argument is carefully crafted and eloquent...this thought provoking and compelling text draws our attention to powerful social and cultural change which is taking place in a random fashion mediated by this comparatively little monitored or explored arena. -- Ergonomics Abstracts, 2001, Volume 33, Number 3

A path-breaking work in anthropology and social theory, Hakkens study of our emerging online culture offers new ways of understanding human identities and interactions. Richly documented and powerfully argued, the books provocative exploration moves beyond all the shabby platitudes about computers and society, placing the debate about cyberspace--its promise and pitfalls--on more solid foundations. -- Langdon Winner, author of The Whale and the Reactor
Challenging the pervasive image of a computer revolution, Hakken insightfully demonstrates that information technology is better viewed as a new terrain of contestation than an ineluctable force. Whats important is how the technology is perceived and which potentials people actually appropriate. Hakkens great strength lies in using interesting examples to map continuities in broader networks of social relations. He builds these into a sustained effort to reinvigorate general anthropology, uniquely extending the cyborg metaphor to link biological with cultural perspectives and treat technology and humanity in a unified frame. -- Gary Downey, author of The Machine in Me, Routledge, 1998
Hakken combines his unique ethnographies of computing cultures in England, Norway, and Sweden with his long term involvement in theoretical and political discussions of advanced information technologies. In an impressive tour de force, he develops a rich anthropological account of possible meanings of cyberspace that confront the usual stereotypes. -- Randi Markussen, Aarhus University, Denmark
Hakken remains an ethnographer grounding his understandings in the acts, statements, and opinions of real people in real settings. He is particularly good at puncturing technology-based visions that ignore social, cultural, political, and/or economic factors that do matter. -- -Gregory Finnegan, Harvard University
This text offers a fascinating reflection on anthropological research on computing and social change. -- Ergonomics Abstracts, 2001, Volume 33, Number 3
The author is passionate about his subject. He presents his thesis in a penetrating and incisive style and his argument is carefully crafted and eloquent...this thought provoking and compelling text draws our attention to powerful social and cultural change which is taking place in a random fashion mediated by this comparatively little monitored or explored arena. -- Ergonomics Abstracts, 2001, Volume 33, Number 3

Product Description
Cyborgs@Cyberspace? is a compelling and innovative analysis of technology from a cultural perspective. It turns an anthropological eye on the growing phenomenon of cyberspace to address some of the pressing questions of the Computer Age: How significant are the social practices which emerge from our increasing use of advanced information technology? Are the cultural infrastructures of cyberspace destined to be the primary arena of human activity in the future? And what are the possibilities and dangers that arise from our use and misuse of computer culture?

Arguing that humans have always been technological as well as cultural beings, David Hakken calls for a fundamental rethinking of the traditional separation of anthropology and technical studies. Drawing on three decades of research on contemporary technological societies, this book outlines a fresh way of thinking about technology and offers an ethical and political response to the challenge of truly living as "cyborgs" in the age of cyberspace.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (March 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415915597
• ISBN-13: 978-0415915595
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,793,619 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting subject, April 18, 2002

By	Peter Timusk "exhausted scholar" (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As social constructivism goes this book is engaging and made me question my cyber life. It helped me write a brief paper. I am happy to say I enjoyed his delineation of the topics of cyberspace ethnography and feel they are valid. I was amazed at his sharing a professional reputation episode of his, that happened on the net. I didn't quite finish it but it gave me some good thoughts on the study of the social impact of computing and good first grasp of cyberstudies proper.