1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910956251703321

Autore

Borgmann Albert

Titolo

Holding on to reality : the nature of information at the turn of the millennium / / Albert Borgmann

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Chicago, : University of Chicago Press, c1999

ISBN

9786611223168

9780226066226

0226066223

9781281223166

1281223166

Edizione

[1st ed.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (286 p.)

Disciplina

302.2

Soggetti

Communication - Philosophy

Information theory

Reality

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (p. 235-263) and index.

Nota di contenuto

Front matter -- Contents -- Introduction. Information vs. Reality -- Part One. Natural Information. Information about Reality -- Part Two. Cultural Information. Information for Reality -- Part Three. Technological Information. Information as Reality -- Conclusion: Information and Reality -- Notes -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

Holding On to Reality is a brilliant history of information, from its inception in the natural world to its role in the transformation of culture to the current Internet mania and is attendant assets and liabilities. Drawing on the history of ideas, the details of information technology, and the boundaries of the human condition, Borgmann illuminates the relationship between things and signs, between reality and information. "[Borgmann] has offered a stunningly clear definition of information in Holding On to Reality. . . . He leaves room for little argument, unless one wants to pose the now vogue objection: I guess it depends on what you mean by nothing."-Paul Bennett, Wired "A superb anecdotal analysis of information for a hype-addled age."-New Scientist "This insightful and poetic reflection on the changing nature of information is



a wonderful antidote to much of the current hype about the 'information revolution.' Borgmann reminds us that whatever the reality of our time, we need 'a balance of signs and things' in our lives."-Margaret Wertheim, LA Weekly