Cultural Evolution in the Digital Age

ISBN-13: 9780198835943 / Angielski / Miękka / 2020 / 272 str.

Alberto Acerbi

Recenzje

Unlike alarmist writers on this topic, Acerbi adopts a cultural evolution approach, asserting that the changes to society have been much more of an evolution than a revolution. Acerbi advocates for a moderate approach to understanding the impact of digital media. Taking the "long view" provides a more accurate assessment than alarmist reactions. As the author maintains, many characteristics attributed to digital media have been overstated: changes to people's relationships with others, celebrities' online influence, and the existence of echo chambers and individuals isolating themselves from diversity of thought. He writes, "the negative effects of our daily interactions with digital media may have been overestimated, ... for what we know now, there are many positive effects that we just take for granted" (p. 214). Acerbi's book is filled with hope; it is not a Pollyanna assessment of the digital world but a balanced view.

O autorze

Alberto Acerbi, Lecturer at the Centre for Culture and Evolution, Department of Psychology, Brunel University London.