News and Media Books

How can a newly networked social structure lead to changes in social, economic and political structures which take into account past non-networked knowledge? In Prometheus Wired Barney examines the history and nature of digital networks with an eye to exploring modern issues of privacy, telecommuting, and economics.

Prometheus Wired is so well researched and written, and its thesis so well argued, that it caused me seriously to review my own feelings about technology and its relationships to democracy. Dr. Barney takes to task folks who, like me, believe that technology is fundamentally ungovernable. In the end, I was not persuaded to change my own views, but I was much enlightened by his explication of arguments against my own position, and that earns my greatest respect and thanks.

As one unschooled in philosophy, I found myself initially chafing at the philosophical groundlaying of chapter one, though by the end of the book one understands the necessity of it. For the opposite reason, as a techie from way back I chafed also at the computing/networking primer that constitutes chapters 2 and 3, but I must tell you that the primer (1) is expertly written and (2) is also essential background for the rest of the book, so don't skip it unless you are already an expert yourself. In any case, don't skip the part of chapter 3 dealing with networks as control utilities, which is where he really starts to weave the philosophy and technology together.

The culmination of the weaving process - the "whole cloth" of his thesis was (to me) represented in chapter 6, the penultimate chapter. And it was in this chapter that he really had me re-examining my own knowledge and beliefs. But in the end, while I very much respect his arguments and his positions on the issues, in general I was not persuaded that technology is tamable, or that society is necessarily worse off for it, or that the un-effing of the ineffable would ruin our very Being (as he seems to argue.)

I base my own views partly on my own study of the accelerating, exponential change in technologies and in a belief that it's "turtles all the way down" - that one mystery revealed will only present us with two more, and that we're in no danger of losing our Being through technology's machinations (pun intended!) Rather, in my own research I see reason to hope (thanks, Prometheus!) that through technology we will arrive at an enhanced stage of Being.

Being one myself, I confess to feeling a bit miffed with his assertion (on p. 250) that "those who promote the belief that digital networks are technically immune to legal authority of any kind express a normative preference rather than a fact." I like to think I am expressing a belief premised on the facts of technology - especially the accelerating change in technology, and not at all a normative preference. And I most strongly - but respectfully - disagree with his statement (also p. 250) that "the operative question is not whether network-mediated activity CAN be subject to the limitations of laws and rules, but rather whether it SHOULD be and, if so, by whom." It is true his statement is based upon strong argument presented earlier in the chapter, but if (like me) one disagrees with those arguments, then the statement seems very wrong.

In the spirit of his own call for more thought and deliberation on the subject, I would urge Dr. Barney (and others) to consider the following questions: CAN the net be governed, and if so, HOW; and if NOT, what is the prognosis for society and based on that prognosis what, if anything, must we do?

I would also urge everyone interested in the topic enough to have read my review to this point, to read Dr. Barney's book. It is an excellent starting point for answering the question as I have just posed it.

As a psychotherapist and alternative care provider, I have always known that there was something more - a knowing within myself that I was not sure how to access. Despite its off-putting (at least for me) title, I picked up this book and was drawn in immediately. It is not only a step-by-step guide to intuition - but also an incredibly well written book. The author writes with passion and clarity. It is good to read a book of this nature that doesn't include a back-page of all the other tapes and workbooks you will need to truly "get it". Instead, Ms. Chestney reminds us that the gift of intuition is one we already have and she shows us how to use it. I highly suggest that anyone who knows "it" is within them, but is scared away by all the hoo-doo babble , pick up this book. You won't need another.

The Psychic Workshop is an inspirational and educational glimpse into the process of inner guidance, and is based on the principal that all people have an innate divine connection that is accessed through intuitive awareness and strengthened by a trueness to one's self.

This is a one-of-a-kind book -- in that material is presented in a workshop format that enables readers to work with and validate their own inner guidance as they explore the theories and practices surrounding the intuitive process.

This book's perspective is god-driven, human-condition driven, and emphasizes a connectedness to self and community - a connection that enables us to better reach in and to reach out, and to begin to heal ourselves and the world by using the gifts we have forgotten - the simple god-given gifts of stopping to 'know' and 'listen.'

A MUST-READ for anyone on the path to self discovery......

A must read for new parents!

I bought this book for a "new Dad" friend of mine. The book is informative and funny. Written in a straight forward language, it will teach you and make you laugh. I would highly reccommend this book not only for new dads, but also for new moms. Perfect for anybody that enjoys sports. The part about registering for baby stuff is priceless. And I have decided to go with a zone defense for my next holiday party. Definitely five stars! And when your kid gets a little older and inquisitive buy him Mercer's book "Smash It, Crash It, Launch It". I own it and rate it five stars too.

I bought this book for my husband and he loved it. He read it over the first weekend he had it. I have seen him open it several times since then. I have read parts of it and it is very funny and informative. It is written for guys, but I really enjoyed it myself. I think any new parent could benefit from it. The hints and advice are clear and easy to understand. This book and Be Prepared are the best dad books I have seen. They both combine humor and being helpful.

Hi yes I'm back, the 46 year old Rocky and Bullwinkle fan.

I have read this book and found it great fun. I went to see the movie no fewer than 5 TIMES!!!! Yes I love Moose and Squirrel that much!!!

I was 10 when the cartoon was on television here in England, and still have fond memories of it.

I loved the plot, Fearless Leader, Boris and Natasha breaking out of Cartoon Land and wreaking havoc through a hypnotic television to take over the planet.

HELP, WHO CAN STOP THEM!!!? Why Rocky and Bullwinkle of course, with the help of a beautiful FBI agent, Karen Sympathy (Piper Perabo). The stars: Rocket J Squirrel and Bullwinkle J Moose, together with Robert de Niro as Fearless Leader (very meanly played) Jason Alexander (a wicked Boris Badenov) and Rene Rousso (a mean Natasha Fatale).

All three played their cartoon counterparts really good and Rocky was his usual heroic self along with the world's coolest moose, Bullwinkle who proved to us never to underestimate his antlers.

Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

If You loved the cartoon, you WILL love the book! The Plot is: Fearless leader, Boris and Natasha Beak into the real world, and the only way to get Rocky and Bullwinkle into the real world, is to green light the movie. So as the evil treo would say: " Moose And Squerl" are off to get the evil treo, before Fearless leader hipnotyzes everybody through his Television Station, RBTV(Really bad telivison) so he can be elected. It's Better than it sounds! Will Rocky and Bullwinkle make it in time? READ THIS AND GO SEE THE MOVIE...! And Go to the movie's web site!...

I am buying my second copy because the first one finally wore out after many car trips. I gave this to my 2 year old when she had croup and had to go to the hospital. She decorated her oxygen tent over and over with the stickers! She continued to read and play with it in the car for several months after.

Being a big Rolie fan anyway, my daughter (2 years old) was so excited to get her new sticker book. She has had it for over a month now and still has plenty of stickers to place throughout the book, which is a big plus for a 2-year old. I highly recommend this product to anyone who likes Rolie and who likes their child to have a lot of fun with stickers. I know my daughter (and myself) enjoying playing "stickers."

Having seen the movie before reading the novel, I must admit I was a little doubtful as to whether it would be just as good or not. I'm happy to say I was not disappointed. And neither will you.

I had to give a review even though I read this book over probably 13 years ago. I absolutely loved this book and the movie is fantastic. I believe it is the only time I have enjoyed seeing the movie after reading the book. Great stuff!

I really like this book. I thought it was very, very, very, funny when horrible Penelope Pinkpaws becomes jealous when Angelina is chosen to play the Rose Fairy Princess and she is cast as the dancing flower. When Angelina realized she had to fly across the stage on a single wire, she has to overcome her fear to keep the part. When Angelina tries to fly on a single wire during rehearsal, she tricks Miss Lilly into thinking she fainted. I never tricked anyone into thinking I fainted. And I've never played in a famous ballet before. I've only played in a school play.Penelope thinks Angelina won't be able to dance the part. But Miss Lilly doesn't recast Penelope as the Rose Fairy Princess. Angelina suggests Alice will fly across the stage instead. But when their plan fails, Angelina doesn't want to let Miss Lilly down. She flies on the single wire. My favorite part was when Angelina is cast is the Rose Fairy Princess.

Beautiful art work and a well paced story, makes this book a favorite at our house. Angelina gets casted as the Rose Fairy Princess, but learns that she will have to fly across the stage on one thin wire. She tries to seek help with Mrs. Lilly, Alice, and even Zivo. The story unfolds well and my daughter was reassured that the adults in her world would not put her in danger - just like Angelina had nothing to fear.

The book had a good story line. It was a very interesting book. I could read it over and over. I recommend it to other children for reading. I really loved it.

This book is funny and cute. If you are a 7 year old boy like me, you would like to read this book!

This book is a read aloud for 4-6 yr olds and independent reading for 7-8 yr olds.

Katherine(5yrs old), loved this book. She read it with some help and loved the part when Chuckie said,"Hey! Leave him alone! He's not a nanner! We giggled throughout the book and you will too.

I have just ordered my third copy of this book for .58
The other to got loaned out and never returned. That's
how great this book is. The passage on Tammy Faye dealing
with her dog Chi Chi could be the basis for an Indie Cult Film.

I read this book years ago. It still sticks in my mind how much good I got out of it.
In life we have to go through many storms, not weather related, but tests and trials of the enemy. Instead of trying to get out of it, she tells about how she conquered her fears by not running away from them, but running right into them.
When you do that they disperse. It reminds me of geese. They are very aggressive and if you allow them they will try to back you down, but if you run through them and swing your arms they will move out of your way and instead of you bring intimidated, they will disperse and move out of the way. You are in control and not them.
Something most of us need to know when we are facing the storms of life.
God tells us in James 1:2-4 Amplified Version

2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

This is what the book is about. I loved the book when I read it, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who has fears of any kind because she points you in the right direction to Jesus who showed her what to do about her fears.