The debate over whether the Net is good or bad for us fills the airwaves and the blogosphere. But for all the heat of claim and counter-claim, the argument is essentially beside the point: it's here; it's everywhere. The real question is, do we direct technology, or do we let ourselves be directed by it and those who have mastered it? "Choose the former," writes Rushkoff, "and you gain access to the control panel of civilization. Choose the latter, and it could be the last real choice you get to make." In ten chapters, composed of ten "commands" accompanied by original illustrations from comic artist Leland Purvis, Rushkoff provides cyberenthusiasts and technophobes alike with the guidelines to navigate this new universe.

In this spirited, accessible poetics of new media, Rushkoff picks up where Marshall McLuhan left off, helping readers come to recognize programming as the new literacy of the digital age-and as a template through which to see beyond social conventions and power structures that have vexed us for centuries. This is a friendly little book with a big and actionable message.

149 pages : 18 cm

"The media theorist who gave us the concepts of viral media, social currency and screenagers is back with his most far-reaching appraisal yet of digital media"--Cover page 4

Includes bibliographical references (pages 145-148)

Time. Do not be always on -- Place. Live in person -- Choice. You may always choose none of the above -- Complexity. You are never completely right -- Scale. One size does not fit all -- Identity. Be yourself -- Social. Do not sell your friends -- Fact. Tell the truth -- Openness. Share, don't steal -- Purpose. Program or be programmed. Essential reading

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