Technology & Society

In The Future of Change, Ray Brescia identifies a series of "social innovation moments" in American history. Through these moments, during which social movements have embraced advances in communications technologies, he illuminates the complicated, dangerous, innovative, and exciting relationship between these technologies, social movements, and social change. Brescia shows that, almost without fail, developments in how we communicate shape social movements, just as those movements change the very technologies themselves.

Social media and smartphones are criticised for being addictive, destroying personal relationships, undermining productivity, and invading privacy. In this book, Trine Syvertsen explores the phenomenon of digital detox: users taking a break from digital media or adopting measures to limit smartphone and social media use. Based on studies, documents, media texts and interviews with media users, Syvertsen discusses how media industries intensify the quest for attention, how companies and governments team up to get everybody online, and how the main responsibility for managing online risks and problems are placed on the users' shoulders.

Modern technology has undoubtedly enhanced our lives in numerous, powerful ways--we can now communicate in real time with friends and colleagues around the world, and do mundane tasks such as shopping or banking at a touch. But has there been a detrimental effect on our health and happiness? Is Technology Making Us Sick? assesses the impact of our increased screen time and everyday interactions with modern technology, the ways we relate to others, and on our mental and physical health.