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Networkologies: A Philosophy of Networks for a Hyperconnected Age - A Manifesto
Networkologies is the first text to develop an entire new philosophy based upon networks. While many contemporary texts on networks have presented critiques or analyses of network formations in our world, this book is the first to develop an entirely new worldview based on the structure of networks themselves. From global capitalism to artificial minds, evolutionary biology to quantum physics, networks are our future. Networkologies presents us with a new image of thought for our hyperconnected age.
- GenresPhilosophy
271 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 3, 2020
I've read a handful of art manifestos and this compares favourable. Concepts are largely introduced before they are deployed. There are a lot of citations. Unfortunately, this means I'm unsure which criteria with which to judge this book.
The first section serves to introduce the key concepts and does so adequately. I do think that if one is to claim that the network diagram can be applied to systems at all scales, one might spend a bit more time illustrating this claim with concrete examples.
The second section success as a manifesto in that it conveys a worldview with some force. Ideas are pulled in from Western and Eastern philosophy, as well as theology, cultural theory and systems theory. At times Vital gives a short summary of these ideas and some key thinkers if we wish to find out more. Unfortunately, there are other times when more page space is given to the list of names than the concept alluded to.
Personally, I'm not sure how much I've take away from it. I agree, by and large with the (left-wing, partial to continental and Eastern thought as well as some science) worldview presented. Echoing the punctuation of the manifesto with the word, "potentiating", it ends "At the cusp of dream and reality, networks are a potentiality in the world for a world that yet could be." Yes, but how do we get there? The entire book is based on the notion of a diagram that somehow acts, with no notion of process.
The first section serves to introduce the key concepts and does so adequately. I do think that if one is to claim that the network diagram can be applied to systems at all scales, one might spend a bit more time illustrating this claim with concrete examples.
The second section success as a manifesto in that it conveys a worldview with some force. Ideas are pulled in from Western and Eastern philosophy, as well as theology, cultural theory and systems theory. At times Vital gives a short summary of these ideas and some key thinkers if we wish to find out more. Unfortunately, there are other times when more page space is given to the list of names than the concept alluded to.
Personally, I'm not sure how much I've take away from it. I agree, by and large with the (left-wing, partial to continental and Eastern thought as well as some science) worldview presented. Echoing the punctuation of the manifesto with the word, "potentiating", it ends "At the cusp of dream and reality, networks are a potentiality in the world for a world that yet could be." Yes, but how do we get there? The entire book is based on the notion of a diagram that somehow acts, with no notion of process.
July 23, 2018
Very good book, incredibly necessary for the challenges that out species face right now and a must read piece. Brilliant.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews