In Defence of Serendipity

by Sebastian Olma

In Defence of Serendipity is a lively and buccaneering work of investigative philosophy, treating the origins of “serendipity, accident and sagacity”, both as riddles and philosophical concepts that can be put to a future political use.  Taking in Aristotle, LSD, Tony Blair and techno-mysticism, Olma challenges the prevailing faith in the benevolence of digital technology and the illegitimate equation of innovation and entrepreneurship, arguing instead that we must take responsibility for the care of society’s digital infrastructure, and prevent its degeneration into an apparatus of marketing and finance.  For although there is nothing wrong with marketing and finance per se, if they alone lead technological development, free of any discretionary political interference, the freedom to be exploited will be as much a part of the future as our ability to intervene freely in our lives, will be a thing of the past.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2016

Reviews

[Luc de Bruin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute no-nonsense book about innovativity and creativity.

It gives a view on what truly innovation in the core is and how it has changed over times, especially in relation to tech.

By the reading of this book I enriched my view and perspective on the matter of innovation, tech, start-ups and came across an intriguing topic: "changeless-change gymnastics in 'social change'" and this especially in regard of the Higher Education framework, the platform capitalism.

It gives an honest and insight in the developments of today, and how we misinterpretate some 'innovations' in the 21st century.