I read this as a student first, but wanted to rehash the argument--most importantly to check how well it has fared after the Internet 'revolution'. It has. Partly because the theoretical point Thompson makes are in some ways timeless and regardless of all kinds of prophets of singularity, the social media is not a substitute for face to face interaction. Second, the book is a good example of historical sociology, tracing developments in media across centuries, not just concentrating on the here and now. OK, I'd love to see a new edition and a new chapter, but the book still stands on its own without one as well.