August 2008

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
          1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31            

search



  • [Searches with Google]

I'm Blogging This!

Recently on the End of Cyberspace

Recently on Future Now

LinkedIn


About the banner

« Cab driver intellectuals | Main | More on More Than Human »

March 08, 2005

Hey, it's out!

My review of Ramez Naam's book More Than Human is up on the LA Times Web site. I don't think registration is required.

I hate to admit it, but I completely missed its publication. I only found out because Naam e-mailed me about it-- and took my criticisms of the book in stride, it sounds like. (Though when you've been a project manager at Microsoft and reported to Bill Gates, you've probably survived far worse than anything that a book critic can dish out.) Which is good: while I had some quibbles with the book-- techno-libertarians will find it a great read, but someone who's opposed to the kinds of technological modifications of bodies that Naam talks about won't come away thinking that their position is wrong-- I did enjoy it.

The one thing I regret is a line that violates an informal rule I've tried to follow when reviewing books. The essence of the review boils down to these lines:

More Than Human is a terrific survey of current work and future possibilities in gene therapy, neurotechnology and other fields. Naam doesn't shy away from technical detail, but his enthusiasm keeps the science from becoming intimidating. But he's less successful in making the case for "embracing the promise of biological enhancement." Yes, people are greedy, regulations are often ineffective and the war on drugs has not gone well. But none of these facts is likely to change the minds of people who oppose gene therapy on moral or theological grounds.

The problem comes in the third sentance. My informal rule is that you should praise the author, but criticize the book: it gives you some critical (as it were) distance separating the author and the book, and keeps an author from taking criticism too personally. Unfortunately, I slipped in the middle of the paragraph. Or maybe the editor changed it, in which case I'll have track him down and beat him up.

Just kidding, Nick! Seriously, you're the best.

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/11788/1992786

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Hey, it's out!:

» Who is "More Than Human" Trying to Convince? from More Than Human
I thought it was a fine a review, quite positive on the "science" part of the book. Alex's major ding was that the book wouldn't convince someone who objected to enhancement technology on religious or theological grounds. I agree. To be honest, I'... [Read More]

Comments

Post a comment

If you have a TypeKey or TypePad account, please Sign In

About Me

The Outside World!


  • Cafe Barrone, 2004

Seeing


  • www.flickr.com
    This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from askpang. Make your own badge here.

Occupying

Listening

Twitterverse

    follow me on Twitter

    My del.icio.us


    Colophon

    Blog powered by TypePad
    Member since 12/2003

    Contacting

    • Click to leave me a voice message using Grand Central.

      Skype Me™!

      Contact me via Skype.