Other than missing a chapter on critical thinking this is a great text to base a Social Implications Of Computing class on. While ethics is in the titOther than missing a chapter on critical thinking this is a great text to base a Social Implications Of Computing class on. While ethics is in the title, and relevant to the topics covered in the text it is easy to focus on the social implications of computing with proper emphasis on ethics being on tool for studying the social impact....more
I enjoyed this book despite it being no challenge to read. There is nothing to figure out, wonder about, or difficult to learn or anticipate. All the I enjoyed this book despite it being no challenge to read. There is nothing to figure out, wonder about, or difficult to learn or anticipate. All the characters' motivations are spelled out immediately before or after their actions. This combined with each character having similar motivations makes it difficult to tell them apart. Three mistakenly perceived love triangles is too much. I could not tell if the book got too preachy or it was true to the Amish culture. I think I was in just the right state of mind for an easy read that featured an interesting American sub-culture from a disabilities point of view. Should I be ashamed for not disliking the makings of a perfect Lifetime movie sans domestic violence?
I received this book through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway....more
The author has many valid points, though some of the logic could use a little polish. Designer is far too general a term, and far too specific, as useThe author has many valid points, though some of the logic could use a little polish. Designer is far too general a term, and far too specific, as used in this book. Sometimes it feels like everyone is a designer and sometimes just a select few. A definition of designer would have been helpful. If I were a designer in the main theme of this work I might be proud that design is portrayed as the most important profession. Since most people are not designers it seems the wrong tact to take, especially considering this book contains information important to all people. While the author's main audience are design professionals, the consumers of design have the ability to affect as much if not more change than designers themselves....more
I saw this book as a great tangle of strings, all different shapes and sizes and colors. Let's look at two ways to think about this. The first is as aI saw this book as a great tangle of strings, all different shapes and sizes and colors. Let's look at two ways to think about this. The first is as a very lovingly, painstakingly crafted creative work presented in a novel format. I like reading the glossary first (seriously, I do), doesn't everyone? The second is as a mostly random mess, as a painter might splatter a canvas haphazardly. Unraveling and sorting the strings to prove the first would take more time and effort than this reader wants to spend. Believing the second might not diminish the enjoyment one could derive from this work. In either case I was surprised by the obvious omission of the Museum Of Bad Art, linear world Dedham Neíar Massacusetts as a must stop site.
I received this book through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway....more
Although I am not convinced these seven belong together I enjoyed reading them and the small bits of background and footnotes provided. Carmilla is byAlthough I am not convinced these seven belong together I enjoyed reading them and the small bits of background and footnotes provided. Carmilla is by far the one worth reading if you choose only one....more
I found the common themes between this and HBO's Deadwood series interesting. We have a reluctant sheriff bent on doing the job well. We have a gold mI found the common themes between this and HBO's Deadwood series interesting. We have a reluctant sheriff bent on doing the job well. We have a gold mining town, though we see Fergus well after the boom. We see religion trying to exert a positive influence, though the most ideal "Christian" behavior often comes from the least likely characters. We see a polarization between the town's saloons.
I found the shooting club a much stronger and better developed agent of change for the town than the introduction of religious leaders. There are a few passages that attempt to attribute great uplifting and change to religion but there was little substance to back it up. Overall a nice quick read that makes the reader care about the characters.
I received this book through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway....more
An excellent look at what must be questions all parents ask themselves when faced with teenage children. I often wonder how much of my past I should sAn excellent look at what must be questions all parents ask themselves when faced with teenage children. I often wonder how much of my past I should share with them. How I can improve upon the upbringing my mother worked so hard to afford me. The reader is so effectively invested in the main character that I felt worried by the ambiguous ending, as the author may well have intended. I would recommend this to parents and teenagers alike.
I received this book through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway....more
A fun read, a notch up from the entertaining V.I. Warshawski movie based on the book. It was this book, right? I'd certainly read the rest of the seriA fun read, a notch up from the entertaining V.I. Warshawski movie based on the book. It was this book, right? I'd certainly read the rest of the series....more
Even though my 2 year old loved the stories I found the pattern of George being curious = bad irksome. Luckily I had the option of "reading" aloud as Even though my 2 year old loved the stories I found the pattern of George being curious = bad irksome. Luckily I had the option of "reading" aloud as I saw fit. It it interesting to note that the PBS series of Curious George cartoons also edits the original stories to fit the times and rewarding George for being curious and creative while still capturing the charm of the originals. ...more
If you lend any credence to an infrequent reader of the genre this is a very good blend of science fiction and fantasy. Even though first published thIf you lend any credence to an infrequent reader of the genre this is a very good blend of science fiction and fantasy. Even though first published thirty years ago I found the science fiction still futuristic yet detailed enough to believe it in context. I want to go watch Thundar The Barbarian cartoons now....more
This felt like a cross between "Blow" and "The Executioner's Song". Straightforward story telling approach but gives a little more view into what the This felt like a cross between "Blow" and "The Executioner's Song". Straightforward story telling approach but gives a little more view into what the characters are thinking directly. Too bad it is difficult to know how much is fact and how much is fiction....more
The straightforward story telling style still manages to bring to life these characters and place them in the world. The pace is fitting for the detaiThe straightforward story telling style still manages to bring to life these characters and place them in the world. The pace is fitting for the details given. Growing up near the main character's home town added interest for me as well. I'm all geared up to see the movie again....more
Should I be excited by the excessive use of exclamations?!?! Do I as reader need reminding frequently on each page that I am or am not reading a dreamShould I be excited by the excessive use of exclamations?!?! Do I as reader need reminding frequently on each page that I am or am not reading a dream sequence? Do I need to be told I soon will be? Should the pretentious use of language and languages make me feel superior or insulted? Should preadolescence treatment of subject material put deep truth within my meager reach? Does complete lack of character, setting, and dialog depth transport me to a fanciful world where any thought can materialize en carne?
I looked forward to this book but now feel we were tragically paired.
P.S. I agree with much of the constructive criticism to be found in previously posted reviews, especially the need of an editor. I do hope the author has not reached the pinnacle of her writing career.
I received this book through a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway....more
This seemed really slow to start despite the exclamations to the contrary printed on the cover. That will teach me to read the "hype" before starting This seemed really slow to start despite the exclamations to the contrary printed on the cover. That will teach me to read the "hype" before starting a book. ...more
While I know these things happen it was interesting to read this short account penned while I was a teenager. Good to know there are good people in woWhile I know these things happen it was interesting to read this short account penned while I was a teenager. Good to know there are good people in world trying to make the world a better place. Sad that there is such a need for it. I doubt the situation has improved much....more
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