#320: Pushing Buttons with Dr Rachel Plotnick

In 'Power Button,' Rachel Plotnick traces the origins and impact of push-button technology on society. The book explores how buttons have been made, distributed, used, rejected, and refashioned throughout history, particularly between 1880 and 1925. It delves into the cultural, social, and political implications of button pushing, including its role in automation, instant gratification, and the dynamics between those who command with buttons and those who are commanded. The book also discusses how buttons have crystallized social hopes and fears about technological solutions and their enduring influence on contemporary digital culture.