67 – Reviving the Mechanical Arts

Ivan Illich's "Tools for Conviviality" is a critical examination of industrial society's impact on human life. Illich argues that modern technologies, while offering efficiency, often lead to dependence and a loss of control. He challenges the notion of progress as solely technological advancement, emphasizing the importance of human scale and self-determination. The book explores the ways in which industrialization has shaped various aspects of life, from work and education to healthcare and transportation, highlighting the negative consequences of these systems. Illich's work serves as a call for a more human-centered approach to technology and social organization, advocating for conviviality as a guiding principle for a more just and sustainable society.

In this book, Ivan Illich examines the Didascalicon of Hugh of St. Victor, a medieval work that marks a significant transition in reading practices from vocal to silent reading. Illich discusses the impact of technological innovations on reading habits, comparing the twelfth-century revolution in reading to the changes brought about by the printing press and the computer age. The book delves into the cultural and historical context of reading, highlighting the evolution of 'bookish' reading and its implications for Western society.