New Books in Technology

Jeff Jarvis, "The Gutenberg Parenthesis: The Age of Print and Its Lessons for the Age of the Internet" (Bloomsbury, 2023)

19 snips
Dec 1, 2023
Jeff Jarvis, a journalist and author, delves into the transformative power of print culture and its lasting impact on today's digital landscape. He discusses the concept of the 'Gutenberg Parenthesis' and how the printing press revolutionized storytelling and community engagement. Jarvis contrasts past and present public discourse, from coffee houses to social media, while addressing issues of censorship and free speech. He emphasizes the collective nature of culture in the digital era, inviting a reevaluation of communication, authorship, and creativity.
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INSIGHT

Gutenberg Parenthesis

  • The Gutenberg Parenthesis theory posits that the print age is an exception in history, disrupting the prior oral, conversational society.
  • We are now exiting this parenthesis, returning to a conversational model with digital technology.
ANECDOTE

Scribal Reactions to Print

  • Scribes faced job displacement and questioned the value of their work with the rise of printing.
  • Authors like Cervantes and Hugo explored the impact of print on society and the mind.
INSIGHT

Institutional Changes from Print

  • The printing press fostered bureaucracy, government growth, and standardization of language, leading to a stronger sense of nationhood.
  • Increased literacy and access to diverse voices led to censorship attempts, like the Catholic Church's Index of Forbidden Books.
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