World War III and the second industrial revolution have come and gone. Now machines and computers perform all routine manufacturing tasks, while the top scientists and technocrats run society. But underneath the surface, the impulse to rebellion seethes.
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World War III and the second industrial revolution have come and gone. Now machines and computers perform all routine manufacturing tasks, while the top scientists and technocrats run society. But underneath the surface, the impulse to rebellion seethes.
Read Less
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New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 352 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 352 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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New. Brand New! Not Overstocks or Low Quality Book Club Editions! Direct From the Publisher! We're a small town bookstore that loves books and loves it's customers! Buy from US! Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 352 p.
I remember being very impressed by this book when I first read it, 30 or 40 years ago. The basis of the plot is that, due to the high productivity of the industrial society, only a small number of people are needed to produce everything the society needs. This sounds ideal, but it isn't - in the book only a few benefit, and the majority are a permanent, impoverished underclass. Since we have now reached the point where the productivity of human society is high enough that Vonnegut's prescient view is close to becoming reality, I thought I should read the book again. But I'm in the middle of one that I need to finish first....
Dabear
Sep 2, 2007
1952 Futureshock
When Kurt Vonnegut speculated about an automation-dominated future, he did not foresee the feminist movement, the omnipresence of computers, and the cyber-revolution. But the human questions remain. What makes life worth living? Are productivity, efficiency, and financial security enough, or do we need to sacrifice them to make room for more meaningful goals? If we don't like the way our society is going, how do we start changing it? Can we make a difference?
Vonnegut's style is compelling, and kept me going after a relatively slow beginning. The absurdities of human nature enlivened what could have been a terminally depressing book.