Techno-Explanations
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Being Digital mixes text that explains simply the workings of
complicated computer technology and that which challenges readers to
consider the possibilities of human potential enabled by technology.
Negroponte clarifies the concepts of bandwidth, "ether" (airwaves) vs.
braided cable, fiber optic cable, and the general scheme of wireless vs.
wired information transfer. He describes bit compression, information
transfer speeds, high resolution television, video, and sound, and the
concepts of pixels, multimedia, and virtual reality. In addition,
Negroponte provides a framework for understanding the basics of the
economic and legal parameters that affect information storage transfer and
dissemination. He shows that often these parameters, rather than
considered scientific focus, determine the choices we make in how and what
kind of technology to assimilate into our daily lives.
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