Let's get philosophical for a moment, and consider the effect of interfaces in our lives. Having trouble determining just what the impact is? Maybe Steven Johnson can help.
Johnson's theory is that interfaces and culture are united, and have been since the first cave painter, who was both an artist and an engineer, "like most artists and engineers since." Taking the meaning of the new buzz word "technoculture" one step forward and expanding it several steps back, Johnson reviews modern interface design "as though they were the cultural equivalents of a Dickens novel, a Welles film, a Rem Koolhaas building in other words, as works possessing great creative and social import, and historical significance."
Pretty impressive, huh? Well, yes. This premise is divided into five key areas, such as "the Desktop", which looks at social life and the office metaphor; "Links", which intriguingly compares the Web's hypertext with the Victorian novel's elegant narratives; and "Agents", which analyzes the meaning and future impact of "intelligent" software.
Johnson's writing style is smooth and cohesive, with well chosen descriptions and phrases that help us to share his excitement and enthusiasm for his thesis. The blending of past, present, and future is reminiscent of Carl Sagan in the author's novel choice of subject and ability to communicate his passion about his subject matter to others.