Many have predicted what emerging technology will mean for society. Michael Dertouzos, an Internet pioneer and Head of MIT's Laboratory for Computer Science, has been among the few who've been pretty much right so far. Now he reaches into the coming century to paint a compelling, rationally developed picture of what's ahead. Dertouzos' fluid freedom from the pollyanna-ism or paranoia that afflict so many of his contemporaries brings to his visions the ring of both conviction and plausibility--and excitement as well. His crystal explanations and fascinating examples are irresistible. The result is a book as enjoyable as it is important.
What will be, by Michael Dertouzos, is indeed an interesting read despite his lack of support for his thesis. By the nature of the title and subtitle, the reader is teased with a possible glimpse into our technological future. Perhaps the book should have been titled, What can be. How the new world of information can change our lives. The largest stumbling block toward accepting the title and premise is Deertouzos' careful avoidance of information technology venture capitalism, marketing, and legal environments that determine what actually is designed, manufactured and marketed. If an author infers that technology will actually happen, then they are obligated to explain when and how momentous longstanding roadblocks will be removed. Of course these issues are discussed but in a highly speculative and vague manner. On a positive note, the section What is Wrong with Technology is very clear and makes the book worth reading. I recommend this book. Despite content sprinkled with lofty assertions, Dertouszos prepares the reader for technological issues which will continue to revolutionize our world.
In the early 1980s, Dr. Dertouzos boldly predicted a place where people could freely exchange information and services using a personal computer. Today this place is widely known as the Internet. Dr. Dertouzos, head of the MIT Lab for Computer Science, uses this book to share more of his ideas and predictions of "What Will Be" in the future. His book, without getting too technical, explains how society will be changed by a new revolution he calls the Information Marketplace. His examples of new networked technologies that will simplify our lives opened my eyes and got me excited about what lies ahead in the future. His idea of a 'Bodynet,' a personal mobile network which enables you to make phone calls, watch the news, and mingle with strangers as you stroll down the block is realistic. But other ideas, such as a database that keeps track of your clean clothes in your closet to help you decide what to wear seems farfetched and even useless. Overall I was satisfied with the content of Dr. Dertouzos' book. It was clear and concise and provided some humorous examples of how the new technologies will be used. I would recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in how technology will shape society's future.
I didn't know anything about Michael Dertouzos prior to discovering and reading this book. It's a presentation of a man's visions of our world's digital future. However, he is not just any man. Dertouzos has been director of the MIT Computer Science Lab for several decades, and has been a leading party in many discoveries and innovations that took place in MIT, or with collaboration to it. He has for many years been a most active participant in the evolution of computers, networks and the Internet itself, thus being the most suitable one to try to envision a picture of our networked world as it will be in the near future.
Dertouzos presents quite interesting aspects about how our future will be shaped by all networked electronic equipment, be they computers, TVs, or mobile devices. He shows how more and more uses of the Net will gradually evolve, uses that most of us have not even imagined possible. He calls the Internet a global "Information Marketplace", since he shows how it will grow to include all human activities, not necessarily linked to computers as we know them today.
The only hitch I can find in Dertouzos's reasoning, is the time he is talking about. While he says that most of the innovations he talks about will start showing up and rapidly evolve in the next 10 to 20 years, I believe that this time is short. My opinion is, it will take quite some more time for all of Dertouzos's dreams and aspirations to come to life and full use.
I wouldn't like to reveal anything more about what's mentioned in this book. I'm not a good summary-writer, so I wouldn't want to spoil your experience of learning What Will Be!
