Jaron Lanier first published “You Are Not a Gadget” in 2010. It is an articulate warning on the direction of the internet, particularly related to a prioritisation of technology ahead of humanity, standardisation ahead of creativity and perceived loss of the original intent for the internet itself.

What does the author do well in this book?

Like many technologists, Lanier uses the word ‘elegant’ to describe ideas, concepts, and coding quite a lot. I am glad he did because it allows me to use that same word (elegant) to describe how we writes.

Many technology books are dry with the only real excitement created in areas that are deliberately being hyped. Even then, there is little real emotion evident.

Not this book. Emotion and desire are at the forefront and are then supported by technology-based fact and conclusion. Not the other way. It is as if Lanier made a point to showcase how humanity should take precedence over technology by authoring a book that does exactly that…elegantly, too I might add.

Concepts to explore.

“Technology criticism shouldn’t be left the Luddites.”

- Jaron Lanier

Lanier has been a prominent part of the tech-scene since the 1980’s and was part of the first team to build virtual reality capabilities. He is not an outsider criticizing from a place of ignorance, he is a technology evangelist presenting an alternative view of how it can be used.

“Many of my friends disagree with me. It is to their credit that I feel free to speak my mind, knowing that I will still be welcome in our world.”

- Jaron Lanier

In an ever more polarised world, which technology is certainly contributing to, Lanier demonstrates through story that differing opinions need not equal exclusion. Another great example that human expression supersedes bits and bytes.

“Create a website that expresses something about who you are that won’t fit into a template available to you on a social networking site.”

- Jaron Lanier

This was music to my ears. I recently embarked on a redesign of my own website and struggled with the conflict of a steady stream of advice showing AI or template driven SAAS providers launching websites in minutes versus my inner intuition telling me that I wanted to build something special. Much of the advice suggested that it is your content that showcases who you are, however, this largely referenced text or video only. I wanted my entire website to be an expression of who I am and what I believe and selected the longer journey of a custom re-design. It is a similar concept with my LinkedIn posts and articles, I am deliberately trying to showcase my authentic self, add colour and emotion to a sometimes-sterile environment, and be interesting. I’m not there yet but my voice is coming. Lanier’s insistence on creativity, authenticity and taking the time to create interesting things validated my decision with my website.

“This is what happened when elements of indigenous cultures were preserved but de-alienated by missionaries. We know a little about what Aztec or Inca music sounded like, for instance, but the bits that were trimmed to make the music fit into the European idea of church song were the most precious bits. The alien bits are where the flavour is found. They are the portals to strange philosophies.”

- Jaron Lanier

This quote showcases what we collectively lose through standardisation and implied (or enforced) control of what constitutes acceptable or real creative output. Whether it is through overt techniques, colonization for example, or subversive techniques such as platform shadow-banning, there is so much more room for individual expression and ideas.

There are multiple quotes in this book that are worthy of lengthy discussion. I will create more detailed posts exploring specific quotes in the future.

How this book can be used

This book is an important read as you consider:

• Embarking on a new creative project that involves technology – use it to retain your identity and spark.
• How to deal with a colleague or friend with shared expertise who expresses a contrasting view – use it to remember you can still disagree without falling out.
• As a worker in technology, learn to sit back and evaluate new technologies with humans in the centre. What may be exciting and flashy might also be a poorly designed, template driven product that constrains your ability to create.

I will re-read sections of this book in the future, either as reminders to myself of important concepts or to inspire my writing as I seek “elegance.”