Close to the Machine: Technophilia and Its Discontents

by Ellen Ullman and Ellen Ullmann

Book Overview

With a New Introduction by Jaron Lanier A Salon Best Book of the Year In 1997, the computer was still a relatively new tool---a sleek and unforgiving machine that was beyond the grasp of most users.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0872863328
• ISBN13: 9780872863323
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: City Lights Books
• Length: 189 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

By a geek for the geeks

This is a beautiful book, written by someone who not only understands how to work computers, but understands how the computer is working on her -- the seduction of the machine, the impact it has on her life, and the compromises she has to make around her choices. The basic problem is that this book is probably completely incomprehensible to anyone who doesn't see computers in the same way. Ullman's commentary is all about the same subject: not about computers, but about people, and the kinds of people who are attracted and subverted by technology. If you're not a geek, you'll probably be mystified. If you are, you'll be riveted.This is probably the same reason why I fall asleep reading the New Yorker, only in reverse.

Good depth of field, psychology

Ullman's book was incredibly different from anything I've read before. Ullman proves to be as talented at writing as she is with her computing work. The psychology and portrayal of human relations is extremely insightful. Her descriptions of her lifestyle, career, the work itself, the short-lived personal relations with her collegues, are well-written and honest, yet harrowing. As a female student of the sciences, what technology has made her turned me off once and for all from the field of computer science as a career choice. Yet "Close to the Machine" is still an absorbing read.

A Meditation on Programming Versus Life

Anyone who's ever tinkered with programming knows that the most difficult part is reducing the "real world" to machine-readable variables. Ellen Ullman's wonderful book is a meditation on life, love, the human condition and how it's always messier than a good program. She wishes her life was more like a good COBOL routine. It's entertaining and you'll learn a lot about subroutines and anarchocapitalism and "creating wealth" in these Microsoft greed years.

Not so much cyberspace as personal space, but recommended.

Ellen Ullman's very personal story of her life as a bisexual woman and as a woman in a field (still) dominated by men is a good read. She writes about the love and fascination with computer technology which many of us share, the loss of a rather distant parent, which many of us have suffered, and the life of a somewhat lonely person, which many of us are. The technology is not overwhelming, the personal story is more than a little too revealing, but it all works. I highly recommend 'Close to the Machine'

Buy this book now

As I read this book I felt a keen sense of familiarity. I live this life as well, down to every detail but being Ellen Ullman. I've had the same experiences; the rush of programming on a great project, the hits and near misses on stock options, the empty cubicles, the rush of a new contract, the longing for the regularity of an old-fashioned company, etc. I also know first hand about the culture of the neighborhood she describes, since I too live in a loft down there, although I am married, male, and have a kid. In fact, as I got my WSJ the other day, I saw hers stacked on top of mine. I have never met her, but because of the similarities in our lives as described in the excellent book, I do know that what she says is far far truer than any of the books that purport to tell everyone outside of the area about high tech here. But the book resonates not because we're neighbors; her book is true, and well written. Two reasons enough to buy this book ASAP. Skip "Start-Up" and "Architects of the Web" (please). This is the real thing.