UPDATE II: I finished reading Army of Davids! Great conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has already made me rethink my career direction and academic pursuits in light of some of Glenn's insight into the effects technology is having on our society. We are living historical moments, and Glenn documents what is happening with great accuracy, and presents a vision of what is yet to come.
Glenn's perspective struck me as very positive, perhaps almost utopian. I am a bit more cynical than he is.
My only disappointment with Army of Davids was the fact that he did not touch on the effects technology is having on spirituality, faith, and the organized church. The book covered well the future in regards to intellect, the physical world, and technology, but he ignores (or perhaps left it out as beyond the scope of this book) the impact this will have on spirituality, faith, and those who follow a religion.
Regardless of technological progress, faith and the Judeo-Christian worldview will continue to have a long lasting, and deep effect on our society as a whole. Perhaps this has a big part in why I thought he was somewhat utopian. While he does not ignore humanities flaws, I don't have as much hope for a better and more peaceful humanity of the future.
But then again, my worldview is highly influenced by the Bible, the concept of a fallen human nature, and the return of Christ and the end-times. As a believer in a loving God who has a personal interest in humanity, I found the book lacking perspective in this regard. I don't know where Glenn is in his personal faith-walk, but I wish he had covered the impact technology is having on human spirituality.
Never the less, Reynold's positive outlook and perspective on the present social transformation are valuable insight for anyone--whether it be a priest, pastor, CEO, or politician. All around great book. Buy it today.
Also, if you haven't already, check out my response to La Shawn Barbers request for quotes. I made some comments in response to the book.
UPDATE: Welcome to Instapundit readers. Look around--I hope you will stick around. Check out my welcome post, where I track the history of my blog. Of course, my favorite subject is the problem of illegal immigration. I invite you to check out my various posts on the issue.
BOOK REVIEW: Army of Davids.
I'm now through chapter 8 of Army of Davids, and my wife is getting annoyed with my constant, "listen to this..." when I insist on reading compelling parts to her. Glenn's offers right-on insight into the social transformation taking place right in front of our noses, and the book will change the way you look at many things.
The book is amazingly comprehensive in what it covers, and I am thoroughly enjoying it, which I hope is not reflected in my pending Accounting mid-term. Support my blog by buying it through my Amazon referral account.
***
I managed to finangle a copy of "Army of Davids" before it comes out Tuesday, and I am about half way through it. It is fantastic! If you are thinking its just going to be another book about how the blogs are defeating the mainstream media, you are wrong. Sure, that is covered, but Glenn covers (so far, I'm in chapter 6) how technology is having huge evolutionary changes in areas such as the arts, business, and government.
I can't help but wonder how technology will eventually bring about a smaller government so many conservatives wish for?
The one thing I am wishing, as I read through the book, is that these sort of books would be quickly translated to Spanish, and put in the hands of influential Latin American business and government leaders. Technology, with their rapidly lower costs, can be the tools that regular citizens in third world countries can use to reduce corruption, fight crime, and generate new economic opportunities.
This is a MUST READ for every Hispanic / Latino student planning on returning to their home country, and for every Latinamerican diplomat and government official currently residing in the US. I realize that the cost challenge is higher in third world countries, but technology is still very accessible to thousands of ordinary citizens. Broadband cable is already quite accessible, and Internet cafe's provide anyone with ready access to the web for a good price. Can you imagine what these sort of ideas might do to curb corruption in government?
Of course, if you haven't already, you have to read Blog, by Hugh Hewitt.
I'll be posting a more comprehensive book review on Monday, if you care to wait for it.
Glenn's perspective struck me as very positive, perhaps almost utopian. I am a bit more cynical than he is.
My only disappointment with Army of Davids was the fact that he did not touch on the effects technology is having on spirituality, faith, and the organized church. The book covered well the future in regards to intellect, the physical world, and technology, but he ignores (or perhaps left it out as beyond the scope of this book) the impact this will have on spirituality, faith, and those who follow a religion.
Regardless of technological progress, faith and the Judeo-Christian worldview will continue to have a long lasting, and deep effect on our society as a whole. Perhaps this has a big part in why I thought he was somewhat utopian. While he does not ignore humanities flaws, I don't have as much hope for a better and more peaceful humanity of the future.
But then again, my worldview is highly influenced by the Bible, the concept of a fallen human nature, and the return of Christ and the end-times. As a believer in a loving God who has a personal interest in humanity, I found the book lacking perspective in this regard. I don't know where Glenn is in his personal faith-walk, but I wish he had covered the impact technology is having on human spirituality.
Never the less, Reynold's positive outlook and perspective on the present social transformation are valuable insight for anyone--whether it be a priest, pastor, CEO, or politician. All around great book. Buy it today.
Also, if you haven't already, check out my response to La Shawn Barbers request for quotes. I made some comments in response to the book.
UPDATE: Welcome to Instapundit readers. Look around--I hope you will stick around. Check out my welcome post, where I track the history of my blog. Of course, my favorite subject is the problem of illegal immigration. I invite you to check out my various posts on the issue.
BOOK REVIEW: Army of Davids.
I'm now through chapter 8 of Army of Davids, and my wife is getting annoyed with my constant, "listen to this..." when I insist on reading compelling parts to her. Glenn's offers right-on insight into the social transformation taking place right in front of our noses, and the book will change the way you look at many things.
The book is amazingly comprehensive in what it covers, and I am thoroughly enjoying it, which I hope is not reflected in my pending Accounting mid-term. Support my blog by buying it through my Amazon referral account.
***
I managed to finangle a copy of "Army of Davids" before it comes out Tuesday, and I am about half way through it. It is fantastic! If you are thinking its just going to be another book about how the blogs are defeating the mainstream media, you are wrong. Sure, that is covered, but Glenn covers (so far, I'm in chapter 6) how technology is having huge evolutionary changes in areas such as the arts, business, and government.
I can't help but wonder how technology will eventually bring about a smaller government so many conservatives wish for?
The one thing I am wishing, as I read through the book, is that these sort of books would be quickly translated to Spanish, and put in the hands of influential Latin American business and government leaders. Technology, with their rapidly lower costs, can be the tools that regular citizens in third world countries can use to reduce corruption, fight crime, and generate new economic opportunities.
This is a MUST READ for every Hispanic / Latino student planning on returning to their home country, and for every Latinamerican diplomat and government official currently residing in the US. I realize that the cost challenge is higher in third world countries, but technology is still very accessible to thousands of ordinary citizens. Broadband cable is already quite accessible, and Internet cafe's provide anyone with ready access to the web for a good price. Can you imagine what these sort of ideas might do to curb corruption in government?
Of course, if you haven't already, you have to read Blog, by Hugh Hewitt.
I'll be posting a more comprehensive book review on Monday, if you care to wait for it.
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