The Myth of the Machine

infobox Book
name = The Myth of the Machine
author = Lewis Mumford
publisher = Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
location = New York
language = English
classification = Non-Fiction
publication date = Vol.1 1967/ Vol.2 1970
media_type = 2 Vols. Print
pages = Vol.1 352 pages / Vol.2 495 pages
isbn = Vol.1 ISBN 0156623412 / Vol.2 ISBN 0151639744

"The Myth of the Machine" is a two volume series of books taking an in-depth look at the forces that have shaped modern technology since prehistoric times. The first volume, "Technics and Human Development" was published in 1967, followed by the second volume, "The Pentagon of Power" in 1970. He shows the parallel developments between human tools and social organization mainly through language and rituals. [Mumford (1970, 12).] It is considered a synthesis of many theories Mumford developed throughout his prolific writing career.

Megamachine

"In "The Myth of the Machine", Mumford insisted upon the reality of the megamachine: the convergence of science, technics and political power as a unified community of interpretation rendering useless and eccentric life-enhancing values. Subversion of this authoritarian kingdom begins with that area of human contact with the world that cannot be successfully repressed - one's feelings about one's self." [Lewis Freid, Makers of the City, Univ Massachusetts Press, 1990. p 115]

ee also

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References

Bibliography

*Mumford, Lewis, 1970. "The Pentagon of Power: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich". ISBN 0151639744.
*Lewis Mumford, Reflections, "REFLECTIONS I-THE MEGAMACHINE," "The New Yorker", October 10, 1970, p. 50 [http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1970/10/10/1970_10_10_050_TNY_CARDS_000298638 abstract]
*Watson, David 1998. "Against the Megamachine: Essays on Empire and its Enemies".