Hans Schnitzler – A Little Philosophy of Digital Abstinence
Hans Schnitzler – A Little Philosophy of Digital Abstinence
About the book
A thought provoking book that will make you consider your digital existence
Is a virtual experience the same as a physical experience? Do Facebook friends exist? Is boredom a problem? Is there a difference between your online and offline identities? When do you become an addict?
More and more people are struggling to deal with the onscreen world. Schools and businesses are experimenting with screen-free days, resorts and training courses are springing up to offer digital detox and there is a widespread desire to ‘disconnect’. Philosopher Hans Schnitzler talks to millennials who have tried a period of digital abstinence. Is it still possible to find your way? When you put aside your phone, what takes its place? Do you still have friends? Do you still exist? And perhaps the most interesting philosophical question of all: is it possible simply to pick up your digital life again later? This book shows what happens if you suddenly go offline in a world that is always online. Schnitzler uses his interviews to paint a recognizable picture of the problems of modern humanity.
Press on previous work:
This is an alarming book about the fate of humanity in a world where digital technology and ‘the net’ have
fundamentally altered our existence. Schnitzler successfully articulates the potential drawbacks in an erudite,
intelligent, enthralling and eloquent manner. - AD VERBRUGGE, PHILOSOPHER
Schnitzler is a born philosopher, as can clearly be seen from his Marxist-tinted analysis of the consequences of the digital revolution. With great clarity he cites many philosophers of today and yesterday, such as Marcuse, Kant, Marx and Sloterdijk. **** - NRC HANDELSBLAD
Author
Hans Schnitzler (b. 1968) is a philosopher, commentator and former columnist for de Volkskrant. His essays and opinion pieces have appeared in publications including NRC Handelsblad, nrc.next, Trouw, De Standaard, De Morgen and Hard Gras. He writes columns for the journalistic platform Follow The Money and teaches at the Bildung Academie. 2015 saw the publication of his work The Digital Proletariat.
Additional book information
- Philosophy
- ISBN 9789023477280
- Number of pages: 176
- World rights: De Bezige Bij
- Price: € 12,99