The cell phone has transformed public places into giant phone-a-thons in which callers exist within narcissistic cocoons of private conversations. read more

The cell phone has transformed public places into giant phone-a-thons in which callers exist within narcissistic cocoons of private conversations. Like faxes, computer modems and other modern gadgets that have clogged out lives with phony urgency, cell phones represent the 20th Century's escalation of imaginary need. We didn't need cell phones until we had them. Clearly, cell phones cause not only a breakdown of courtesy, but the atrophy of basic skills.

The robot is going to lose. Not by much. But when the final score is tallied, flesh and blood is read more

The robot is going to lose. Not by much. But when the final score is tallied, flesh and blood is going to beat the damn monster.

If it keeps up, man will atrophy all his limbs but the push-button finger.

If it keeps up, man will atrophy all his limbs but the push-button finger.

I believe that the science of chemistry alone almost proves the existence of an intelligent creator.

I believe that the science of chemistry alone almost proves the existence of an intelligent creator.

Of all my inventions, I liked the phonograph best. Life's most soothing things are sweet music and a child's goodnight.

Of all my inventions, I liked the phonograph best. Life's most soothing things are sweet music and a child's goodnight.

You can't expect to hit the jackpot if you don't put a few nickels in the machine.

You can't expect to hit the jackpot if you don't put a few nickels in the machine.

All of the books in the world contain no more information than is broadcast as video in a single large read more

All of the books in the world contain no more information than is broadcast as video in a single large American city in a single year. Not all bits have equal value.

We've arranged a civilization in which most crucial elements profoundly depend on science and technology.

We've arranged a civilization in which most crucial elements profoundly depend on science and technology.

What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence a wealth of information creates a read more

What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention, and a need to allocate that attention efficiently among the overabundance of information sources that might consume it.