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Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World
Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World | Steven Johnson
10 posts | 11 read | 17 to read
From theNew York Times bestselling author ofHow We Got to NowandWhere Good Ideas Come From, a look atthe world-changing innovations we made while keeping ourselves entertained. This lushly illustrated history of popular entertainment takes along-zoom approach, contending that the pursuit of novelty and wonder is a powerful driver of world-shaping technological change. Steven Johnson argues that, throughout history, the cutting edge of innovation lies wherever people are working the hardest to keep themselves and others amused. Johnson s storytelling is just as delightful as the inventions he describes, full of surprising stops along the journey from simple concepts to complex modern systems. He introduces us to the colorful innovators of leisure: the explorers, proprietors, showmen, and artists who changed the trajectory of history with their luxurious wares, exotic meals, taverns, gambling tables, and magic shows. Johnson compellingly argues that observers of technological and social trends should be looking for clues in novel amusements. You ll find the future wherever people are having the most fun."
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sidherinn
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Litsi
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Pickpick

Did you know
That spices are what fueled the economies of Venice, Amsterdam and London?
That a woman invented the first version of monopoly as a criticism of capitalism and that it had two versions of game play- be a capitalist or a socialist?
That the lowly keyboard arguably advanced technology more than the auto?
That the European craze for calico fabric transformed the act of shoping? Me either. Flawed book, but learned a lot.

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booksbaconglitter
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Mehso-so

This mostly felt like a long rambling book about a TON of facts. Parts were enjoyable, mostly about topics that interested me like Disney. I'm glad I did the audio on double speed because I'm not sure I would've read the whole thing otherwise.

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booksbaconglitter
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I'm not loving this as much as I thought I would, but it's a pretty short audiobook so I'll push through.

18 likes1 stack add
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Jokila
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Mehso-so

This was pretty dry for a pop science book. I remember liking Everything Bad is Good for You by Steven Johnson back in high school but I think my expectations of nonfiction have risen in the days of excellent science podcasts like Invisibilia, Hidden Brain, and Freakonomics. I listened to half of this on audiobook and repeatedly felt obligated to apologize to my boyfriend for subjecting him to so many boring facts about the history of cotton. 😐

Books88 Lovely picture! 7y
Jokila @AJBowers thank you! ☺️ 7y
Zelma 😂 your poor boyfriend. I can't imagine hearing about cotton is particularly fascinating. 7y
43 likes3 comments
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Jen2
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Mehso-so

Some interesting parts but way too technical.

mom2bugnbee Could you explain a bit more? "Too technical" -- would this be a good read for someone interested in pursuing theatre/film as a career? Or is it just too technical no matter who you are? TIA! 7y
Cinfhen Cute cover, though! 7y
Jen2 It was too technical for me personally. You might love it!!! 7y
88 likes3 comments
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Luv2readbookz
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Saw this while browsing at the library. Looks interesting. #nonfiction

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FountainBookstore
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Pickpick

Turns out "play" is the "mother of invention". Cool.

BookBabe 👍🏻 8y
7 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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MrBook
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Jean Case, Chairman of the National Geographic Society, has chosen these as her favorite 2016 reads. Have you read any of these? I want to read *all* of them, thank you very much 😁! I'm having a blast finding out what various people enjoyed reading this past year ☺️! #ReadToLead

cathysaid The Girls of Atomic City rocks! Amazing what these women did at a time when many thought they were out of their league. 👍 8y
Jessicav I have Wonderland in my Audible library and have high hopes for it. Hillbilly Elegy keeps catching my eye as well... 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Endurance is great (but I thought it was piblished decades ago? I certainly read it a few years back. New edition?) a great book, anyway!! 8y
See All 12 Comments
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Oh oh - wait - Im an idiot - never mind! (I need tots to fortify my addled brain) 8y
RinaBrahmbhattBarot I've read originals great book 8y
Gulfsidemusing I read Girls of Atomic City and Hillbilly Elegy this year... and recommend both!👍📚 8y
Alfoster I read the original Toffler's Third Wave years ago for my Masters class so need to read this one! 8y
LibrarianJen I still haven't read Girls of Atomic City. I don't really read books about where I'm from. Which is silly, I know! 8y
Jaimelire Girls of Atomic City....super interesting read! 8y
Alwayscoolwb I've read endurance and hillbilly elegy. Both enjoyable reads. 8y
BarbaraJean I love these types of lists, but they also make me edgy as I start thinking of my own "best of" list... because it feels like a looming deadline! I start thinking: But wait! I still have three more weeks! I can still squeeze more books in! 8y
Blueberry I wonder if Nat George still has there traveling warehouse book sales. They were pretty awesome. 8y
125 likes4 stack adds12 comments
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Joriebooks
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Waiting at the airport to pick up my dad. I found 2 books to put on the Christmas Wish List. 🤓📚

Seekingtardis I LOVE A.K so much!! It's on my (growing) Christmas list too!! 8y
55 likes1 stack add1 comment