Book · 2004 · History
America as Second Creation
Technology and Narratives of New Beginnings
Why people recommend it
America as Second Creation by David E. Nye is a historical examination of how technological infrastructure reshaped the United States, providing insights into the societal changes driven by new innovations. During an appearance on The Ezra Klein Show in an episode titled A Lot Has Happened in A.I. Let’s Catch Up. released on December 1, 2023, Kevin Roose discussed this subject while recommending the author's related book Electrifying America. Kevin Roose told host Ezra Klein that he had been reading the thirty-year-old history book about the historical process by which the United States adopted electricity. Kevin Roose explained that this older historical work had proven to be very interesting to read as he sought to understand massive technological shifts. He used the book to draw historical parallels to the current era, noting how the introduction of electricity and the widespread transformation that followed mirrored the potential societal changes and disruptions currently being brought about by modern artificial intelligence. By looking backward at how Americans adapted to the electrical grid, Kevin Roose suggested readers could gain a better perspective on navigating contemporary technological revolutions and the complex anxieties surrounding emerging digital tools.
Who recommended it
- Kevin Roose Recommended
Kevin Roose — 1 mention
“one of them is called electrifying America by David E NY it is a 30-year-old history book about the process by which America got electricity and it has been very interesting to read”