Digital Philosophy

EdTech Insight

Transmedia and Education

SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2011

I am currently reading a book titled Hamlet's Blackberry written by William Powers- (former writer for the Washington Post).  Although I personally don't agree with all of what he says, I do like his approach and found it to be an exercise in reflection causing me to think about various points of view regarding life in this digital age.  Most interesting to me was part two of the book in which Powers reflects on some of the teachings great philosophers and thinkers and uses them as inspiration in developing a philosophy for life with screens.

Part two of the book is called 'Teachings of the Seven Philosophers of Screens' and includes:

- Walking to Heaven:  Plato Discovers Distance
- The Spa of the Mind:  Seneca on Inner Space
- Little Mirrors:  Gutenberg and the Business of Inwardness
- Hamlet's Blackberry:  Shakespeare on the Beauty of Old Tools
- Inventing Your Life:  Ben Franklin on Positive Rituals
- The Walden Zone:  Thoreau on Making the Home a Refuge
- A Cooler Self:  McLuhan and the Thermostat of Happiness

Although I may not agree with all that is mentioned, I do think this book raises important points about the importance to having guiding principals and an underlying digital philosophy- particularly when reading from screens is the primary method of absorbing and retaining information for many children.