The Gutenberg Parenthesis: The Age of Print and Its Lessons for the Age of the Internet

The Gutenberg Parenthesis explores the era of print from its beginnings to the digital present, offering lessons for the future. It traces the invention, spread, and evolution of print, as well as the bureaucracy and censorship that followed. It also reveals how print gave rise to the idea of the mass, which came to dominate the public sphere.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

The Gutenberg Parenthesis is a captivating exploration of the print era, from its inception to the digital present. It delves into the profound impact of print culture, shaped by the authority, permanence, and authority of the printed word for five centuries. As a disruptive technology, print ushered in a new era, comparable to the digital migration we witness today. Journalist Jeff Jarvis offers valuable insights from this transitional period, shedding light on the invention, spread, evolution, bureaucracy, and censorship that accompanied the rise of print.

Jarvis traces the origins of Western industrialized print, examining its invention, expansion, and evolution. He highlights how print facilitated the emergence of mass media, mass market, mass culture, and mass politics, shaping the public sphere. The book raises thought-provoking questions about our transition out of the Gutenberg Age. Could it be that we are returning to a time before the dominance of mass media, embracing a society built on conversation and self-reflection?

The Gutenberg Parenthesis offers a complex and compelling history of technology and power. It raises important debates about communication, authorship, and ownership in the digital age. Jarvis' exploration of print on a grand scale provides valuable insights into our past and presents, shaping our understanding of the media and cultural landscape.

Weight: 618g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501394829