The Laws of Cool : Knowledge Work and the Culture of Information

Knowledge work is now the reigning business paradigm and affects even the world of higher education. But what perspective can the knowledge of the humanities and arts contribute to a world of knowledge work whose primary mission is business? And what is the role of information technology as both the servant of the knowledge economy and the medium of a new technological cool? In __The Laws of Cool__, Alan Liu reflects on these questions as he considers the emergence of new information technologies and their profound influence on the forms and practices of knowledge. Annotation Knowledge Work Is Now The Reigning Business Paradigm And Affects Even The World Of Higher Education. But What Perspective Can The Knowledge Of The Humanities And Arts Contribute To A World Of Knowledge Work Whose Primary Mission Is Business? And What Is The Role Of Information Technology As Both The Servant Of The Knowledge Economy And The Medium Of A New Technological Cool? In The Laws Of Cool, Alan Liu Reflects On These Questions As He Considers The Emergence Of New Information Technologies And Their Profound Influence On The Forms And Practices Of Knowledge. Part I The New Enlightenment Preface? -- Unnice Work?: Knowledge Work And The Academy -- Chapter 1 The Idea Of Knowledge Work -- Part Ii Ice Ages Preface?we Work Here, But We?re Cool? -- Chapter 2 Automating -- Chapter 3 Informating -- Chapter 4 Networking -- Part Iii The Laws Of Cool Preface?what?s Cool?? -- Chapter 5 The Ethos Of Information -- Chapter 6 Information Is Style -- Chapter 7 The Feeling Of Information -- Chapter 8 Cyber-politics And Bad Attitude -- Part Iv Humanities And Arts In The Age Of Knowledge Work Preface?more? -- Chapter 9 The Tribe Of Cool -- Chapter 10 Historicizing Cool: Humanities In The Information Age -- Chapter 11 Destructive Creativity: The Arts In The Information Age -- Chapter 12 Speaking Of History: Toward An Alliance Of New Humanities And New Arts (with A Prolegomenon On The Future Literary) Epilogue Appendixes A. Taxonomy Of Knowledge Work B. Chronology Of Downsizing (through The 1990s) C.?ethical Hacking? And Art. Alan Liu. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 495-539) And Index. Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction......Page 14 Part I: The New Enlightenment......Page 26 Preface......Page 27 The Idea of Knowledge Work......Page 36 Part II: Ice Ages......Page 88 Preface......Page 89 Automating......Page 94 Informating......Page 118 Networking......Page 154 Part III: The Laws of Cool......Page 188 Preface......Page 189 The Ethos of Information......Page 194 Information is Style......Page 208 The Feeling of Information......Page 244 Cyber-Politics and Bad Attitudes......Page 252 Part IV: Humanities and Arts in the Age of Knowledge Work......Page 298 Preface......Page 299 The Tribe of Cool......Page 302 Historicizing Cool......Page 314 Destructive Creativity......Page 330 Speaking of History......Page 386 Epilogue......Page 398 Appendix A......Page 404 Appendix B......Page 407 Appendix C......Page 409 Notes......Page 412 Works Cited......Page 508 Index......Page 554 Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Introduction 14 Part I: The New Enlightenment 26 Preface 27 The Idea of Knowledge Work 36 Part II: Ice Ages 88 Preface 89 Automating 94 Informating 118 Networking 154 Part III: The Laws of Cool 188 Preface 189 The Ethos of Information 194 Information is Style 208 The Feeling of Information 244 Cyber-Politics and Bad Attitudes 252 Part IV: Humanities and Arts in the Age of Knowledge Work 298 Preface 299 The Tribe of Cool 302 Historicizing Cool 314 Destructive Creativity 330 Speaking of History 386 Epilogue 398 Appendixes 404 Appendix A 404 Appendix B 407 Appendix C 409 Notes 412 Works Cited 508 Index 554

Knowledge work is now the reigning business paradigm and affects even the world of higher education. But what perspective can the knowledge of the humanities and arts contribute to a world of knowledge work whose primary mission is business? And what is the role of information technology as both the servant of the knowledge economy and the medium of a new technological cool? In The Laws of Cool, Alan Liu reflects on these questions as he considers the emergence of new information technologies and their profound influence on the forms and practices of knowledge.