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A Prehistory of the Cloud (Mit Press)

Name: A Prehistory of the Cloud (Mit Press)
Price: 16.04 USD
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Book Synopsis: The militarized legacy of the digital cloud: how the cloud grew out of older network technologies and politics. We may imagine the digital cloud as placeless, mute, ethereal, and unmediated. Yet the reality of the cloud is embodied in thousands of massive data centers, any one of which can use as much electricity as a midsized town. Even all these data centers are only one small part of the cloud. Behind that cloud-shaped icon on our screens is a whole universe of technologies and cultural norms, all working to keep us from noticing their existence. In this book, Tung-Hui Hu examines the gap between the real and the virtual in our understanding of the cloud. Hu shows that the cloud grew out of such older networks as railroad tracks, sewer lines, and television circuits. He describes key moments in the prehistory of the cloud, from the game “Spacewar” as exemplar of time-sharing computers to Cold War bunkers that were later reused as data centers. Countering the popular perception of a new “cloudlike” political power that is dispersed and immaterial, Hu argues that the cloud grafts digital technologies onto older ways of exerting power over a population. But because we invest the cloud with cultural fantasies about security and participation, we fail to recognize its militarized origins and ideology. Moving between the materiality of the technology itself and its cultural rhetoric, Hu's account offers a set of new tools for rethinking the contemporary digital environment.

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Step into the fascinating world of digital technology with A Prehistory of the Cloud book from Mit Press. Discover how the digital cloud, which may appear ethereal and placeless, is actually deeply rooted in tangible data centers that consume massive amounts of electricity. By exploring the historical evolution of the cloud from older network technologies like railroad tracks and television circuits, Tung-Hui Hu reveals the complex relationship between the real and the virtual in our modern digital landscape.

Uncover the hidden connections between the physical infrastructure of the cloud and the cultural norms that shape our understanding of technology. From Cold War bunkers repurposed as data centers to the intricate web of power dynamics embedded within the digital cloud, Hu's insightful analysis challenges conventional perceptions of the cloud as a decentralized and immaterial entity. Dive deep into the origins of the cloud and gain a fresh perspective on the intersection of technology, power, and ideology.

Join the discourse on the cultural impact of the cloud and equip yourself with a new lens through which to view our digital environment. A Prehistory of the Cloud offers a thought-provoking journey through the historical underpinnings of the cloud, shedding light on its militarized origins and the technological forces that shape our digital ecosystem. Embrace the complexity of the cloud and elevate your understanding of the interconnected world we inhabit.

Ready to explore the hidden depths of the digital cloud? Embrace the transformative insights offered by A Prehistory of the Cloud and unlock a new dimension of understanding in the digital realm. Click here to embark on this enlightening journey today!

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