Drawing from thinkers as diverse as Plato and Kierkegaard, the book is one of the first to introduce philosophical thought into the discussion of how far the internet can or cannot take us.
Dreyfus locates the roots of the user, who, detached from the body, freely surfs, in the Cartesian separation of body and mind, and shows us how Kierkegaard's description of the contemporary reading public foreshadows the internet addict who thirsts for news but avoids the risks they entail.
His provocative theory leads to the conclusion that the privatization of experience ignores the body and basic human capacities such as trust, disposition, risk-taking, dedication, or emotional involvement in common concerns.
Finally, regarding the internet's potential to solve problems of mass education, the author uses fascinating examples from his teaching experience to show that "interactive" education leaves out the joint assumption of risks, which allow for the acquisition of experience.
Thought-provoking and accessible, essential reading for anyone who wants to think clearly about the role of the internet in our future.