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Wonderland : how play made the modern world / Steven Johnson
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Wonderland : how play made the modern world / Steven Johnson

by Steven Johnson

An exploration of how the pursuit of novelty and amusement has historically driven technological innovation. This text analyses the role of play and wonder in fostering significant world-shaping advancements.

Accession 13115 ISBN 9781509837267 Publisher MacMillan
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TAGS
Curated Derived
Animals Art and Society Beauty Culture Economics Entertainment Family and Society Fashion History Human Evolution Life Sciences Music Psychology Science Service Industries Social Sciences
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Hard Back
dimensions
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Identity

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Wonderland : how play made the modern world / Steven Johnson
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13115
vernon_slug
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brief_description
Steven Johnson argues that the pursuit of novelty and wonder has always been a powerful driver of world-shaping technological change. He finds that that throughout history, the cutting edge of innovation lies wherever people are working the hardest to keep themselves and others amused. Johnson s storytelling is just as delightful as the inventions he describes, full of surprising stops along the journey from simple concepts to complex modern systems. He introduces us to the colourful innovators of leisure: the explorers, proprietors, showmen, and artists who changed the trajectory of history with their luxurious wares, exotic meals, taverns, gambling tables, and magic shows.Johnson compellingly argues that observers of technological and social trends should be looking for clues in novel amusements.

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Steven Johnson
tags→ tags
Science, Psychology, Life sciences, History, Social sciences, Civilisation, Sociology, Music, Economics, Commerce, Evolution (Biology), Biology, Families, Social institutions, Human evolution, Children, Play, Recreation, Fashion, Taste, Senses and sensation, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Neurosciences, Medical sciences, Big history, Animal behaviour, Animal psychology, Retail trade, Play behaviour in animals, Music theory, Shopping, Arts and children
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