Now You See It by Cathy Davidson

Now You See It by Cathy Davidson is a book that explores the implications of the digital age on our lives, work, and learning. The book begins with the story of how Davidson and Duke University gave free iPods to their freshman class in 2003, which was met with criticism. However, when students found academic uses for the music players, the idea was seen in a new light.

The book then delves into the concept of “attention blindness” and how it has produced one of our society’s greatest challenges: while we’ve all acknowledged the great changes of the digital age, most of us still toil in schools and workplaces designed for the last century.

Davidson introduces us to visionaries whose groundbreaking ideas—from schools with curriculums built around video games to companies that train workers using virtual environments—will open the doors to new ways of working and learning.

The main themes of the book are the importance of embracing the digital age, the power of collaboration, and the potential of technology to transform our lives. Davidson argues that the digital age offers us an opportunity to rethink how we learn, work, and live. She encourages us to be open to new ideas and to embrace the potential of technology to create a better future.

What I Liked

I liked the optimism and hopefulness of this book. It has big hopes and big dreams for technology – and ideas worth testing out.

What I Did Not Like

There is nowhere near enough attention given to the downsides of technology adoption. Unlike Digital Minimalism, the book seems to recommend adopting technology for technology’s sake…which has usually been a bad idea.

This review sat in my drafts folder for 10+ years. And looking back over what happened between 2011 and 2023, it’s become pretty obvious that some technology has been amazing, some has been mediocre, and some has been downright harmful.

The main takeaway for me has been to define a goal and find the right solution rather thank blindly adopting the latest / greatest technology.

Now You See It: How Technology and Brain Science Will Transform Schools and Business for the 21st Century by Cathy N. Davidson

$21.98

In Now You See It, Cathy Davidson tackles how the digital age reshapes our lives, work, and learning. Starting with an experiment at Duke University involving free iPods, she highlights how technology can enhance education when embraced correctly. I appreciated her optimistic view and exciting examples of innovative learning environments. However, I felt she glossed over the potential downsides of technology, unlike other works that urge caution. Reflecting on the last decade, it’s clear that not all tech is beneficial, and it’s crucial to adopt it thoughtfully rather than jumping on every new trend.

Pros:

• The book is optimistic and hopeful about technology's potential.
• It presents big ideas worth testing in education and work.
• Davidson encourages embracing new ideas and collaboration.

Cons:

• There is insufficient attention to the downsides of technology adoption.
• The book seems to advocate for technology for its own sake.
• This review reflects a long-term concern about the mixed impact of technology.

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01/21/2025 08:01 pm GMT