With the vast majority of Facebook users caught in a frenzy of 'friending', 'liking' and 'commenting', at what point do we pause to grasp the consequences of our info-saturated lives? What compels us to engage so diligently with social networking systems? Networks Without a Cause examines our collective obsession with identity and self-management coupled with the fragmentation and information overload endemic to contemporary online culture. With a dearth of theory on the social and cultural ramifications of hugely popular online services, Lovink provides a path-breaking critical analysis of our over-hyped, networked world with case studies on search engines, online video, blogging, digital radio, media activism and the Wikileaks saga. This book offers a powerful message to media practitioners and theorists: let us collectively unleash our critical capacities to influence technology design and workspaces, otherwise we will disappear into the cloud. Probing but never pessimistic, Lovink draws from his long history in media research to offer a critique of the political structures and conceptual powers embedded in the technologies that shape our daily lives.

"In this Very Short Introduction, Stephen Smith shows how the field of environmental economics looks at how economic activity and policy can affect the environment in which we live. The book discusses environmental issues including pollution control, reducing environmental damage, global climate change policies, questions about how we should balance environmental and economic considerations, and what form government policies should take. In recent years, Smith reveals, many economists have argued for greater use of incentives such as pollution charges and emissions trading rather than more traditional direct regulation of polluters. Including many illustrative case studies, this book offers an illuminating introduction to an exciting field of economics."--Publisher's website.

"Color theory and related color issues are taught in many design schools. The issues surrounding the use of color in a digital realm are of increasing importance. Understanding Color, Fourth Edition offers simple, plain-language explanations of the scientific basis of color perception, an overview of the leading theories of color and explanations of the seeming conflicts among them, and for each concept presented, examples of how theoretical information is applied in solving common problems in color design. This book is invaluable for designers in making sound color choices"-- "Understanding Color, 4e, offers simple, plain-language explanations of the scientific basis of color perception, an overview of the leading theories of color and explanations of the seeming conflicts among them, and for each concept presented, examples of how theoretical information is applied in solving common problems in color design"--