I found the parallels between the evolution of the delivery of electricity from self-contained generator systems to the modern-day grid and the evolution of personal computing applications from desktop to the cloud to be fascinating, and a good argument for cloud computing. However, once making that argument, the author proceeds to show his true colors as an anti-technology, privacy-focused, Matrix-fearing Luddite. Disappointing. ( )

Very thoughtful analysis of the current state of computing, citing the movement from hard-drive-based computing to what we are now calling 'cloud computing,' or the tendency to put all information up on a server. Just as the advent of the electrical grid set off a chain reaction of societal and economic transformations, this new 'utility' computing is likely to change not only the way we deal with information, but nearly every aspect of our lives. Carr discusses such areas as the movement of information from institutions to individuals, cyber security, privacy issues, and the internet's contribution to the growing divide between the haves and have-nots. Clearly written, accessible, somewhat sobering. ( )

I have to say I was somewhat unsatisfied with this book after a certain amount of hype. It felt like there were two half books joined together. The first a rather good exploration of the rise of cloud/utility computing drawing a strong analogy with the rise of electricity as a utility. The second half descended into a critique of how society has been impacted by the rise of computing and the Internet, and the rather gloomy prospects which the 'World Wide Computer' brings to the society of the future.Both of these were great in themselves, but I would have been more impressed by a full book on either allowing the exploration of the topics in more depth.I was struck by some of thinking in the second part, particularly the discussions on how personalisation leads towards extremism; a kind of self-reinforcing echo chamber, the destruction of brand platforms and serendipity through the unbundling of content, and the implications of the long tail as a driver of extreme inequality in society. Each of these were thoughts I hadn't really come across previously and gave me a new perspective on the outcomes of the Internet for society. ( )

Well here I go putting one more piece of data about myself out there in the cloud, so perhaps I wasn’t as scared as I thought I was after reading “The Big Switch” by Nicholas Carr. Yesterday, when I read about AOL # 4417749 aka Thelma Arnold, I thought seriously about deleting every account I had and laying low for at least two years, so that Google (My favorite Big Brother.) would forget about me. Maybe I’m braver than I thought and I should go ahead and try reading Stephen King, or maybe I’m just still confident that I can say “No” the hidden subliminal sales pitches, or maybe I’m just being foolish, but I can’t see myself ever allowing them to implant a computer in my head. I can even stand the thought of getting my ears pierced, but I am a little worried about my grandsons who love computer games. ( )

Although some specifics in this book on cloud computing already feel dated, the more general points are quite interesting and well argued. The latter half of the book, where Carr discusses potential societal impacts of what he calls the World Wide Computer, are particularly good. ( )