Breton (anthropology, U. of Strasbourg) examines the cultural evolution of the Internet, following the influence it has on advocates, detractors and moderates. He traces the foundations of the Internet ethos from diverse sources such as 1960's counterculture, the new age movement, classical liberalism, youth culture, Buddhism, libertarianism, and classic science fiction and utopian literature. He argues that the overriding values of the Internet advocate for openness, transparency, and direct, unmediated communication which leads to a rejection of the public/private divide and embrace of a morality based on having nothing to hide. Breton explores the application of these mores on everything from hacking to e-commerce, education, new journalism, and the political appropriation of the web. Annotation 2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
