The rise of the "information society" offers not only considerable peril but also great promise. Beset from all sides by a never-ending barrage of media, how can we ensure that the most accurate information emerges and is heeded? In this book, Cass R. Sunstein develops a deeply optimisticunderstanding of the human potential to pool information, and to use that knowledge to improve our lives. In an age of information overload, it is easy to fall back on our own prejudices and "Think "hot dog" was coined by a New York baseball vendor, or that a certain vulgarity originated as an acronym? Then you need to read this book, which shows that some of the best etymological stories are just talltales."-Chicago Tribune (10 Best Books About Language, 2004)"Amateur, no make that professional logophile and word origins website editor Wilton corrects the mistakes many of us make in what we believe are the origins of words and phrases. He begins by examining the o rigins of these fallacies, andwhy we persist in perpetuating them. After relieving us of any misconceptions about the existence of Dr. Condom, and sorting out that pesky "crap" question, Wilton concludes with ways to find, and enjoy the true origins of words."-Reference and Research Book News"This fascinating collection ofmyths about word origins should be a joy to read."-Don McCreary, Department of English, University of Georgia. Release Form -09.23.04 libcrd 12/02/04m technological development. Prediction markets aggregate information in a way that allows companies, ranging from computer manufacturers toHollywood studios, to make better decisions about product launches and office openings. Sunstein shows how people can assimilate aggregated information without succumbing to the dangers of the herd mentality-and when and why the new aggregation techniques are so astoundingly accurate. In a world where opinion and anecdote increasingly compete on equal footing with hard evidence, the on-line effort of many minds coming together might well provide the best path to infotopia. | Infotopia by Cass R. Sunstein, Hardcover | Indigo Chapters