What unique attributes can we identify in the new technological economy? How might we understand individual characteristics that traditional economic theory tends to overlook? In a thought-provoking but easily read presentation, Dolgin helps us see the transformative times in which we live. Anyone seeking to understand the relationship between individuals and groups in our modern economic and social dynamics will want to spend some time reading this book.

Dolgin’s approach is jargon and formula free. No special reader expertise is required. One has the impression that this is a scouting report from a new frontier. The book is divided into two main units: “The Second Invisible Hand of the Market” and “The Symbolic Economics Approach of the Humanities and Humanitarian Practices.”

The new consumer society is increasingly driven by a variety of information exchanges between suppliers and groupings of individuals. This may appear obvious, but consider the recent crowdsourcing phenomenon that creates in effect a collective intelligence. Public observation of purchasing, in contrast to pricing, is the “second invisible hand.” Direct distribution of products to consumers involves the well-known psychological principles of reciprocity and trust that new technology facilitates.

Dolgin addresses numerous issues, including monetizing social networks, copyright in our modern world, and the significance of group memberships. Connecting personal satisfaction to broader social well-being may be possible. Going even further, understanding the relationship of attention, memory, and time allows us to focus on “imprinting a society.” Modern technology allows continuous voting by individuals, not only in consumption, but also in politics. Acknowledging the risks, Dolgin nevertheless is optimistic.

Several appendices provide examples of empirical data that may be obtained from a collaborative system, such as movie ratings. Dolgin concludes that many questions may be answered with extracted network data.

In summary, this presentation allows the reader to understand the significance of the transformations occurring in the world in which we are immersed.