New Reformation

New Reformation (1970) presents Paul Goodman's final major social commentary before his death in 1972. The book examines the relationship between technology, government power, and social progress through a series of interconnected essays. The text focuses on how scientific discoveries become misused by governments and institutions. Goodman argues for technological decentralization and greater input from technologists themselves on the proper applications of their work, while making specific proposals around reducing automobile dependence and supporting space exploration. The work marks Goodman's break from the student counterculture movement of the late 1960s, which he criticized for its ideological weakness. He draws parallels between his era and the Protestant Reformation, suggesting the need for similar fundamental reforms in modern institutions and power structures. This collection of essays explores themes of institutional power, technological ethics, and social transformation, positioning Goodman as a self-described "neolithic conservative" who sought to merge traditional wisdom with progressive reform. The work stands as both a critique of modern society and a vision for potential alternatives.

This book appears to have limited reader reviews and ratings online, making it difficult to provide a comprehensive summary of reader reactions. What readers liked: - Practical criticisms of educational institutions - Connections between religion and social reform - Analysis of youth counterculture in the 1960s - Focus on student empowerment and autonomy What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Dated references and examples - Some readers found the religious parallels forced Available Ratings: Goodreads: 3.67/5 (3 ratings, 0 written reviews) Amazon: No ratings or reviews found WorldCat: No user ratings Due to the book's age (published 1969) and academic nature, there are few public reader reviews available online. Most discussion appears in academic papers and journals rather than consumer review sites. [Note: This response relies on limited data due to scarcity of public reviews. Consider finding additional sources to verify reader reactions.]

The Technological Society by Jacques Ellul The text examines how technical processes dominate modern society and limit human freedom, paralleling Goodman's concerns about technological control.

Small is Beautiful by E. F. Schumacher The book advocates for human-scale technology and decentralized economics, reflecting Goodman's vision for technological reorganization.

Tools for Conviviality by Ivan Illich This work presents a framework for limiting industrial tools and institutions to enhance human autonomy, complementing Goodman's ideas about institutional reform.

The Human Condition by Hannah Arendt The text analyzes the relationship between technology, politics, and human activity in modern society, sharing Goodman's focus on institutional power structures.

Science and Survival by Barry Commoner The book explores the misuse of scientific knowledge by institutions and its environmental consequences, echoing Goodman's critique of technological applications.

🔍 Goodman wrote this book in 1969, just three years before his death, marking it as one of his final major works. 📚 The book's title deliberately echoes Martin Luther's Protestant Reformation, suggesting technology needed a similar radical restructuring in modern society. 🎓 Despite his criticism of institutions, Goodman taught at several prestigious universities including Black Mountain College and the Gestalt Therapy Institute. 🌱 The book was among the first major works to advocate for "appropriate technology," a movement promoting smaller-scale, environmentally sound technological solutions. 💭 Though Goodman was a prominent figure in the 1960s counterculture, this book represented his growing disillusionment with the movement, particularly its embrace of technological utopianism.