Along with the general history, he also predicts possibilities for the future of these technologies and where he sees their focus on advancement lacking such as his belief that high-definition television becomes obsolete in comparison to its transition to a digital medium.
He describes "atoms" as a weighted mass form such as a book and "bits" as "instantaneous and inexpensive transfer of electronic data" that "move at the speed of light.
"[8] In part two, Negroponte discusses the importance of the computer's user interface and how underdeveloped design and functionality can make "being digital" so needlessly complicated.
[9] Negroponte views good interface design as the computer's ability to "know you, learn about your needs, and understand verbal and nonverbal languages.
In part three, "Digital Life", the author states that humanity is in the post-information age where "true personalization" is imminent.
An example Ensmenger and Slayton use is that our global climate change is very dependent on the "assistance of massive databases and complex programs for simulation".
[27] Haigh agrees that "our phones do support call screenings, online communities have contributed to increasing curtail and political polarization".
Timothy Luke prefers the notion of "cybernetic subjectivity" as opposed to Negroponte's concept of being digital.
[28] He points out that Negroponte recognizes that humans are a form of atoms and realms of "mentality, dimensionality, and temporality" unfold into bits[28] This concept is what cybernetic subjectivity is all about.
Luke talks of the hacker, remote worker, or the web surfer emerging and representing themselves as cyber subjects.
[28] He says these positions of "individual agency are more than minor variants of conventional tool usage" and that they bring more participation in which causes a buzz or stir.
In an essay review by Marshall Ruffin, he says Negroponte presents the concept of our society migrating from analog to digital communication in a simplistic way that includes "humor, grace, and no equations".
[30] However, Landcaster agrees with Ruffin and appreciates the book's coherence and inclusion of "interesting anecdotes and nice humor".
[31] In a 1995 review, Samuel C. Florman acknowledges Negroponte's view of the impending digital age, but finds its implications rather "sinister".
[33] Its wide array of content is scattered and disorganized" and is difficult to follow due to a "veering between oversimplification and clunky jargon".
[33] Its main takeaway lies in its "occasional flashes of insight", but is a piece that is muddled by "retreated cyber-hype and familiar predictions".
[33] A common source of concern for many reviews is that Negroponte fails to address the negative implications of being digital.
[30][34][35] Landcaster and Alex Raksin cite copyright as a prevailing issue that Negroponte does not offer insight on how such data can be protected.
[30][34] Simson L. Garfinkel's concern lies within Negroponte's optimism deterring him from considering the potential misuse of the "highly detailed, personal information" that is used to fuel this advancement in technology.
[35] Scott London, a California-based author and journalist, reviewed the book as "Being Dismal",[36] and does not "claim" the same digital technology optimism Negroponte holds for the future.
[36] In an essay review, Barry M. Katz describes the book to be filled with "stimulating, suggestive ideas that can only feed the imagination".
[37] However, Katz does recognize that Negroponte writes with "uncritical zeal", [37] and says that although the book predicts the future with "advent steam", it fails to acknowledge the world "that passed".