Clive Thompson

Clive Thompson is an acclaimed author, journalist, and media commentator whose works illuminate the cultural impact of digital technologies. Thompson has published several books exploring the effects of technology on our understanding of the world, including his characteristic wit and insight. He has written for a variety of outlets, including Wired, The New York Times Magazine, and The Atlantic.

Born in 1982 in Canada, Thompson attended Queen's University and obtained a degree in English. He also obtained a master's degree in Business Studies at the University of London. He began freelancing in his twenties, first contributing to publications such as PC World, the Toronto Star, and WIRED. He has since written several books: Smarter Than You Think: How Technology Is Changing Our Minds for the Better (2013), Coders: The Making of a New Tribe and the Remaking of the World (2019), and Coyotes Dressed As Coyotes (2020).

Thompson's writing focuses on the ways that digital technologies have changed human behavior, understanding, communication, and relationships. In Smarter Than You Think, Thompson provides readers with a comprehensive examination of how digital media have altered our brains in surprising and often unexpected ways. He argues that technological advancements have created substantial cognitive change, allowing us to attend to more information and think more abstractly. He emphasizes that the internet has fundamentally reshaped society, empowering citizens in entirely new ways through technological advances such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and data analytics.

Coders: The Making of a New Tribe and the Remaking of the World provides a unique look into the lives of software engineers and how they are transforming the modern workplace. Thompson's exploration of programming and the power of code reveals the unseen infrastructure of the internet, and provides a deep look into how coders are transforming technology to create products and services that pervade our lives.

Thompson's latest book, Coyotes Dressed as Coyotes, is an exploration of themes such as trust, authenticity, and identity in the digital world. The title essay is a look into the world of virtual reality, exploring how our malleable digital identities are redefining understanding and behavior. By blending personal stories and incisive analysis, Thompson provides readers with a thought-provoking examination of how trust works in the digital world, the effects of digital interaction, and the idea of virtual belonging.

Thompson's writing is accessible and entertaining, intertwining scientific explanation with vivid examples. His works provide insight into digital culture and the many ways that technology has changed our lives. A gifted storyteller, Thompson captivates readers with his sparkling literary style and engaging wit. As our world continues to become increasingly digital, Clive Thompson’s work is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the implications of technological transformation.