A very unusual Book Catalogue listing 129 books representing much of the leading areas of ideas and information in 1973. It’s a snapshot of where things stood in respect of many ideas and technologies in 1973 and in that respect it is an interesting historical artefact. Amazingly it lists Isaac Asimov’s Biographical Encyclopaedia of Science and Technology. (1967) listing 1195 biographical sketches. Isaac never did anything insignificant !!
Here’s a summary and commentary on Real Time 1: A Catalog of Ideas and Information (and by extension “Real Time” as used) by John Brockman & Edward Rosenfeld (1973).
Bibliographic & background info
• Real Time 1 was published in 1973 by Anchor Press/Doubleday (in the U.S.).
• John Brockman (born 1941) is a literary agent and author, known for bridging science/tech and culture.
• Edward Rosenfeld appears as co-author/co-editor.
• The book’s subtitle is “A Catalog of Ideas and Information”.
• It seems to have a companion volume, “Real Time 2: A Catalog of Ideas and Information”.
What the book is about
• It is less a traditional narrative book, and more a curated collection or catalogue of ideas, quotes, fragments, observations — many drawn from then‐emerging fields (cybernetics, systems theory, communications, computer culture).
• The idea is to capture how “real time” (in terms of information, communication, technology) is affecting society: the acceleration of information, new communication media, computational thinking, etc.
• For example, one study paper notes: “REAL TIME 1 & REAL TIME 2: … A Catalogue of Ideas and Information” referencing the book.
• It reflects the late 1960s/early 1970s concern with “the information age”, cybernetics, media theory and how man, machine, communication and society interplay.
Key themes & significance
• Acceleration of information: The book foregrounds that information flows, communication speed and real‐time media are transforming society.
• Technology & human condition: It engages with how computing, cybernetics, networks change how we think about human, machine, consciousness. (Brockman’s earlier writing touches on such themes.)
• Catalogue form / non‐traditional format: Rather than linear argument, the catalogue format allows the reader to dip into many short “idea bites”, reflecting a fragmented, rapid‐info environment.
• Historical snapshot: It gives insight into a period when thinkers were grappling with the future of technology & communication — so it has archival value for those studying media/cyberculture.
• Bridge between disciplines: Because Brockman is known for linking science/tech with broader cultural concerns, this work helps show the cross‐disciplinary currents of the time.
Limitations / things to keep in mind
• Because of its catalogue style, it may not offer deep sustained argument or case‐studies like a monograph would.
• Being published in 1973 means many of the technological assumptions are from that era; some ideas may now feel dated or speculative.
• For someone looking for a practical “how‐to” guide or a recent forecasting work it may feel less directly usable, but more as a historical “idea source”.
For you: Why it might be useful
• If you’re interested in how thinkers in the early “information age” thought about real time, media, communication and technology, this book is a useful reference.
• If you are exploring the genealogy of cyberculture, media theory, or the shift towards “real‐time” society (streams, networks, instant communication) this book offers early material.
• If you like browsing collections of provocative quotes, ideas, fragments (rather than long treatises), this is aligned with that style.
If you like, I can check and pull up the table of contents of “Real Time 1”, maybe highlight some especially interesting excerpts, and see where you might get a copy (UK / second-hand) if you’re thinking of reading it. Would you like me to do that?
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