Drebbel’s Incubator
Then the Nest Learning Thermostat
CHAPTER 2 Fait Accompli: Agentive Tech Is Here
Putting Physical and Information Work Together to Become Agentive
Getting to a Working Definition of “Agentive”
Drawing a Boundary Around Agentive Technology
Recap: Agents Are Persistent, Background Assistants
CHAPTER 3 Agentive Tech Can Change the World
They Move Us from Moments to Interests
They’ll Do the Work You’re Not Good At
They’ll Do the Things We’re Unwilling to Do
They’ll Do the Embarrassing Things
. . . and They Will Encourage Discovery Through Drift
They Help Achieve Goals with Minimal Effort
There May Be an Arms Race of Competing Agents
It’s Going to Be Big Enough to Affect Our Infrastructure
Places and Objects Will Need Them
They Will Help Us Overcome Some Human Foibles
Using Them, People Will Program the World
Our Species’ Future May Well Depend on Them
CHAPTER 4 Six Takeaways from the History of Agentive Thinking
Yes, Virginia, Computers Can Take Initiative
Automation Doesn’t Work Like You Think
The Agentive/Assistive Line Will Be Blurry
Recap: On the Agentive Shoulders of Giants
CHAPTER 5 A Modified Frame for Interaction
Seeing What the Agent Is Doing
Having or Helping the Agent Do Stuff
Rules and Exceptions, Triggers and Behaviors
Recap: New Tools in Your Backpack
Agentive Gardening with Mr. McGregor
CHAPTER 6 Ramping Up with an Agent
