Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired (he's now a Senior Maverick there) and one of the greatest technology thinkers of our time, presents a provocative new theory of technology in his latest book, What Technology Wants. In it, he suggests that "the technium," is a living, evolving superorganism, driving itself towards inevitable steps of evolution. It's a heady concept, not just because it presents technology as something more sweeping than just gadgets and the Internet, but also in that it denies the role of the individual "inventor" in technological progress. I chatted with Kelly in between his lectures in New York to get a walk-through on the book and his theory.

For San Franciscans, the boot embodies the holy trinity of footwear—style, comfort, and durability.

1. Boogie Shoes
Hello, dancing shoes. The Say It Ain’t So boot by Joie is sexy and sophisticated, perfect for a night on the town.
$355; Smash Shoes, 2030 Chestnut St., 415-673-4736

2. The Workhorse
Never underestimate the durability of Frye’s Paige tall riding boot. It’s a solid choice that will hold up against San Francisco’s finicky weather, rain or shine.
$348; Azalea, 411 Hayes St., 415-861-9888

Meat of the Matter
Marissa Guggiana’s Primal Cuts (Welcome Books, $38) is proof that our obsession with butchery and whole-beast cooking hasn’t yet reached a saturation point. Filled with interviews from butchers and chefs, recipes, and charts (on topics like sharing a cow)—Guggiana’s book is a modern meat manual that celebrates the craft of old-world butchery and sustainably-raised meat without resorting to overwrought praise and glorification.