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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
I was right. This *will* be a book I recommend to everyone.
I am still digesting everything and feel like I will also return to the words in this book, especially the last chapter "Why Fascism is Winning". The primary dictator described in the novel could be Duterte or Marcos. But it could also be Zuckerberg. I think this, more than other reads so far, has outlined how this platform has been supporting the insurrection of human rights long before Trump.
If I had one small wish is that we had more action plans - but the plans are there really: connect with the community around you and stamp down your own and others' hate. We are better together.
I am still digesting everything and feel like I will also return to the words in this book, especially the last chapter "Why Fascism is Winning". The primary dictator described in the novel could be Duterte or Marcos. But it could also be Zuckerberg. I think this, more than other reads so far, has outlined how this platform has been supporting the insurrection of human rights long before Trump.
If I had one small wish is that we had more action plans - but the plans are there really: connect with the community around you and stamp down your own and others' hate. We are better together.
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
a MUST read for those interested in learning how we GOT HERE in 2025 - (social) media, and how it relates/helps a fascist takeover
The Phillipines in my book from every country challenge. (It's nonfiction, but I really enjoyed it.)
This book begins as a relatively straightforward memoir. Around the halfway point it suddenly turns into a manifesto against big tech, and specifically how Facebook's surveillance capitalism is destroying journalism and democracy in the Phillipines and worldwide. It's an argument that can feel tired and pessimistic sometimes in pop culture, but Ressa uses careful data-driven investigations and anecdotes to remind us that that doesn't make it less true. I really enjoyed this one.
This book begins as a relatively straightforward memoir. Around the halfway point it suddenly turns into a manifesto against big tech, and specifically how Facebook's surveillance capitalism is destroying journalism and democracy in the Phillipines and worldwide. It's an argument that can feel tired and pessimistic sometimes in pop culture, but Ressa uses careful data-driven investigations and anecdotes to remind us that that doesn't make it less true. I really enjoyed this one.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
I could write a love letter to this book and Maria Ressa. She coherently and brilliantly described a phenomenon that I had no language or framework for. She’s an inspiration and her storytelling abilities are invaluable. I am so touched by this book and will be recommending it to everyone I know!
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
Author owned a social media company in the Philippines called Rappler that in seeking to create a check and balance system for the internet learned and shared the details associated with Facebook's ability to help curb misinformation and hate but chose not to. She shares excellent tactics for mitigating the impact of social media including not blocking sources that share misinformation and hate but calling them out. Another part that resonated with me was the attack on the Filipino senator who ended up in prison for 6 years after being accused and convicted of working in illegal drug sales; entirely based on concocted information shared on social media.
Summary of lessons learned:
Summary of lessons learned:
- Choose learning over fear - Ressa identifies this as one of her early life lessons that guided her journalism career.
- Draw the line - Setting boundaries against authoritarianism is essential.
- Silence is complicity - Remaining quiet in the face of injustice makes one complicit.
- Hold the line - Ressa's mantra "We will not duck, we will not hide. We will hold the line" emphasizes persistence against intimidation.
- Demand accountability from technology companies - Technology must be regulated to protect democratic discourse.
- Protect and grow investigative journalism - Supporting independent media is crucial for democracy.
- Build communities of action - Collaboration between journalists, civil society, and others is necessary to defend democracy.
- Don't become a monster to fight a monster - Maintain ethical principles while fighting authoritarianism.
- Believe in the good - Maintain hope and faith in humanity despite challenges.
- Collaborate extensively - Working together is essential to combat disinformation and protect democracy.
She won the Nobel Peace prize in 2021. Last journalist who won this prize was a German man in 1935 who couldn't attend because he was imprisoned in a concentration camp. This is where we are at folks.
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
a very important but hard read in this time.