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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Very eye-opening book, with several grander theories that put a new perspective on tech.
4.5/5
The book has some great moments, but more times than I'd like the author's "true feelings" on these big companies distracts from the points he's trying to make. Yes, he hates these companies. Yes, after reading this you'll start to consider your feelings on them as well. There is a line however dividing honest criticism vs. childish whining, and sometimes he goes over it.
Pros:
- Valid Critiques of Companies' flaws
- Amazon, Facebook, and Google Sections
- Chapter on a possible "Fifth Horseman"
- Self-help chapters .. they're done effectively and rather refreshingly
- Perspective on 21st Century Colleges in America, provides good insight as an NYU Professor
Cons:
- Apple Section
- Calling out these companies with emotionally-charged claims rather than valid criticisms
The book has some great moments, but more times than I'd like the author's "true feelings" on these big companies distracts from the points he's trying to make. Yes, he hates these companies. Yes, after reading this you'll start to consider your feelings on them as well. There is a line however dividing honest criticism vs. childish whining, and sometimes he goes over it.
Pros:
- Valid Critiques of Companies' flaws
- Amazon, Facebook, and Google Sections
- Chapter on a possible "Fifth Horseman"
- Self-help chapters .. they're done effectively and rather refreshingly
- Perspective on 21st Century Colleges in America, provides good insight as an NYU Professor
Cons:
- Apple Section
- Calling out these companies with emotionally-charged claims rather than valid criticisms
This is book earned its stars from its subject matter and the very occasional laugh that wasn’t confusing. Edited very poorly, if at all. I determined by the end that Galloway has a writing style where he just lets it all “flow”, probably very similar to the way he talks. However, this sets the reader up to stumble over incomplete clauses and tire through run-on sentences. Also, the chapters aren’t logically structured following a chapter dissection for each of the Four. Chapter 6 onwards is a jumbled mess with cool facts and worthwhile ideas buried in typos, grammarlessness, and a dash of hubris.
This was an interesting listen as there are many books that cover different aspects of the Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google stories but the approach here was from a new angle. Primarily, I was interested in the concept that Scott Galloway presents called the T-algorithm.
Continued here: https://medium.com/@amduren/scott-galloways-the-four-59cf2703ef93
Continued here: https://medium.com/@amduren/scott-galloways-the-four-59cf2703ef93
This was a close 4 star, but had a great balance of new facts I hadn't heard on companies I follow daily. His hyperbole, hatred for Apple and putting blame on tech companies for killing the middle class I didn't agree with. Good read and love/recommend his YouTube content.
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
I think this is a must read book for anyone studying or working in business or anyone looking to pursue a career in the digital landscape. Equal parts insightful and cheeky, this book was both incredibly informative and entertaining.
Me gusta mucho la manera de escribir de Scott Galloway y hace muy entendible las cifras técnicas de cada empresa para posicionarlas como las Cuatro a las que hace mención desde la entrada del libro, quizás somos expectativas estaban más altas esperando profundizar mucho más en cada empresa pero me encontré con la sorpresa que los siguientes capítulos no me resultaron significativamente conectados con el propósito inicial.
The author's ideas are at times kind of retro, and disproven by modern research. E.g., he asserts that "men are wired to procreate aggressively." He uses the insult of "[soandso] never kissed a girl" as the ultimate insult. Twice, in reference to two separate "nerds." This sort of bro-style bullying feels completely out of date and harmfully hetero-normative. He describes certain tech firms as "the hot girl on campus" and says, "Sorry, Caitlin, you'll always be Bruce Jenner to me."
The above stupidity and backwards thinking notwithstanding, there's some smart stuff in this book about Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon.
The above stupidity and backwards thinking notwithstanding, there's some smart stuff in this book about Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon.