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r2wend2's review against another edition
5.0
Great read on the entire Cambridge analytica scandal, but I also really appreciated that Wylie shared his thoughts on how we could imagine solving the larger problem of personal data being very valuable, and held by private companies.
canuckmum's review against another edition
5.0
A must read for this new digital era. Riveting and horrifying.
saradluffy's review against another edition
3.0
Could the book have been shorter? Yes
Is the narration written in a self-serving defensive tone rather than storytelling? Yes
but is the book's major point for us to judge Wylie's candor and intentions? I don't think so.
While I didn't like the narration and wasn't invested in Wylie's choices starting from the Trinidad project up to painting Nix as the villain of the story in a way to push the reader into framing Wylie as ‘there are more malicious corrupt people than me and I was just vulnerable to manipulation’, I still think the book is worth reading.
My recommendation is to first watch ‘The Great Hack’ documentary and then read chapters numbers 6,7,10 and Epilogue which will be good enough to get the picture. These were the best parts in my opinion in terms of into-the-point writing without unnecessary details and also are insightful. If you are further interested in the risks of our current digital selves and social media, read chapter 12 (Revelations) as well.
Is the narration written in a self-serving defensive tone rather than storytelling? Yes
but is the book's major point for us to judge Wylie's candor and intentions? I don't think so.
While I didn't like the narration and wasn't invested in Wylie's choices starting from the Trinidad project up to painting Nix as the villain of the story in a way to push the reader into framing Wylie as ‘there are more malicious corrupt people than me and I was just vulnerable to manipulation’, I still think the book is worth reading.
My recommendation is to first watch ‘The Great Hack’ documentary and then read chapters numbers 6,7,10 and Epilogue which will be good enough to get the picture. These were the best parts in my opinion in terms of into-the-point writing without unnecessary details and also are insightful. If you are further interested in the risks of our current digital selves and social media, read chapter 12 (Revelations) as well.
ceris's review against another edition
He simply wrote a book to try to excuse himself for the horrible things he did and make himself likeable? Although he obviously did a great thing and all the content about cambridge analytica and their crimes was really good, I simply don’t care about providing this man atonement?? He will not acknowledge his insane amount of privilege and instead leans on “I’m gay I’m disabled I’m a vegetarian I’m a liberal I’m a Canadian”. And it’s like? Those things don’t erase your privilege or the bad things you’ve done. Stop craving approval so hard.
mizzhill12's review against another edition
4.0
This would have been 5 stars if I could get past Wylie being such an arrogant prick. If you are so smart how the fuck did you not realize what Bannon was doing?
rowansefton's review against another edition
5.0
Wylie can be a fairly insufferable narrator but, even so, this is a terrifying must-read.
exharme's review against another edition
5.0
Apart from self-serving purposes this book is a good entry to what data mining is about and why companies are interested in your data. It is fascinating to see the quest of data engineers to crack the mystery of data and the connections between them to make an algorithm that can reliably change the opinion of the target people or target them better with advertisements.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand how data harvesting companies can use this data to manipulate your opinion and the opinion of people around you towards serving their clients agenda.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand how data harvesting companies can use this data to manipulate your opinion and the opinion of people around you towards serving their clients agenda.
bookaneer's review against another edition
5.0
Horrifying. The title says America, but it is happening everywhere. Hard to think positively after reading this book, very well-written as it is. Might write full review later, but sheesh. I need a hot choco and cuddling with my dog now.
jerriza's review against another edition
5.0
This is an absolute must read for everyone. Period.
My only criticism of this book is the tone in takes and the general defensiveness of the author. It made it a bit of a struggle to read at times but does not in any way affect the substance of the book and should in no way discourage one from picking this up and moving it to the top of their list.
It provides a frank account of permissionless data harvesting, Facebook's disregard for privacy (surprise surprise), manipulation of the general population and gives the reader valuable insider insight into the use of big-data, shady political practices, rampant election corruption etc.
Ultimately just one more reminder that the established institutions will most likely maintain control through backdoor manipulation. Doubtful if any of the information here will lead to real consequences of those involved.
My only criticism of this book is the tone in takes and the general defensiveness of the author. It made it a bit of a struggle to read at times but does not in any way affect the substance of the book and should in no way discourage one from picking this up and moving it to the top of their list.
It provides a frank account of permissionless data harvesting, Facebook's disregard for privacy (surprise surprise), manipulation of the general population and gives the reader valuable insider insight into the use of big-data, shady political practices, rampant election corruption etc.
Ultimately just one more reminder that the established institutions will most likely maintain control through backdoor manipulation. Doubtful if any of the information here will lead to real consequences of those involved.