Scan barcode
sevenhundredthree's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
graveyardpansy's review against another edition
3.0
pros: definitely some important topics! some parts that felt compelling and well-written, definitely thoughtfully researched.
cons: felt way longer than necessary. sometimes repetitive. more anti-surveillance than anti-capitalism, which was often very bizarre because zuboff would write things that came off as pro-capitalism or capitalism-neutral?? (I don’t know how one could read marx and the dozens of others she mentions without. yknow. becoming an anticapitalist.) i think it would’ve been a stronger book, too, if it’d delved more into the PIC and MIC as enablers and profiteers of surveillance, rather than focusing entirely on tech companies.
cons: felt way longer than necessary. sometimes repetitive. more anti-surveillance than anti-capitalism, which was often very bizarre because zuboff would write things that came off as pro-capitalism or capitalism-neutral?? (I don’t know how one could read marx and the dozens of others she mentions without. yknow. becoming an anticapitalist.) i think it would’ve been a stronger book, too, if it’d delved more into the PIC and MIC as enablers and profiteers of surveillance, rather than focusing entirely on tech companies.
lwhittle's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.5
Important, essential, and challenging. A highly academic book that may alienate some readers due to its writing style and frequent references to 20th century philosophy. Worth the effort though, as it's thesis is valid and necessary to understand if we want to understand the future we are marching towards if we do not act quickly and definitively.
kraxis's review against another edition
4.0
A must read to understand the current age of capitalism and where the power lies.
legrandvent's review against another edition
4.0
Easily one of the most dangerous books I’ve ever read, in a very good way. Simply put, the social media and tech CEOs of the world would rather you not read this. Poignantly written and expertly researched - you will get clarity on what is actually going on behind the curtain of social media and the algorithms that track, target and extract from you across the internet. You probably have your suspicions about those pesky ads that seem to be listening to your conversations or know what you want before you do, this book will help.
I deleted all of my social media accounts halfway through this book and I have no intention of ever going back. That’s the level of alarm that this book raises and it is very much warranted. I’m currently in the process of plugging the remaining data holes in my life but I don’t believe it’s possible anymore to actually achieve full digital privacy.
The tragedy in my opinion is that this book reads in a way that one is left questioning who the author is writing for. The writing is eloquent and the author is quite obviously gifted both in meticulous research skills and for crafting impactful points. But if the information is of such urgent importance to society why is this written in a way that would make it difficult to digest, even for a college graduate like myself? This book took me months to complete, and while it was worth it I’m left wishing I could share this book with others and feel confident that they’d be able to finish it.
I deleted all of my social media accounts halfway through this book and I have no intention of ever going back. That’s the level of alarm that this book raises and it is very much warranted. I’m currently in the process of plugging the remaining data holes in my life but I don’t believe it’s possible anymore to actually achieve full digital privacy.
The tragedy in my opinion is that this book reads in a way that one is left questioning who the author is writing for. The writing is eloquent and the author is quite obviously gifted both in meticulous research skills and for crafting impactful points. But if the information is of such urgent importance to society why is this written in a way that would make it difficult to digest, even for a college graduate like myself? This book took me months to complete, and while it was worth it I’m left wishing I could share this book with others and feel confident that they’d be able to finish it.
tonyleachsf's review against another edition
1.0
There is nothing redeeming about this book - even for those inclined to agree with the author’s fury. The writing is… awful. The arguments are incoherent. And the direct comparisons of tech companies to conquistadors and nazis destroy what could otherwise be a reasoned discussion of some hard questions about the role of tech and advertising in our society.
For a better approach to these hard questions, Tim Wu is far better.
For a better approach to these hard questions, Tim Wu is far better.