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riviwriter's review
5.0
I love Jon Ronson, and this book did not let me down. His writing style is enjoyable to read/listen to (I listened to this book via Audible), and the ideas he presents are unique, multi-faceted, and eloquently described. Compared to the other books of his I've read (The Psychopath Test in particular), this book was more relatable and less depressing, but still managed to have the same thought-provoking, introspective style that I love.
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
3.0
I'm close to giving this a four-star review, but it's just not substantial enough.
That said, Ronson has written an interesting, relevant, and funny book. He brings himself to the front, beginning with the story of a "spam-bot" that was used as a ersatz "Jon Ronson" on Twitter. He moves on to discuss the hot-button stories, Jonah Lehrer and Justine Sacco, and talks about lesser known "shamed" persons as well as the shaming culture in social media, journalism, and sex.
I like Ronson's mix of pop science, cultural commentary, journalism, and personal essay. I also love his voice: his authorial voice--self-deprecating and curious--and his speaking/narrating voice--a sort of nasal Neil Gaiman, or, more whimsically, a sort of British muppet. It's adorable.
I understand, though, that not everyone wants to listen to nine hours of an adorable British muppet do narration, so be warned if you're thinking of downloading the audiobook.
That said, Ronson has written an interesting, relevant, and funny book. He brings himself to the front, beginning with the story of a "spam-bot" that was used as a ersatz "Jon Ronson" on Twitter. He moves on to discuss the hot-button stories, Jonah Lehrer and Justine Sacco, and talks about lesser known "shamed" persons as well as the shaming culture in social media, journalism, and sex.
I like Ronson's mix of pop science, cultural commentary, journalism, and personal essay. I also love his voice: his authorial voice--self-deprecating and curious--and his speaking/narrating voice--a sort of nasal Neil Gaiman, or, more whimsically, a sort of British muppet. It's adorable.
I understand, though, that not everyone wants to listen to nine hours of an adorable British muppet do narration, so be warned if you're thinking of downloading the audiobook.
jenmangler's review against another edition
2.0
Started off quite interesting and then petered out into not much of anything. Ronson raised some really interesting questions but often didn't pursue them.
mrbrownsays's review
4.0
Very good book and he reads it well in the audiobook version. I knew most (possibly all) the anecdotes which rather makes his point for him.
lethaldose's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so interesting. Exploring the effects public shaming has had on those that have been shamed, looking a how and if they ever recover. Jon Ronson explores how we have used shaming in the past even reaching back to the Stanford Prison Experiment. Every story he tells here is interesting and thought provoking. After reading this it may change how your react and treat people over social media. I am curious to see if this book has any long terms affects on me
the_sunken_library's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting read. While some criticise Ronson of not having a focus, of a meandering narrative with no real "discovery" or message at the end i feel they have missed the point of this book, sadly. This is an exploration of us as humans; as individuals and as a faceless collective. It is always truly terrifying to discover the lengths "normal humans" will go to if they can be one in a crowd.
Ronson discusses with honesty and humour the destruction of people via social media, for what are in general minor transgressions. A crap joke, a photo taken in jest. He looks at why these situations blew up and how/if the focus of the Internet's inevitable venom and bile survived/recovered.
Ronson is a journalist, he's here to discuss and open our minds not tell us how to think. For me, this book will make me think twice before i simply witness or actively join in on a public shaming - i will relax, breath and think "is this really that bad?" are these people really the monsters twitter/Facebook etc makes them out to be.
Whats scary recently is that the internet and social justice is silencing so many voices. Telling people to not be themselves or suffer the consequences. Its censorship through shame and its something we must confront if we wish to stop it.
Ronson discusses with honesty and humour the destruction of people via social media, for what are in general minor transgressions. A crap joke, a photo taken in jest. He looks at why these situations blew up and how/if the focus of the Internet's inevitable venom and bile survived/recovered.
Ronson is a journalist, he's here to discuss and open our minds not tell us how to think. For me, this book will make me think twice before i simply witness or actively join in on a public shaming - i will relax, breath and think "is this really that bad?" are these people really the monsters twitter/Facebook etc makes them out to be.
Whats scary recently is that the internet and social justice is silencing so many voices. Telling people to not be themselves or suffer the consequences. Its censorship through shame and its something we must confront if we wish to stop it.
nerv_atz's review against another edition
4.0
a pretty cool book that views public shaming from both sides but you need to keep in mind that this book was written in 2014. so i might say some things are a little outdated.