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penderworth's review
3.0
Some good bits, but overall a lot of restating things Rushkoff and his counterparts have said in other work. There were also some odd anecdotes that didn’t add much to the primary arguments.
mcnan's review
4.0
Others need to read Rushkoff. This book takes a clear look at some of the true current horrors, how we got here, and where we can go. Feverishly recommending this book. This should be common ground.
courtiny's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Good mix of snark and information. Has quite a good historical overview of things I didn’t know about.
aerofinity's review
2.0
The snark is strong with this one! At his best when relaying scathing anecdotes of his latest run in with - insert evil tech billionaire - and lampooning their megalomaniacal mindset and arrogance.
However unfortunately the other 90% of the book is mere pontificating / complaining about the current techno-capitalist mindset with minimal evidence or a better plan for the future. Much of the book is lazily distilled content of better authors such a Zuboff et al(Surveillance Capitalism). Many of its base historical arguments and conclusions are simply completely incorrect. For example, to argue that violent hierarchical patriarchy commenced with the Iron Age is to completely ignore civilisations such as the Sumerians that were just as good at utilitarianism and trampling all over their unfortunate citizenry.
I really wanted to like this book and I share many of the author’s concerns, but sadly this is not the well written polemic I wish it were or that he clearly thinks it is. Almost a DNF but I pushed through for the occasional pearl of interesting content and anecdote.
However unfortunately the other 90% of the book is mere pontificating / complaining about the current techno-capitalist mindset with minimal evidence or a better plan for the future. Much of the book is lazily distilled content of better authors such a Zuboff et al(Surveillance Capitalism). Many of its base historical arguments and conclusions are simply completely incorrect. For example, to argue that violent hierarchical patriarchy commenced with the Iron Age is to completely ignore civilisations such as the Sumerians that were just as good at utilitarianism and trampling all over their unfortunate citizenry.
I really wanted to like this book and I share many of the author’s concerns, but sadly this is not the well written polemic I wish it were or that he clearly thinks it is. Almost a DNF but I pushed through for the occasional pearl of interesting content and anecdote.
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
4.0
At Any Cost
This was a very good book on the rich, internet, and legislation / politics.
It was quite a fascinating and somewhat shocking-at-times read.
It reminded me a lot of the book [b:Internet for the People|58952557|Internet for the People|Ben Tarnoff|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1631133784l/58952557._SY75_.jpg|92910267], and I would recommend reading them together - they compliment each other very well.
Rushkoff is an excellent writer, it was well researched and an accessible & readable book.
Would recommend
4.6/5
This was a very good book on the rich, internet, and legislation / politics.
It was quite a fascinating and somewhat shocking-at-times read.
It reminded me a lot of the book [b:Internet for the People|58952557|Internet for the People|Ben Tarnoff|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1631133784l/58952557._SY75_.jpg|92910267], and I would recommend reading them together - they compliment each other very well.
Rushkoff is an excellent writer, it was well researched and an accessible & readable book.
Would recommend
4.6/5