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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
This was alright. I never felt it went as deep as it should. Nor was enough background research was done. I mean, we know that if we watch something, the algorithm will give us what it considers similar to get us keep watching. Which leads to us ending in an echo chamber and often more radical opinions. We know social media wants us to spend as many hours as we can. We know that it can be damaging and toxic, just in general, no matter where you spend your time on the Internet. It didn't provide anything fresh or new. It would be a okay read for someone who is a beginner on this subject. The only new thing that I have never heard about before was the situation in Myanmar. It is written quite well, though I'm not sure any the answers to solve these "problems" would actually work in practice and wouldn't make everything worse. It's a complicated subject with a lot of nuances and this book approached it a bit too simply for me e.g. if you kick someone off a site due to their views, they will just go somewhere else and will persecuted/victimised/vindicated which will just make them dig in their heels in harder, rather than snapping out of it. It would also become an echo chamber even more. And I'm not sure if it should be up to the government on what can be accessed and what can't. (Obviously I'm talking about stuff that is legal, not illegal.)
challenging
informative
slow-paced
A difficult read. The topic is important and interesting, but the chapters dragged on and felt quite disjointed. Some chapters felt like the author was randomly listing quotes, studies and findings without connecting them, and some were quite repetitive. Overall an interesting read that could have been a much shorter book.
I was initially concerned that this would be a tiresome diatribe incanting the endless narrative that the Internet is EEEVIL.
It isn't. Instead it's a thoughtful and erudite examination of the effects social media is having on our world.
He begins with some rather insightful analysis of the evolutionary outcomes that drive our addiction and then builds upon that foundation as the book progresses through chapters examining its effect on politics, the media and our very perception of what is fact versus fiction in the modern era.
I would whole heartedly recommend this book to any thinking person who has noticed that the flowery PR and corporate mantra that drive the meteoric growth of these companies has a darker side beyond what's obvious.
To anyone who works in the technology field or the media, I think this book is almost unarguably essential reading. We should view it and the science it cites as critical in understanding the ethical dimensions of what we do for a living.
Because we all care about ethics... Right?
It isn't. Instead it's a thoughtful and erudite examination of the effects social media is having on our world.
He begins with some rather insightful analysis of the evolutionary outcomes that drive our addiction and then builds upon that foundation as the book progresses through chapters examining its effect on politics, the media and our very perception of what is fact versus fiction in the modern era.
I would whole heartedly recommend this book to any thinking person who has noticed that the flowery PR and corporate mantra that drive the meteoric growth of these companies has a darker side beyond what's obvious.
To anyone who works in the technology field or the media, I think this book is almost unarguably essential reading. We should view it and the science it cites as critical in understanding the ethical dimensions of what we do for a living.
Because we all care about ethics... Right?
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Thought this would be terribly predictable, but was horrifyingly week informed and written. Better as a series of excellent essays rather than a whole themed polemic.
If you've wondered how social media turned from being a powerful connector to a tool of dissent, this book explains in great detail.
Worth reading.
Please read a more detailed review via https://www.chicagonow.com/one-cause-at-a-time/2021/09/book-review-social-warming-and-the-effects-of-social-media/
Worth reading.
Please read a more detailed review via https://www.chicagonow.com/one-cause-at-a-time/2021/09/book-review-social-warming-and-the-effects-of-social-media/
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
reflective
fast-paced
So this book is excellent in my opinion. I read it via audiobook which I would recommend however, I will be purchasing a physical copy so I can re-read this and highlight aspects. (This is mainly because it fits in with my job but it is that good.) This book is a great starter into the impacts of social media on our world. It is not an exhaustive analysis but it is very good for looking at specific examples.
While social media has been successful for many reasons, for example I love finding small businesses to follow and I love using goodreads for reviews, there is no denial of the negative. People often blame the youth and how social media is damaging their minds and don't get me wrong it has changed the way young people grow up but it is also impacting adults. This book is excellent at explaining in detail why and how that is happening. In particular it focuses on events surrounding the elections in the UK and US and the events in Myanmar while also being more general about the impact of algorithms on our lives.
I find it hard to review non-fiction so I'll probably leave that here and maybe update this on my second read through. To me this book was well written, research and easy to understand. I think anyone with an interest in the subject would find it enjoyable. I will say as someone who does have some knowledge of this already, I didn't find anything too shocking but it was still an enjoyable read.
While social media has been successful for many reasons, for example I love finding small businesses to follow and I love using goodreads for reviews, there is no denial of the negative. People often blame the youth and how social media is damaging their minds and don't get me wrong it has changed the way young people grow up but it is also impacting adults. This book is excellent at explaining in detail why and how that is happening. In particular it focuses on events surrounding the elections in the UK and US and the events in Myanmar while also being more general about the impact of algorithms on our lives.
I find it hard to review non-fiction so I'll probably leave that here and maybe update this on my second read through. To me this book was well written, research and easy to understand. I think anyone with an interest in the subject would find it enjoyable. I will say as someone who does have some knowledge of this already, I didn't find anything too shocking but it was still an enjoyable read.
informative
reflective
medium-paced