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A review by mcarley88
Targeted: The Cambridge Analytica Whistleblower's Inside Story of How Big Data, Trump, and Facebook Broke Democracy and How It C by
5.0
Disclaimer: I read the physical book and accidentally selected the audio CD version on here.
When I saw that there was a second book on this topic that came out this year, I was very intrigued. I read Chris Wylie's book about a month ago, and I was shocked and appalled and it led to my refusing to post any more information on Facebook ever again. (I can't delete it, regrettably, for personal reasons) This book, to me at least, seems infinitely more credible. Not only is it a fuller account of the whole Cambridge Analytica/related groups fiasco, it also seems more plausible and less secret agent, behind the scenes, this is how the world really works. Additionally, Kaiser's criticisms of Wylie himself rang true, even considering his book and the content therein. That is not to say that I take back my recommendation of his book; you should still read it, just read this one first and take his with a grain of salt where the two accounts differ.
All of that said, this book is horrifying. The abuse of data about our personal lives should give anyone pause when considering using and posting on social media. We really need to to reconsider how much we are willing to share with the world, particularly in light of accounts that uncover those we are sharing with without even wanting to. I truly believe that there is nothing less at stake than the future of democracy in our age. Steps MUST be taken to stop the totalitarianism of big data before it is too late. Stop sharing, stop liking, relearn propriety and privacy, and maybe we may have a chance.
When I saw that there was a second book on this topic that came out this year, I was very intrigued. I read Chris Wylie's book about a month ago, and I was shocked and appalled and it led to my refusing to post any more information on Facebook ever again. (I can't delete it, regrettably, for personal reasons) This book, to me at least, seems infinitely more credible. Not only is it a fuller account of the whole Cambridge Analytica/related groups fiasco, it also seems more plausible and less secret agent, behind the scenes, this is how the world really works. Additionally, Kaiser's criticisms of Wylie himself rang true, even considering his book and the content therein. That is not to say that I take back my recommendation of his book; you should still read it, just read this one first and take his with a grain of salt where the two accounts differ.
All of that said, this book is horrifying. The abuse of data about our personal lives should give anyone pause when considering using and posting on social media. We really need to to reconsider how much we are willing to share with the world, particularly in light of accounts that uncover those we are sharing with without even wanting to. I truly believe that there is nothing less at stake than the future of democracy in our age. Steps MUST be taken to stop the totalitarianism of big data before it is too late. Stop sharing, stop liking, relearn propriety and privacy, and maybe we may have a chance.