grubnubble's review against another edition
3.0
Reading this book is like watching Black Mirror, but it’s real life. I wish the author had introduced himself a little earlier in the book. Without an overall narrative, it often feels more like a collection of semi-randomly titled articles. It’s full of really useful information and densely packed with google-able characters, companies, pieces of art, and stories.
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I can’t help but see the irony of posting about it on an amazon owned platform with quantified ratings baked in
notwithoutwitness's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book. It is a sobering look at social media in particular. It comes across as borderline conspiracy theorist, but probably isn't so far from the truth. It is a dense work. Well documented and detailed. Some of the stories Silverman shares are just mind-blowing.
I was most hopeful for the chapter on the Social Media Rebellion (last chapter), but it was a bit of a let down. It basically highlighted some who have stepped away from social media while also arguing that it's not the easiest thing to pull off. And he addressed the need for advocacy into government rules and regulations. I just wish there was more detail in this final chapter, more "steps" if you will toward becoming a better user (non-user) of social media. But overall, the book certainly helped make me a more conscious user.
I was most hopeful for the chapter on the Social Media Rebellion (last chapter), but it was a bit of a let down. It basically highlighted some who have stepped away from social media while also arguing that it's not the easiest thing to pull off. And he addressed the need for advocacy into government rules and regulations. I just wish there was more detail in this final chapter, more "steps" if you will toward becoming a better user (non-user) of social media. But overall, the book certainly helped make me a more conscious user.
killedbyfluffy's review against another edition
2.0
I might be jaded, but I didn't feel that this book really presented anything new. I think part of that is also because, even though this book is only 3 years old, in terms of technological time, it might as well be a dinosaur. No where is this more pronounced than in the frequent references to Google Glass. I found the chapter about the constant surveillance effect of social media and how we change ourselves in relation to social media interesting, but overall, I kept thinking, "Ok, and .." because you have to be willfully ignorant to not realize the extent of information that tech companies get from you.
This book would be better served to have focused more on why we should care. Because the frequent drumming of: privacy is our right and we are consumers and producers, we are selling ourselves for free to tech companies, we are our own chains kind of rhetoric is all well and good, but largely ineffective of no real solution is presented. And I think this is where the jaded part comes in. I know all this stuff, but I find it hard to care that much. Maybe my tolerance for social media has yet to reach critical mass.
I did find it ironic that I was reading this during the data sharing controversy regarding Facebook and Cambridge Analytics, but even that, showing real life justification for the points this book are making, has yet to show any decline in Facebook's user count or revenue stream. I think most people, myself included, have a nihilistic outlook on the relationship between our social media usage and the company behind them.
This book would be better served to have focused more on why we should care. Because the frequent drumming of: privacy is our right and we are consumers and producers, we are selling ourselves for free to tech companies, we are our own chains kind of rhetoric is all well and good, but largely ineffective of no real solution is presented. And I think this is where the jaded part comes in. I know all this stuff, but I find it hard to care that much. Maybe my tolerance for social media has yet to reach critical mass.
I did find it ironic that I was reading this during the data sharing controversy regarding Facebook and Cambridge Analytics, but even that, showing real life justification for the points this book are making, has yet to show any decline in Facebook's user count or revenue stream. I think most people, myself included, have a nihilistic outlook on the relationship between our social media usage and the company behind them.
tearainread's review
4.0
An important book written before the shit show that became the EU Ref/Brexit and the rise of Trump, due in part to social media and the big tech companies that trade in people's private information. At times it does feel dated (all those references to Google Glass), but for the most part this book felt timely and urgent. Silverman does give concrete examples and pointers for those that want to limit their social media and more so their private information from getting out. I have already began shrinking my social media presence (deleting my Tumblr account and Blogger blog) and I am making use of my phone's screen time monitor, working on lowering my score a little each week. Highly recommend.
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