When Google Met WikiLeaks

If you want to understand the nexus between large technology companies like Google, the foreign policy establishment, and the national security state, this book is a must. Assange recounts an interview of him conducted by Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen (and others) in which they discuss Wikileaks, issues of security and privacy, issues of the role of organizations like wikileaks in society and in what Assange refers to as the preservation of the "intellectual record." The transcript of the entire conversation is in the book as is the way in which Schmidt and Cohen warped what Assange said when recounting this interview in their own, trivial book.What is at stake here is large; this is not an indictment only of one company (Google) but of the entire assault on civil society and individual rights conducted by the nexus.That Assange manages to retain his optimism is a tribute to him; this book is a real eye-opener and a clarion call for action..by us all.

Anytime I can read well documented sources that show how disreputable the mainstream media is and shows how the MSM is just a propaganda tool for our authoritarian government I feel relieved but sad to read the truth. This would also include all of our branches of government. Scary and downright shameful the steps they take to cover up crimes by our government. I respect Julian Assange and consider him a hero for being one our few investigative journalists who fights for his principles in spite knowing all harassment and danger he will face. Ecuador president Raphael Correa is also a hero for giving him asylum knowing the blowback his country would receive from the USANeed to start reading again ----- so much to cover

This book is an obvious (and literal), yet necessary rebuttal to the propaganda perpetuated by Google in its book The New Digital Age: Reshaping the Future of People. For the diligent, the best way to hear the brilliance of the hero Julian Assange, who while certainly ripe with his own ego and paranoia (of course the question remains whether it is paranoia when so many are out to get him), literally has put his life and all monetary support on the line, is to listen to the transcript of the interview between him and the Google CEO Eric Schmidt on the Wikileaks site which is three hours (so compelling as to be impossible to stop listening) of such technological, metaphysical, bureaucratic systems, political and financial genius that even Michel Foucault would be impressed. As this transcript is free (like all of Assange's work and heroism), it is diametrically opposed to the clear greed of Google -- regardless of the validity of either argument.For those, like myself, who, at the very least believe in checks and balances of all side of difficult worldwide philosophical arguments, risking your life and poverty always gets my vote over joining the greed of the Power Establishment (assuming Eric Schmidt was even wise enough to realize, it IS a choice). One item that neither addresses is that, while the symbiotic nature of the US Government and US business is nothing new, the internet and the cloud add elements that are hyper-Orwellian in nature.For example, for all the ignorant that are putting information into the cloud and assuming that the Constitution protects it, just consider for a moment how much more secret, anonymous and untraceable (even assuming perfectly well-intentioned humans and a perfect legal system) the cloud is regarding where your "property" under the 4th Amendment is being stored. All of the benefits of the cloud are also its most negative aspects. Unless you have a private cloud (assuming they exist and are not merely marketing hype), to get the benefit of elasticity, keep in mind that a cloud provider does not typically know where on Earth (much less within the US) your information, i.e. "property", is located. This means that what law applies is also up for grabs, as is what happens if there is a leak or a US or Foreign governmental request of obtain it, and whether or not you will even ever be provided with notice of the issue (for more on this read "A Global Reality: Governmental Access to Data in the Cloud" by Winston Maxwell, Paris, France and Christopher Wolf, Washington, DC -- 23 May 2012).So while this "book" is largely a recount of the interview transcript, it is a way to not have the Banking Industry block your donations to Wikileaks and to place yourself (I perhaps naively assume since the list must be mighty long by now) on a lower-level threat list by the government for doing so. Of course, now we have Amazon playing the role of Google in the drama, since I presume they are taking a percentage -- no surprise as Capitalism rolls on.

Not my usual type of reading, but it turned out to be a page turner. And I've thought about it a lot since. Assange is an interesting and super intelligent guy. The book is not long. The first half (approx) is background, which is essential. Then there is the transcript of the conversation with the Google guys, which is very clean and clear and the best part of the book. Highly recommended, esp if you don't know anything about Wikileaks, Assange, or cryptography. Written for the layman, not the techie.

Only 100 pages in...Well written, and easy to read, Julian Assange, clearly has a political agenda that does not align with my own, he makes a good well documented case that Google have become far too powerful, and are way beyond just being in the business of providing search engine results and are now in the business of engineering our societies with approval and assistance of western governments.This is a few years old now, so their position has changed, especially since the new administration in the WH.

Indispensable insight on this important topic of contemporary times.Reveals to you the beauty of the tenacity of incredible awesome figures & fascinating minds.Considering the importance of this story & its "face to face" encounter interview, the clarity is extraordinary.Not overwhelming.Much to appreciate about the sensitivity & good nature of Julian Assange for sharing his interview with everyone. You will appreciate the excellence in his commitment to making complex issues comprehensible & simple to understanding. His good manner & passion for his work & his creativity provides readers not only with visionary insight but his work is cultivating & humanizing.

People who might like it: Those who read Eric Schmidt's book and really care what was said at the meeting between Schmidt and Assange, and about Assange's rebuttal. But, spoiler alert, nothing earth-shattering was said. I took off two stars because the book's marketing makes it seem like more than it actually is.Having not read much of what Assange has written, it was interesting seeing his perspective on the world and freedoms.

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I expected an interesting interview, nothing more. I got a lot of great info...we live in scary times...you get a good sense of how vulnerable we can be in this new technological landscape

I haven't finish reading this book yet but I feel this book worth reading. Julian Assange showed a very clear logic during the talk (which is more like Google interviewing WikiLeaks however). He clearly expressed his worldview in the talk and in the chapters added. And the footnotes added are a great help for understanding technical terms. However, some examples and footnotes show a biased idea so I think I may also read the book The New Digital Age to kind of round up the picture.

Anyone who doesn't read this book might be said to deserve what is coming to them. But that isn't fair. The magnitude of the things revealed in this book are too large to expect people to just know about them. It turns out George Soros isn't the only super-villain financing Islamic and Communist supremacy. An Iraqi billionaire who financed the British Labour Party, Obama's campaigns and probably his new shadow government is just one major revelation.If you can get the book, get it, If you can avoid google in as many ways as is practical, do so. There is a lot at stake.

A very interesting account from the point of Julian Assange. A must read for someone who wants to understand how state department of US is hand in gloves with tech giants for furthering their agenda. As you read they begin to look more and more like twin brothers. Do no evil? Ha!