The People Vs Tech: How the internet is killing democracy (and how we save it)

This is a brilliant book . Around the world , we could see Democratic states being turned to a totalitarian states. Technology and Social Media have destroyed Democratic Values and Culture . People tend to believe what they see on internet without verifying . This is dangerous. Another thing is that , it’s unsafe to share private information on social media . Can we really trust them ?

Remarkable analysis by Jamie Bartlett .I must confess that this book has transformed my thoughts on effects of Technology(Internet/apps/ social media). Earlier I used to think in small shell of benefits of technology but with this book my understanding of technology has widened a lot.Author has brilliantly covered how tech giants/ silicon valley barons have created monopolies & actually looting us which in turn causing widened inequality in world.This is not a healthy thing for democracy to thrive.The book is divided into 6 chapters in which author logically presents the designs of big tech giants.He has brilliantly covered the concept that how these tech giants though call for freedom of expression ,are actually one who believes in supression or stealing of information. Author has judiciously covered about deteriorating relation between technology and democracies.Contrary to popular belief that technology will bring more decentralisation, it had caused over centralisation & monopoly. A chapter on how some followers of crypto anarchy could cause embarrassement for the governments.In the epilogue, author gives 20 ideas to save democracy in this age. My reviews for amazon customers: LIKES : 1) logical flow of information. 2) easy and perfect examples to present the complicated issues. 3) Contains interviews & statements of good numbers of tech giants. 4) Facts & datas with numbers. DISLIKES: 1) Expected more chapters with wide coverage. 2) Sometimes book becomes monotonous in some chapters. 3) Not hard cover. 4) No pictures. SPECIFICATIONS: Book Name : The people vs tech Pages : 224 Author : Jamie Bartlett Publisher : Penguin Random House, UK

especially who addicted to internet and easily influence over social media content. This book simply give the idea of connection bw internet and democracy. and how democracy is diminishing and instinctive and fast growing nature is developing.

An extemely important book of contemporary importance..

Siri- please suggest who should I Vote for in this election? For it knows a lot about my preferences, priorities, values and needs, having studied me (my data) over time, and has also the ability to review the details of several candidates in the fray, to match the one which is most likely to deliver on my expectations better. If the belief is that powerful algorithm can help me make better voting decision, then is technology making democracy more efficient (through more informed decision matching) or redundant (by manipulating the individual’s free-will)? These any several other important questions emerge, as the role technology is playing in influencing (and sometimes deciding for us) the key decisions we take- from what we eat, how we travel, what we buy, what news we consume, to how we feel at any moment, becomes more invasive and prominent. While, most of us experience the growing role of internet and new technologies, in our daily lives, the ways it impacts the society as a whole, are very well brought out in the book, using good references and relate-able instances. Say internet connects everyone to everyone- but does it bring diverse people closer or enhance the tribal tendencies of liking our own kinds? What would happen to vibrant middle class, as it gets to loose jobs to automation, and no longer plays active role in promoting democratic norms. Even if the conclusion that Tech is having great potential to impact our existing norms and democratic and economic values is not new, its import and eminence is well brought out and associated with it the call for action. Book do present compilation of twenty ideas to save democracy, each one of which off-course needs much greater analysis and further work, for it to be a serious response to impact Tech is making on democracy as we know and define today!

4 star ,as the book was little damaged during Transportation but overall condition was good.Also the book has relatable content which makes you think.

This is not a expensive book and for this cheap this book is just worth it. I like the book so much and the quality is also great

Very well written The writer understands the topics very well Was able to make the layman understand what CA like firms do

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Highly recommended!! This book should be essential reading. The internet was supposed to set us free and aid democracy. But as Bartlett shows through a series of compelling arguments, the opposite is happening. From 'psychographics' and emotional manipulation, to unknowable algorithms and the re-tribalisation to politics, to tech giant monopolies and AI leading to the demise of the middle class, to crypto-anarchists and increasingly powerful encryption undermining the state's ability to enforce law and order, Bartlett paints a deeply worrying picture of how the internet and technology will continue to undermine democracy in the coming years. But he also gives some extremely interesting and practical ideas (20 in total) to reverse these trends - through a mixture of regulation (over algorithms, bitcoin, political campaigning), personal responsibility and action (he tells us to 'smash our own echo chambers' by seeking alternative sources and viewpoints), education (teaching critical thinking), new responsibilities for tech companies (a 'new digital ethics' with services designed to 'aid human well-being rather than maximise clicks'), transparency measures ('political parties should be required to publish databases of every point, advert and targeting technique they use during an election'), as well as a number of ideas for mitigating the impact of AI and automation and addressing inequality (e.g. taxing robots and creating new platforms for unionisation in the gig economy). I can think of few books that are as timely, interesting, and insightful - while being a pleasure to read at the same time.

A book full of food for thought and very timely even if read in 2024

I've known for quite awhile that gerrymandering and big political contributions disenfranchise U.S. citizens from our democracy. This book describes a new threat - the increasingly pervasive influence of digital information on society. This book explains many things currently observed around us - the loss of trust in government, the fragmentation of society and the manipulation of opinion and elections via social media. There's a nice section on Cambridge Analytica, describing how targeted advertising has been redirected to influence close elections (e.g. Brexit and the 2016 U.S. presidential election). This is a forward looking, somewhat scary look at our choice between a utopian or dystopian future. It's very educational and well worth the $2.99 cost on Kindle.

Un libro que explica perfectamente los peligros que las nuevas tecnologias suponen para las democracias actuales.