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The Internet Is Not the Answer
The Internet, created during the Cold War, has now ushered in one of the greatest shifts in society since the Industrial Revolution. There are many positive ways in which the Internet has contributed to the world, but as a society we are less aware of the Internet’s deeply negative effects on our psychology, economy, and culture. In The Internet Is Not the Answer , Andrew Keen, a twenty-year veteran of the tech industry, traces the technological and economic history of the internet from its founding in the 1960s through the rise of the big data companies to the increasing attempts to monetize almost every human activity, and investigates how the internet is reconfiguring our world—often at great cost. In this sharp, witty narrative, informed by the work of other writers, academics, and reporters, as well as his own wide-ranging research and interviews, Keen shows us the tech world, warts and all, and investigates what we can do to make sure the choices we make about the reconfiguring of our society do not lead to unpleasant unforeseen aftershocks.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
86 people are currently reading
2197 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Keen
16 books76 followersAndrew Keen is one of the world’s best known and controversial commentators on the digital revolution.He is the author of three books: Cult of the Amateur, Digital Vertigo and his current international hit The Internet Is Not The Answer which the London Sunday Times acclaimed as a "powerful, frightening read" and the Washington Post called "an enormously useful primer for those of us concerned that online life isn't as shiny as our digital avatars would like us to believe". He is executive director of the Silicon Valley innovation salonFutureCast and a much acclaimed public speaker around the world. In 2015, he was named by GQ magazine in their list of the "100 Most Connected Men”. His next book, How To Fix The Future, will be published worldwide in January 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
December 2, 2020
In- and exclusivity. Transparency and networked society. The juggernauts of the digitrade, digitech, digi-everything. Too much of anything is never a good thing. So, a lot of internet hype gets dismantled in this one.
Of course, it could be said that this book come across as internet-phobic but let's be realistic: it isn't. What it is is paying attention to not just to the upsides of the instaconnectivity age that we happen to live in (as every-fragging-one with their own 50c worth of info feels obligated to worship) but to the other side of the medal as well. We do need to get some balancing to our worldviews, after all.
Nice acquisitions (Google): Deepmind, Nest Labs, Boston Dynamics, Vicarious... etc.
Q: "The physical world," a McKinsey report confirms, "is becoming a type of information system". (c) Frankly? Nothing's changing in the physical world, per se. You just turn off all the gadgets and you can use you computer as a box or a plate or smth like that... So, maybe those frisky consultants should consider checking whether their brains are still intact.
People are just bad at distinguishing between made up objects that only appear in users' minds due to digital prompts. And these are perfectly turnable off along with electricity. The rule pf thumb? Try eating virtual bread and see just how satisfying it is. (Or not.)
Of course, it could be said that this book come across as internet-phobic but let's be realistic: it isn't. What it is is paying attention to not just to the upsides of the instaconnectivity age that we happen to live in (as every-fragging-one with their own 50c worth of info feels obligated to worship) but to the other side of the medal as well. We do need to get some balancing to our worldviews, after all.
Nice acquisitions (Google): Deepmind, Nest Labs, Boston Dynamics, Vicarious... etc.
Q: "The physical world," a McKinsey report confirms, "is becoming a type of information system". (c) Frankly? Nothing's changing in the physical world, per se. You just turn off all the gadgets and you can use you computer as a box or a plate or smth like that... So, maybe those frisky consultants should consider checking whether their brains are still intact.
People are just bad at distinguishing between made up objects that only appear in users' minds due to digital prompts. And these are perfectly turnable off along with electricity. The rule pf thumb? Try eating virtual bread and see just how satisfying it is. (Or not.)
February 11, 2015
After absorbing this astonishing screed against the current state of our digital economy, I can only conclude that Andrew Keen is a bitter man. He confesses to being a failed Internet entrpreneur: while I feel for him in this regard I wonder if that influenced his thinking on the success stories, like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Keen does not understand nor appreciate the nature of a dynamic economy where creative destruction creates new opportunities in exchange for lost industries. He weeps over Kodak's ruins (a company that killed a lot of artists' careers, BTW) and pines for a heavily unionized, regimented and industrialized society tightly constrained by a powerful government. I think the book was a lost opportunity because Keen does raise some good questions about information privacy but is so obsessed with his hatred of Silicon Valley that he comes off as a grouchy Luddite. Sorry, Andrew, the Internet has been a boon, but it has flaws that we can improve.
February 9, 2016
TL:DR - While it raises interesting questions, self-righteous tone, straw-men and copyright industry bias keep it from being a great book. Also -10 points for no index.
In The Internet is not the Answer, Andrew Keen addresses several topics:
- Technological unemployment
- The Internet as wealth redistributor from the poor/middle class to the wealthy
- The rise of the private surveillance society
- How content industries have been destroyed by piracy
- The illusion of democratizing movements, with a special criticism of the Maker movement
- The feudalization of San Francisco and the Silicon Valley and its extension to the rest of the world.
In my view, except for the last, Mr Keen falls short, either because because other books address his areas of concern better or because I think what Mr. Keen attacks is a mischaracterization. Also, the book has an angry, self-righteous tone to it, as though Mr. Keen is one the only one who sees clearly in a world of fools. That grates on the reader.
If you are looking for a heartfelt, somewhat well documented, look at San Francisco/Silicon Valley’s descent into a corporate dystopia with a widening gap between haves and have-nots, this book is for you. Particularly chapter 8, “Epic Fail”
If you want an analysis of the first three items on the list (technological unemployment, upward wealth redistribution, private surveillance society), I honestly think you’d be far better off with Who Owns the Future? by Jared Lanier. The same topics are covered, with similar conclusions but with a tone that shows more respect for the reader and which demands less trust in the author’s simple assertions. Also, “Who Owns the Future” has an index, which “The Internet is not the Answer” does not.
On some topics, such as the impact of piracy, Mr. Keen appears to use biased self-interested sources and is uninterested in alternative hypotheses for the decline of some of the industries he cites. Examples of his use of self-interested sources are his repeated uses of the industry group “International Federation of the Phonographic Industry” and the motion picture industry linked Digital Citizens Alliance. Both groups appear to assume that every pirated copy is a lost sale in their calculations of economic damage. This exaggerates the damage because there are some people who simply won’t buy something if a free version is not available. This is not to excuse piracy, but an effort to be realistic about its effects - a pirated song or movie is only a lost sale if someone would have bought a copy in the absence of something free. Mr. Keen should understand this.
An example of Mr. Kean’s unwillingness to consider alternate explanations can be found on page 130, where he writes:
Really? The ONLY reason that people (18-24) are abandoning movie theaters is because of the availability of pirated movies? Higher ticket prices, higher youth unemployment, the rise of home theater systems and the tendency of people to “Netflix and chill” and the explosive growth of video gaming have NOTHING to do with a drop in moviegoing by young audiences? I do not find it credible to think so.
Then there’s the parts of the book that simply mischaracterize movements. On page 153 Mr. Keen describes the Maker Movement prior to describing his conversation with ale Dougherty of Maker Media. Mr. Keen starts and ends with 3D printing and later pages makes it clear that he believes that 3D printers will be primarily used to pirate designers’ intellectual property. But Making is so much more than 3D printing. It’s about building your own creations, taking things apart to see how they work, using tools to build your physical skills, using 3D software and printing for your own designs. It also includes sewing, cooking and many other physical arts. It’s a movement to make us a little less dependent on distant corporations and invites us to collaborate with one another. For one overview of the Maker Movement that does lean on the tech side, check out Zero to Maker: Learn (Just Enough) to Make (Just About) Anything by David Lang. You might also find ALA’s Center for the Future of Libraries fact sheet on Makers at http://www.ala.org/transforminglibraries/future/trends/makers helpful.
Overall, Mr. Keen does raise useful questions. But the availability of better answers elsewhere plus his tone and clear bias towards copyright industries keeps me from recommending this book to you.
In The Internet is not the Answer, Andrew Keen addresses several topics:
- Technological unemployment
- The Internet as wealth redistributor from the poor/middle class to the wealthy
- The rise of the private surveillance society
- How content industries have been destroyed by piracy
- The illusion of democratizing movements, with a special criticism of the Maker movement
- The feudalization of San Francisco and the Silicon Valley and its extension to the rest of the world.
In my view, except for the last, Mr Keen falls short, either because because other books address his areas of concern better or because I think what Mr. Keen attacks is a mischaracterization. Also, the book has an angry, self-righteous tone to it, as though Mr. Keen is one the only one who sees clearly in a world of fools. That grates on the reader.
If you are looking for a heartfelt, somewhat well documented, look at San Francisco/Silicon Valley’s descent into a corporate dystopia with a widening gap between haves and have-nots, this book is for you. Particularly chapter 8, “Epic Fail”
If you want an analysis of the first three items on the list (technological unemployment, upward wealth redistribution, private surveillance society), I honestly think you’d be far better off with Who Owns the Future? by Jared Lanier. The same topics are covered, with similar conclusions but with a tone that shows more respect for the reader and which demands less trust in the author’s simple assertions. Also, “Who Owns the Future” has an index, which “The Internet is not the Answer” does not.
On some topics, such as the impact of piracy, Mr. Keen appears to use biased self-interested sources and is uninterested in alternative hypotheses for the decline of some of the industries he cites. Examples of his use of self-interested sources are his repeated uses of the industry group “International Federation of the Phonographic Industry” and the motion picture industry linked Digital Citizens Alliance. Both groups appear to assume that every pirated copy is a lost sale in their calculations of economic damage. This exaggerates the damage because there are some people who simply won’t buy something if a free version is not available. This is not to excuse piracy, but an effort to be realistic about its effects - a pirated song or movie is only a lost sale if someone would have bought a copy in the absence of something free. Mr. Keen should understand this.
An example of Mr. Kean’s unwillingness to consider alternate explanations can be found on page 130, where he writes:
“And, of course, the more we use peer-to-peer technologies like “Popcorn Time,” the emptier movie theaters will become. In 2013, there was a 21% drop in the number of what Variety calls the “all important” 18-24 age group buying tickets to watch movies. With the popularity of products like Popcorn Time, expect that number to plummet even more dramatically in the future.”
Really? The ONLY reason that people (18-24) are abandoning movie theaters is because of the availability of pirated movies? Higher ticket prices, higher youth unemployment, the rise of home theater systems and the tendency of people to “Netflix and chill” and the explosive growth of video gaming have NOTHING to do with a drop in moviegoing by young audiences? I do not find it credible to think so.
Then there’s the parts of the book that simply mischaracterize movements. On page 153 Mr. Keen describes the Maker Movement prior to describing his conversation with ale Dougherty of Maker Media. Mr. Keen starts and ends with 3D printing and later pages makes it clear that he believes that 3D printers will be primarily used to pirate designers’ intellectual property. But Making is so much more than 3D printing. It’s about building your own creations, taking things apart to see how they work, using tools to build your physical skills, using 3D software and printing for your own designs. It also includes sewing, cooking and many other physical arts. It’s a movement to make us a little less dependent on distant corporations and invites us to collaborate with one another. For one overview of the Maker Movement that does lean on the tech side, check out Zero to Maker: Learn (Just Enough) to Make (Just About) Anything by David Lang. You might also find ALA’s Center for the Future of Libraries fact sheet on Makers at http://www.ala.org/transforminglibraries/future/trends/makers helpful.
Overall, Mr. Keen does raise useful questions. But the availability of better answers elsewhere plus his tone and clear bias towards copyright industries keeps me from recommending this book to you.
July 10, 2019
Whoa. Getting to the end of this book was a struggle because I swear, I really internalized the messages from this book and started to look at the ways I was contributing to my or my future children's eventual demise and it started chipping away at me. Coupled up with the fact that I read this book around the same time of re-reading The PostMortal by Drew Magary, I just felt this overwhelming sense of bleakness and despondency take me over. It's the feeling you get watching Netflix's Black Mirror, but you're in it, and technically we're all in it.
This was a well-researched book. However, I could tell that Andrew Keen had his complaints lined up, which he sort of confirmed in the acknowledgments, and then went back to validate them all, which is fair. It’s a logical move; but definitely added to the overall finger pointing:- oh look, he's "griping" - feel and nature of the book. That being said, it's totally reasonable griping. It's completely valid commiserating over the state of things and Andrew Keen points out so many potentially forthcoming changes to the world as we know it, that could cripple the economy. However, with only one chapter dedicated to the 'answer' this book was really, REALLY, overwhelmingly bleak and provided minimal answers outside of imposing government-created sanctions regarding how to rectify our lives now that we're so far gone past the point of return with this internet shit.
There are so many layers that create this unequal and unequitable world that we live in. I love that each chapter was dedicated to a particular technological "advancement" in society that broke down existing industries; such as the demise of Kodak with the rise of iPhones and Instagram, and the terrible business practices of Uber. I was a little skeptical of the fact that Andrew Keen only grazed the surface and didn't get too deep into the ways that those original industries were also built off cheap slave-labor economics such as super shitty minimum wage/work-to-death practices (apple, amazon) and never being able to own taxi licenses in the original taxi industry. Keen scratched the surface re: original lion-share company-based capital gains that people left behind for the illusion of “being their own boss” and the often disputed company and product ownership filled with contentious patency laws steeped in racism and misappropriation, especially in America. I felt like he talked about these things minimally to prove his points, but there’s so much more there to discuss and I always appreciate history lessons.
The fact that Silicon Valley and it's big players have such a dominance over the direction of society as we know it, is more than frightening. This book is completely worth the read and I've been telling everyone who'll listen about it, but I feel that it was just written for the sense of being a strategically placed existing warning or an I-told-you-so tale.
I think I wanted more effort from the author to do something more than just speak on the topic. I get that is a kind of a ridiculous perspective on my part because, in a way, this book merely existing is doing a lot. First step is to admit that there’s a problem. However, to me, a book’s mere existence, never feels like nowhere near enough action, especially in these circumstances; but I do recognize that that's just my opinion.
Realistically, this book is just a terrifying reality you feel out of control of. All in all, I think The Internet Is Not The Answer is a book that everyone should read.
This was a well-researched book. However, I could tell that Andrew Keen had his complaints lined up, which he sort of confirmed in the acknowledgments, and then went back to validate them all, which is fair. It’s a logical move; but definitely added to the overall finger pointing:- oh look, he's "griping" - feel and nature of the book. That being said, it's totally reasonable griping. It's completely valid commiserating over the state of things and Andrew Keen points out so many potentially forthcoming changes to the world as we know it, that could cripple the economy. However, with only one chapter dedicated to the 'answer' this book was really, REALLY, overwhelmingly bleak and provided minimal answers outside of imposing government-created sanctions regarding how to rectify our lives now that we're so far gone past the point of return with this internet shit.
There are so many layers that create this unequal and unequitable world that we live in. I love that each chapter was dedicated to a particular technological "advancement" in society that broke down existing industries; such as the demise of Kodak with the rise of iPhones and Instagram, and the terrible business practices of Uber. I was a little skeptical of the fact that Andrew Keen only grazed the surface and didn't get too deep into the ways that those original industries were also built off cheap slave-labor economics such as super shitty minimum wage/work-to-death practices (apple, amazon) and never being able to own taxi licenses in the original taxi industry. Keen scratched the surface re: original lion-share company-based capital gains that people left behind for the illusion of “being their own boss” and the often disputed company and product ownership filled with contentious patency laws steeped in racism and misappropriation, especially in America. I felt like he talked about these things minimally to prove his points, but there’s so much more there to discuss and I always appreciate history lessons.
The fact that Silicon Valley and it's big players have such a dominance over the direction of society as we know it, is more than frightening. This book is completely worth the read and I've been telling everyone who'll listen about it, but I feel that it was just written for the sense of being a strategically placed existing warning or an I-told-you-so tale.
I think I wanted more effort from the author to do something more than just speak on the topic. I get that is a kind of a ridiculous perspective on my part because, in a way, this book merely existing is doing a lot. First step is to admit that there’s a problem. However, to me, a book’s mere existence, never feels like nowhere near enough action, especially in these circumstances; but I do recognize that that's just my opinion.
Realistically, this book is just a terrifying reality you feel out of control of. All in all, I think The Internet Is Not The Answer is a book that everyone should read.
September 7, 2017
Where would we be without the internet and the world wide web in particular? Since its conception in the 1960’s (yes really that long ago) it has grown at an exponential rate and has come to permeate our entire lives in a variety of different ways. In its short existence, it has had bubbles as investors have rushed into schemes, made people fortunes as well as almost become as essential as shelter, food and water. For every laudable use for the net to connect like-minded people across the globe there are many dubious activities; theft, fraud, deception and trolling spring to mind. What you also have now is a consolidation of power as the huge monoliths of the web, Facebook, Google, Amazon have brazenly bullied, bought and pushed their way to the top of the virtual pile.
With this concentration of power has come a pervasive surveillance by the state and private companies of every activity that we do online. There is a concentration of wealth in these people that own and run these organisations too. The negative effects that this is having is only just starting to become visible and from what Keen describes is happening in San Francisco with the polarisation of the rich and poor, it is not going to be pleasant as it affects the wider society. He has written an interesting take on the state of the net and some of the subjects reported in the book are quite eye opening. Whether or not we are too late to do anything about it, time will tell. 3.5 stars
With this concentration of power has come a pervasive surveillance by the state and private companies of every activity that we do online. There is a concentration of wealth in these people that own and run these organisations too. The negative effects that this is having is only just starting to become visible and from what Keen describes is happening in San Francisco with the polarisation of the rich and poor, it is not going to be pleasant as it affects the wider society. He has written an interesting take on the state of the net and some of the subjects reported in the book are quite eye opening. Whether or not we are too late to do anything about it, time will tell. 3.5 stars
March 28, 2015
If only a tenth of this book is true, then be very frightened. Unfortunately, the book is well researched, so is likely that the vast majority of it is true, so be very very frightened.
As a long-time IT person, and having also seen the goings on in all sorts of locations, I have to say that Keen is right on the money, but he has the balls to come out and say what most of us won't.
The author highlights the growing inequality between those who have made it big from the Internet, compared to the rest of us, giving plenty of examples. In his view, the general population is used by these big companies for the purpose of data collection, and the product on offer we swallow without a thought, is incidental.
Keen also warns us of institutional snooping, and gives yet more examples. He states that certain government institutions have backdoor access to many large companies – most of which are household names, who all gave their customer's information to the institution in question.
He also quotes Internet Historian John Naughton, and I paraphrase: "who notes that a certain surreptitious data collecting program uncovered the hidden wiring of our networked world, and revealed the fact that most of these household names are all integral components of a large nation's cyber-surveillance system."
He also posits that much worse is to come. For example, a very large company is working hard on a version of their self-drive car program called Chauffeur, which is designed to replace taxi and bus drivers amongst others. Keen calls the company out on this, because where do all these people, soon to be out of work go? What will all these dispossessed people do in the ever widening gap of the new two tier society?
Is the book worth reading? Definitely yes! If only to know where we are headed, and how gullible we really are.
As a long-time IT person, and having also seen the goings on in all sorts of locations, I have to say that Keen is right on the money, but he has the balls to come out and say what most of us won't.
The author highlights the growing inequality between those who have made it big from the Internet, compared to the rest of us, giving plenty of examples. In his view, the general population is used by these big companies for the purpose of data collection, and the product on offer we swallow without a thought, is incidental.
Keen also warns us of institutional snooping, and gives yet more examples. He states that certain government institutions have backdoor access to many large companies – most of which are household names, who all gave their customer's information to the institution in question.
He also quotes Internet Historian John Naughton, and I paraphrase: "who notes that a certain surreptitious data collecting program uncovered the hidden wiring of our networked world, and revealed the fact that most of these household names are all integral components of a large nation's cyber-surveillance system."
He also posits that much worse is to come. For example, a very large company is working hard on a version of their self-drive car program called Chauffeur, which is designed to replace taxi and bus drivers amongst others. Keen calls the company out on this, because where do all these people, soon to be out of work go? What will all these dispossessed people do in the ever widening gap of the new two tier society?
Is the book worth reading? Definitely yes! If only to know where we are headed, and how gullible we really are.
March 5, 2015
I didn't love this book. I was expecting some interesting counter-arguments to the brave new digital world. However some of the arguments presented weren't compelling to me. For example bemoaning the demise of Kodak in the face of Instagram when, if writing 80 years ago he may have bemoaned the demise of portrait artists in the face of Kodak!
Other examples such as the problem of the cult of the amateur (too many people able to create "content") juxtapose with winner takes all (not enough). It is usual to focus on the huge costs to one [noisy] interest group say taxi drivers rather than the small benefit to many thousands of users who now pay lower prices and have more availability. See also farm subsidies. It's not a position I agree with and the author gives short shrift (in fact doesn't really mention) the very real benefits to all of us from being able to buy books cheaper or stay in New York City without having to pay exorbitant hotel bills..
Other examples such as the problem of the cult of the amateur (too many people able to create "content") juxtapose with winner takes all (not enough). It is usual to focus on the huge costs to one [noisy] interest group say taxi drivers rather than the small benefit to many thousands of users who now pay lower prices and have more availability. See also farm subsidies. It's not a position I agree with and the author gives short shrift (in fact doesn't really mention) the very real benefits to all of us from being able to buy books cheaper or stay in New York City without having to pay exorbitant hotel bills..
February 12, 2015
This book gave me a lot to think about. I think I will look for other takes on the subject. There does seem to be something strange about how companies like Google and Facebook, which are dedicated to connecting people, have built large private complexes with so many services that local businesses like salons, cafes, dry cleaners, have failed. And how so many jobs are disappearing because of the smart, networked world. And of course almost any claim to privacy has disappeared with our willingness to trust the digital world with our friends, finances, plans and so much more.
January 1, 2024
En synnerligen onyanserad kritisk bok om internet, vilket författaren inledningsvis inleder med att den typ inte ska vara. Nästintill en konspiratorisk bok. Också otroligt bitter och skriver ganska otrevliga saker om människor som är i motsatta tankar till honom.
November 20, 2017
The author presents the history of the internet through a very specific political and economic lens. The classifications of the historical periods of the internet are very interesting; they focus on a particular criterion that relates the divergence and emergence with the idea of a general betterment of people and societies and connecting people.
The main theme and thesis of this book is how the internet has created greater, and more profound, economic divisions than any other technology in history. Another sub-thesis inter-dispersed throughout the book is the political influences and implications that came about partly as a by-product of this technological development, specifically in what materializes in public-private partnerships.
Getting past the apocalyptic rhetoric of the book, which seemed at one too many times very distracting and detracting, you might come to question the definition of the internet as a tool for the betterment of humanity. Nothing in the history of the creation and development of the internet solidly verifies or validate this assumption. The internet just like any other technological tool is economic or political in nature; it was created to introduce efficiencies to economic/academic activities and/or create political/military competitive advantages. Like any other technology in the history of humanity it also created disruptions that fundamentally affected how technologies in its wake function and can function. The same effect happened with the introduction of burden animals, wheels, carriages and engines; yet our systems adapt and evolve and life goes on. Every new technological introduction brings about its own set of problems that directly or indirectly contribute to the development of other efficiencies and benefits in other aspects of life. The printing technology by gutenberg was a major contributor to obtaining religious and political freedoms. This is how progress functions, it does not develop smoothly to accommodate the peculiarities of every individual or even whole communities, societies or nations - progress happens in spurs off knowledge culminating to critical levels. As in any other technology there are bad uses and good uses of the technology, but that is a totally different aspect and conversation. Should any technology be restricted and controlled for the bad use by its users or creators? Practically that cannot be done because any technology creates a very complex web of interdependent benefits and costs to too many stakeholders; and as in any other technology relations settle and carry over a set of costs and benefits that may be beneficial or detrimental to humanity notwithstanding any other non-absolute combinations of other technology that may also interact with the any other technology.
Nevertheless, the book describes in detail many of the issues that are voiced by disparate groups who may or may not be representative of the internet population. The issues are valid concerns and the book makes good cases for them. A point of interest is that the most important concerns relate to two areas: privacy and impact on current economic activities. The former I believe is mainly a personal choice that we make; we forgo our right to privacy by seeking real or perceived benefits, vanities and insecurities. The latter, my view on it is that industries with time settle into an arrangement where they gain power and control over consumers that they start to to hold the upper hand; new technologies come in to balance this arrangement until itself position itself with an upper hand and the cycle repeats.
The main theme and thesis of this book is how the internet has created greater, and more profound, economic divisions than any other technology in history. Another sub-thesis inter-dispersed throughout the book is the political influences and implications that came about partly as a by-product of this technological development, specifically in what materializes in public-private partnerships.
Getting past the apocalyptic rhetoric of the book, which seemed at one too many times very distracting and detracting, you might come to question the definition of the internet as a tool for the betterment of humanity. Nothing in the history of the creation and development of the internet solidly verifies or validate this assumption. The internet just like any other technological tool is economic or political in nature; it was created to introduce efficiencies to economic/academic activities and/or create political/military competitive advantages. Like any other technology in the history of humanity it also created disruptions that fundamentally affected how technologies in its wake function and can function. The same effect happened with the introduction of burden animals, wheels, carriages and engines; yet our systems adapt and evolve and life goes on. Every new technological introduction brings about its own set of problems that directly or indirectly contribute to the development of other efficiencies and benefits in other aspects of life. The printing technology by gutenberg was a major contributor to obtaining religious and political freedoms. This is how progress functions, it does not develop smoothly to accommodate the peculiarities of every individual or even whole communities, societies or nations - progress happens in spurs off knowledge culminating to critical levels. As in any other technology there are bad uses and good uses of the technology, but that is a totally different aspect and conversation. Should any technology be restricted and controlled for the bad use by its users or creators? Practically that cannot be done because any technology creates a very complex web of interdependent benefits and costs to too many stakeholders; and as in any other technology relations settle and carry over a set of costs and benefits that may be beneficial or detrimental to humanity notwithstanding any other non-absolute combinations of other technology that may also interact with the any other technology.
Nevertheless, the book describes in detail many of the issues that are voiced by disparate groups who may or may not be representative of the internet population. The issues are valid concerns and the book makes good cases for them. A point of interest is that the most important concerns relate to two areas: privacy and impact on current economic activities. The former I believe is mainly a personal choice that we make; we forgo our right to privacy by seeking real or perceived benefits, vanities and insecurities. The latter, my view on it is that industries with time settle into an arrangement where they gain power and control over consumers that they start to to hold the upper hand; new technologies come in to balance this arrangement until itself position itself with an upper hand and the cycle repeats.
March 16, 2018
In “exchange” for using its app, our photos reveal to Instagram more and more about our tastes, our movements, and our friends. The app (Instagram) reverses the camera lens. That’s why Facebook paid a billion dollars for Systrom’s creation. The Hello this is me economy is actually more selfie-centric than even James Franco imagined. We think we are using Instagram to look at the world, but actually we are the ones who are being watched.
And the more we reveal about ourselves, the more valuable we become to advertisers. So, for example, had I posted those snaps of Kodak’s Rochester world headquarters up on Instagram, the app, by taking advantage of the location data on my iPhone, would have fed me back advertisements with special deals for hotels or, perhaps more appropriately, given the city’s dire economic situation, employment agencies in Rochester. As its parent company, Facebook, is already doing, Instagram might even eventually integrate my photo into an advertisement and use it as an endorsement for a product or service featured in my post. All without my permission or even my knowledge.
All these companies want to know us so intimately that they can package us up and then, without our consent, sell us back to advertisers. This greed for personal data is what Ethan Zuckerman, the director of the MIT Center for Civic Media and one of the inventors of pop-up online ads, describes as the World Wide Web’s “original sin”—a “fiasco,” Zuckerman says, which forces Internet startups that give away their product for free to move “deeper into the world of surveillance.” “It’s obvious now that what we did was a fiasco,” he writes acidly about the “good intentions” of Internet pioneers like himself, “so let me remind you that what we wanted to do was something brave and noble.”
And the more we reveal about ourselves, the more valuable we become to advertisers. So, for example, had I posted those snaps of Kodak’s Rochester world headquarters up on Instagram, the app, by taking advantage of the location data on my iPhone, would have fed me back advertisements with special deals for hotels or, perhaps more appropriately, given the city’s dire economic situation, employment agencies in Rochester. As its parent company, Facebook, is already doing, Instagram might even eventually integrate my photo into an advertisement and use it as an endorsement for a product or service featured in my post. All without my permission or even my knowledge.
All these companies want to know us so intimately that they can package us up and then, without our consent, sell us back to advertisers. This greed for personal data is what Ethan Zuckerman, the director of the MIT Center for Civic Media and one of the inventors of pop-up online ads, describes as the World Wide Web’s “original sin”—a “fiasco,” Zuckerman says, which forces Internet startups that give away their product for free to move “deeper into the world of surveillance.” “It’s obvious now that what we did was a fiasco,” he writes acidly about the “good intentions” of Internet pioneers like himself, “so let me remind you that what we wanted to do was something brave and noble.”
June 25, 2015
Ugh. Fucking Goodreads popup review thing bombed on me and I lost the long review I typed up. Here's the gist.
The guy is probably right about most everything, but he's so seething in anger over the early 2000s disruption of the music industry that he filled the book with logical fallacies (I actually had copy and pasted like 12 of them from that link, ad hominen was probably the most prevalent). We did screw up the Internet and it is damaging our society in myriad ways. I believe that. I just also like a well reasoned argument and this wasn't it. His solution is at least practical, if unlikely to ever happen politcally (like most good solutions): "The answer is to use law and regulation to force the Internet out of its prolonged adolescence." He's right about that. It's probably the only way. The only problem with that is it's never going to happen unless Larry Lessig wins his crusade to stop the corruption of money in politics.
The guy is probably right about most everything, but he's so seething in anger over the early 2000s disruption of the music industry that he filled the book with logical fallacies (I actually had copy and pasted like 12 of them from that link, ad hominen was probably the most prevalent). We did screw up the Internet and it is damaging our society in myriad ways. I believe that. I just also like a well reasoned argument and this wasn't it. His solution is at least practical, if unlikely to ever happen politcally (like most good solutions): "The answer is to use law and regulation to force the Internet out of its prolonged adolescence." He's right about that. It's probably the only way. The only problem with that is it's never going to happen unless Larry Lessig wins his crusade to stop the corruption of money in politics.
July 29, 2015
Occasional chunks of interesting information arise in this stew of tut-tut moralizing and hand-wringing luddite-spiced Old System nostalgia.
March 17, 2015
This is a must read book for everyone interested in how our global economy is being hijacked by a few uber wealthy individuals who provide replacement apps that offer fewer jobs at lower pay AND PAY NO TAX!
There are a few people who are worth many billions and their sole intent is to disrupt our economy by taking away as much money as possible and contributing very little back to society. Not much of a surprise then but when Amazon works to replace low paid highly stressed workers with robots one has to wonder how much longer the world can sustain even more unemployed or low wages employed? The high street stores are in decline, even malls are being abandoned because the effort to travel and shop is made easier by the internet.
Many services such as AirBnB exist without rules, standards, regulations or taxes being paid.
I agree with many points made by the author Andrew Keen. I do not accept all his points though and feel that his opinion on file sharing is naive. He calls it pirating but I say without "sharing" the media industry would be in greater decline. I would not blame the decline on file sharing but I would say if one opens the candy shop doors and leaves them open without any locks or guards then this is a matter of considered and deliberate choice. One can protect everything, no one is even trying.
The Internet Is Not The Answer is an important book and I urge everyone to read it as it impacts each and everyone of us across the entire planet!
There are a few people who are worth many billions and their sole intent is to disrupt our economy by taking away as much money as possible and contributing very little back to society. Not much of a surprise then but when Amazon works to replace low paid highly stressed workers with robots one has to wonder how much longer the world can sustain even more unemployed or low wages employed? The high street stores are in decline, even malls are being abandoned because the effort to travel and shop is made easier by the internet.
Many services such as AirBnB exist without rules, standards, regulations or taxes being paid.
I agree with many points made by the author Andrew Keen. I do not accept all his points though and feel that his opinion on file sharing is naive. He calls it pirating but I say without "sharing" the media industry would be in greater decline. I would not blame the decline on file sharing but I would say if one opens the candy shop doors and leaves them open without any locks or guards then this is a matter of considered and deliberate choice. One can protect everything, no one is even trying.
The Internet Is Not The Answer is an important book and I urge everyone to read it as it impacts each and everyone of us across the entire planet!
March 19, 2015
It's a shame, Keen's argument especially those about the growing income gap and plutocracy from tech money are often quite good, but they get lost in "click bait" fear mongering, and even worse "what about the children," hyperbole that ruins any credibility the author has earned. His evidence is one sided at best relying on known supporters of his position without considering other sides. For example, in explaining the the destruction of the music business by peer to peer file sharing he relies solely on music industry studies, the RIAA and music industry stooges to bolster his position. I really wanted to like this book, I need a counterpoint to those that champion the internet as a cure all to society's needs for my digital history courses, but this one isn't it.
February 3, 2015
Mr. Keen is a bit angry and doesn't know what quite to do. This book points out abuses of the internet innovators of the past 15 years against the public and its trust. He makes some excellent points in his dissection of You-Tube, Napster, Uber, Amazon and similar industry "disrupters". He disparages the life styles of these new billionaire owners of these businesses. Keen grew up as a middle class lad in London and had his own failed internet start-up in the music business. These experiences have left their effect on him and his writing, but his attitude adds an welcome edge. Keen finds lots of targets and hits the mark repeatedly.
It may have useful in this book to compare recent innovations and innovators to the days of Ford, Carnegie and Rockefeller. The opulence exhibited by those men are comparable to current crop of "boy billionaires". The difference, and where Keen has a point, is the robber barons of the Golden Age created industries that employed thousands and raised standards of living of many workers. When Kodak, who went bankrupt with 45,000 employees, was replaced by Instagram with 15 employees, that created a crater that destroyed Rochester, the home of Kodak and continues to devastate that economy and made millionaires of only a few. There lies the source of Keen's ire.
While I don't agree with all the connections Keen tries to make and I don't agree with his solutions, this is a book that raises necessary questions about the use of the internet and the new business models that are being created. It begins with a brief but very interesting history of the net itself. He even gives Al Gore his proper credit. The book is well documented and easy to read. Anyone with a interest in the internet or the businesses being spawned from it will be glad they picked it up.
It may have useful in this book to compare recent innovations and innovators to the days of Ford, Carnegie and Rockefeller. The opulence exhibited by those men are comparable to current crop of "boy billionaires". The difference, and where Keen has a point, is the robber barons of the Golden Age created industries that employed thousands and raised standards of living of many workers. When Kodak, who went bankrupt with 45,000 employees, was replaced by Instagram with 15 employees, that created a crater that destroyed Rochester, the home of Kodak and continues to devastate that economy and made millionaires of only a few. There lies the source of Keen's ire.
While I don't agree with all the connections Keen tries to make and I don't agree with his solutions, this is a book that raises necessary questions about the use of the internet and the new business models that are being created. It begins with a brief but very interesting history of the net itself. He even gives Al Gore his proper credit. The book is well documented and easy to read. Anyone with a interest in the internet or the businesses being spawned from it will be glad they picked it up.
January 12, 2015
This book will probably get fairly negative ratings, as the readership is bound to be a tech-savvy audience that doesn't like the message.
Don't let that stop you from this masterful manifesto on the dangers we face from whole-hearted acceptance of the internet. Though Keen at times goes a bit far in his critique, the core of the message is on point. We threaten to destroy vast realms of our culture in a careles unthinking shift toward infinite digitization. While being Luddites is no good alternative, we should at least consider the ramifications of the world we are bequeathing for our children.
I don't agree with all of the message, but the book is well-written and powerfully stated. Regardless of your position, whether or not the internet is "the answer", Keen's perspective is a vital one to consider.
Don't let that stop you from this masterful manifesto on the dangers we face from whole-hearted acceptance of the internet. Though Keen at times goes a bit far in his critique, the core of the message is on point. We threaten to destroy vast realms of our culture in a careles unthinking shift toward infinite digitization. While being Luddites is no good alternative, we should at least consider the ramifications of the world we are bequeathing for our children.
I don't agree with all of the message, but the book is well-written and powerfully stated. Regardless of your position, whether or not the internet is "the answer", Keen's perspective is a vital one to consider.
June 20, 2015
A very good read. Keen a modern day Muckraker and we need more of. To me the internet companies are like a postman who thinks he owns the mail he delivers! Some how the world has flipped. Google/Facebook should explain its corporate mission statement is" WHAT'S YOURS IS MINE FOREVER" Its only going to get worse without more points of view like Keen is pitching. The best point made is about the singer who had 3,100.000+ song uploads on Pandora and was paid a whopping $39.36...I like a book that you can get pissed off reading and he succeeds at it.
February 5, 2015
An interesting and digestible look into the cultural and social impact of the Internet and how it has evolved over the last quarter-century. Keen sheds some light on why the Internet isn't always the solution--often it's the problem.
May 23, 2017
The purpose of this book is contained in its title. This should not be taken, however, to indicate that the content is not worth reading! Keen backs up his argument with a great deal of very interesting information about the Internet, its creators, and their wonderfully idealistic hopes for its potential. Keen’s concern is about the practical application of the uses of the Internet, i.e. what has actually been happening; and he is very passionate about it. There is a dark side to all of this which needs to be publicised (and that’s quite separate from the more familiar and very real fears regarding the “dark net” and its nasty political and personal potential for disaster). Keen is very much in-your-face about his concerns; he pulls no punches — so be prepared for some hard, confronting data…
We are all of us becoming more and more enmeshed within the invisible chains being woven about us. The wonders and benefits of our astonishing and brilliant technological achievements are continuously and relentlessly being promoted to us. This is the future — especially for our young (their future jobs will be found there) — and the sooner we all accept and appreciate the great achievements opening up for us, the better! And the rush to get on the bandwagon appears irresistible: companies, corporations, banks, governments, political parties, public services, private providers, big businesses, small businesses — the list goes on and on. Everyone’s in on it; and everyone is deliriously happy submitting to its promises and its charms. Our future well-being lies here!
The great irony, however, is that all the promises of the Internet, its potential, its universality, its glorification of individual dreams and opportunities for new and rewarding jobs with untold riches for the asking — all of these are, in a sense, true. In practice, as Keen points out, they are also lies. The dream is just that: a dream
For example, for every thousand or so jobs it creates (these are elite, specialist, very well-paid jobs) a hundred thousand or so other “traditional” jobs are slowly left to die off (think: newspapers, print in general, manufacturing, education, etc. etc.). The net result is a massive decrease in the total number of jobs. “New” jobs, nowadays, seem to be less and less long-term or sustainable; the credo of “creative destruction” that is part of the thinking here is not “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it”, but rather, regardless of whether its broken or not, just break it up anyway, as that “creates” more mini-jobs. Never mind that they obliterate concepts of tenure, stability, local community, identity, family; with no need for such expensive items as health matters (no sick leave), experience (no need for that with our technology), no holiday allowances, etc. These have now become passé. We need to move on. But where is all this leading us?
The immediate result of all this is that, over the last 25 years or so, the middle class has shrunk almost to non-existence; the poor have become poorer, the rich, richer; and the gap between the poor and the filthy rich has become greater and greater. And the rich have responded by creating their closed, restricted, but very secure communities, strongly policed to keep hoi polloi at bay. Society as a whole has become more and more dysfunctional.
Keen suggests that such developments follow a strict Capitalist mentality in the few who have managed to make vast amounts of money from the Net. They have a “winner takes all” mentality which actively discourages competition and interference from anyone. Their vast wealth comes, not from any particular product they are producing themselves, but from the indirect and perhaps unsuspecting masses who crowd around the Net, inputting their own small contributions in their millions, and that unpaid work is then used to siphon off marketers and advertising dollars attracted to the “millions of followers” to perpetuate our highly nature-destructive consumerist mentality. Instead of this wealth feeding back to the public, it is instead concentrated on maximising the profits of the top one percent mega-rich who are the only real monetary beneficiaries… How sustainable can this be for a healthy, happy society?
Could it be that this highly efficient, horrific transmogrification of Capitalism will be the thing which will bring about the end of Capitalism itself, and indeed of society as we know it? This, and other related questions can be considered following on from Keen’s revelations in this disturbing work. The book does not give any answers; but it does sound a loud warning bell. Can we rescue ourselves from ourselves? Or is it already too late? However one feels about this, we have at least been asked to make sure we proceed with eyes wide open instead of with eyes wide shut…
We are all of us becoming more and more enmeshed within the invisible chains being woven about us. The wonders and benefits of our astonishing and brilliant technological achievements are continuously and relentlessly being promoted to us. This is the future — especially for our young (their future jobs will be found there) — and the sooner we all accept and appreciate the great achievements opening up for us, the better! And the rush to get on the bandwagon appears irresistible: companies, corporations, banks, governments, political parties, public services, private providers, big businesses, small businesses — the list goes on and on. Everyone’s in on it; and everyone is deliriously happy submitting to its promises and its charms. Our future well-being lies here!
The great irony, however, is that all the promises of the Internet, its potential, its universality, its glorification of individual dreams and opportunities for new and rewarding jobs with untold riches for the asking — all of these are, in a sense, true. In practice, as Keen points out, they are also lies. The dream is just that: a dream
For example, for every thousand or so jobs it creates (these are elite, specialist, very well-paid jobs) a hundred thousand or so other “traditional” jobs are slowly left to die off (think: newspapers, print in general, manufacturing, education, etc. etc.). The net result is a massive decrease in the total number of jobs. “New” jobs, nowadays, seem to be less and less long-term or sustainable; the credo of “creative destruction” that is part of the thinking here is not “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it”, but rather, regardless of whether its broken or not, just break it up anyway, as that “creates” more mini-jobs. Never mind that they obliterate concepts of tenure, stability, local community, identity, family; with no need for such expensive items as health matters (no sick leave), experience (no need for that with our technology), no holiday allowances, etc. These have now become passé. We need to move on. But where is all this leading us?
The immediate result of all this is that, over the last 25 years or so, the middle class has shrunk almost to non-existence; the poor have become poorer, the rich, richer; and the gap between the poor and the filthy rich has become greater and greater. And the rich have responded by creating their closed, restricted, but very secure communities, strongly policed to keep hoi polloi at bay. Society as a whole has become more and more dysfunctional.
Keen suggests that such developments follow a strict Capitalist mentality in the few who have managed to make vast amounts of money from the Net. They have a “winner takes all” mentality which actively discourages competition and interference from anyone. Their vast wealth comes, not from any particular product they are producing themselves, but from the indirect and perhaps unsuspecting masses who crowd around the Net, inputting their own small contributions in their millions, and that unpaid work is then used to siphon off marketers and advertising dollars attracted to the “millions of followers” to perpetuate our highly nature-destructive consumerist mentality. Instead of this wealth feeding back to the public, it is instead concentrated on maximising the profits of the top one percent mega-rich who are the only real monetary beneficiaries… How sustainable can this be for a healthy, happy society?
Could it be that this highly efficient, horrific transmogrification of Capitalism will be the thing which will bring about the end of Capitalism itself, and indeed of society as we know it? This, and other related questions can be considered following on from Keen’s revelations in this disturbing work. The book does not give any answers; but it does sound a loud warning bell. Can we rescue ourselves from ourselves? Or is it already too late? However one feels about this, we have at least been asked to make sure we proceed with eyes wide open instead of with eyes wide shut…
March 12, 2017
Keen examines how the internet moved away from its altruistic beginnings to become a wealth creation tool for a small number of technocrats, leading in his view to greater economic division between rich and poor, the loss of thousands of jobs and a massive grab of personal data.
The book is well researched and Keen draws on a number of key cases to support his points, although the focus is very much on the US, and particularly the Silicon Valley area. He also focuses very heavily on the economic angle - his points are well made and coherent, but I would have liked him to deal more with the social and cultural aspects. These are referred to in passing, but not developed as thoroughly as the economic ills of the Internet.
This is a disturbing but not wholly pessimistic look at the Internet. Keen has the wisdom to offer solutions (greater and more determined legislation) as well as lamenting the problems, and there is an optimistic afterword that offers some hope for the future. A thought provoking read for anyone who cares about our future and the role technology will play in it.
The book is well researched and Keen draws on a number of key cases to support his points, although the focus is very much on the US, and particularly the Silicon Valley area. He also focuses very heavily on the economic angle - his points are well made and coherent, but I would have liked him to deal more with the social and cultural aspects. These are referred to in passing, but not developed as thoroughly as the economic ills of the Internet.
This is a disturbing but not wholly pessimistic look at the Internet. Keen has the wisdom to offer solutions (greater and more determined legislation) as well as lamenting the problems, and there is an optimistic afterword that offers some hope for the future. A thought provoking read for anyone who cares about our future and the role technology will play in it.
March 23, 2017
Bra delar om internets historia och bra perspetiv på den nya ekonomin men ganska trist med många anekdotiska exempel istället för genomtänkta resonemang. Hur som en viktig fråga som sällan lyfts trots att den formar våra liv så till den milda grad
July 31, 2020
A little selective with its analysis, impatient and over-cynical, but a relevant and worthwhile read.
March 29, 2025
Not bad. 10 years old now which probably affects its rating. Mostly focuses on the economy. Some interesting insights but not my usual cup of tea
August 18, 2015
Intriguing, thought-provoking and current. A takedown, critique and challenge to the people and companies of the digital revolution. While we cannot undo it, we can rethink the social and cultural impact. We know some of this, but Andrew Keen makes a detailed case drawn from many sources, experiences and observations.
When we back away from our digital keyboards, we remember that we are the content, that we are the commodity every time we post, share or like on Facebook. We are tracked while we feed the algorithm every time we search Google. We are the raw product for the Google data factory, an unregulated company that tracks, maps and knows way too much about you and me.
David Byrne, meanwhile, believes that the Internet sucks the creative juice out of the world. Pandora and Spotify exploit indie musicians. In this digital economy, Keen writes, Internet monopolies make big money, not the writers, artists, musicians or filmmakers.
Amazon, Google and Facebook reflect much of what has gone wrong with the Internet, writes Keen. They are gigantic and unregulated bullies. When, for example, will the Justice Department stand up to Amazon? European countries, meanwhile, challenge Amazon and Google.
The Internet fosters a selfie-centered, narcissistic and voyeuristic culture. The Internet remembers everything, it does not forget. It is always now. These broad sweeps of a truth reveal a weakness. The author too often refers to "the Internet," even though it evolved rapidly from the 1960s email network to today's Web 2.0. It is easy to find credible sources and sites while disregarding the hateful commenters, for example.
But don't take Andrew Keen's word for it. Forty-two pages of thorough notes from many sources document this book. He gives us plenty to think about. He also offers history and background to explain how we got here.
On judging a book by its cover: I resist books with gaudy red and yellow marketing covers. I also resist books with strident titles as well as those with titles that express half a thought. But the solid content here stands on its own. Atlantic Monthly Press, publisher. Do not judge this book by its cover.
This may pair well with several new books. Culture Crash: The Killing of the Creative Class will drill deeper into the cultural concerns raised by Andrew Keen, above, and by David Byrne. Also, Dragnet Nation: A Quest for Privacy, Security, and Freedom in a World of Relentless Surveillance, which publishes in paperback next month. Privacy, security and cultural changes intrigue me. But so does the digital impact on our brains. A widely quoted 2010 book, The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by Nicolas Carr, explores this terrain.
Every now and then, I think about chucking the whole damn e-thing then using the computers at the library a couple of times a week. But breaking free from these self-imposed e-shackle addictions? That's the challenge. These four books will motivate me to rethink my online presence.
Checklist. Amazon: I don't spend a dollar there. Facebook: evaluating its value to me and my presence there. Google: I search through DuckDuckGo. Gmail: considering another provider. Android smartphone: Google owns Android, so switching to iPhone would get me out of the Google data factory. Goodreads: I probably will stay connected here. While online privacy and withdrawal becomes a luxury, I will grab a little bit for myself. You can, too.
When we back away from our digital keyboards, we remember that we are the content, that we are the commodity every time we post, share or like on Facebook. We are tracked while we feed the algorithm every time we search Google. We are the raw product for the Google data factory, an unregulated company that tracks, maps and knows way too much about you and me.
David Byrne, meanwhile, believes that the Internet sucks the creative juice out of the world. Pandora and Spotify exploit indie musicians. In this digital economy, Keen writes, Internet monopolies make big money, not the writers, artists, musicians or filmmakers.
Amazon, Google and Facebook reflect much of what has gone wrong with the Internet, writes Keen. They are gigantic and unregulated bullies. When, for example, will the Justice Department stand up to Amazon? European countries, meanwhile, challenge Amazon and Google.
The Internet fosters a selfie-centered, narcissistic and voyeuristic culture. The Internet remembers everything, it does not forget. It is always now. These broad sweeps of a truth reveal a weakness. The author too often refers to "the Internet," even though it evolved rapidly from the 1960s email network to today's Web 2.0. It is easy to find credible sources and sites while disregarding the hateful commenters, for example.
But don't take Andrew Keen's word for it. Forty-two pages of thorough notes from many sources document this book. He gives us plenty to think about. He also offers history and background to explain how we got here.
On judging a book by its cover: I resist books with gaudy red and yellow marketing covers. I also resist books with strident titles as well as those with titles that express half a thought. But the solid content here stands on its own. Atlantic Monthly Press, publisher. Do not judge this book by its cover.
This may pair well with several new books. Culture Crash: The Killing of the Creative Class will drill deeper into the cultural concerns raised by Andrew Keen, above, and by David Byrne. Also, Dragnet Nation: A Quest for Privacy, Security, and Freedom in a World of Relentless Surveillance, which publishes in paperback next month. Privacy, security and cultural changes intrigue me. But so does the digital impact on our brains. A widely quoted 2010 book, The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by Nicolas Carr, explores this terrain.
Every now and then, I think about chucking the whole damn e-thing then using the computers at the library a couple of times a week. But breaking free from these self-imposed e-shackle addictions? That's the challenge. These four books will motivate me to rethink my online presence.
Checklist. Amazon: I don't spend a dollar there. Facebook: evaluating its value to me and my presence there. Google: I search through DuckDuckGo. Gmail: considering another provider. Android smartphone: Google owns Android, so switching to iPhone would get me out of the Google data factory. Goodreads: I probably will stay connected here. While online privacy and withdrawal becomes a luxury, I will grab a little bit for myself. You can, too.
April 18, 2015
I'm interested in both the positive and negative ways the internet impacts our lives, so The Internet is Not the Answer was an easy choice for my reading list. I was thrilled when I received a copy through Goodreads Giveaways.
There are some fabulous facts scattered throughout the book about internet. I was amused to learn that Paul Baran ended up working for RAND after dropping out of UCLA's doctoral program because he couldn't find a parking space. I did not previously appreciate that in terms of money, Google could squash a giant like General Motors. I also had no idea that the seeds of the internet were planted so early.
Despite these interesting facts, I just couldn't finish the book. Much of this is due to my own reading preference; I have a tough time reading any book that is so severely slanted in a particular direction. It's hard for me to trust the information when I know I'm not able to see and evaluate both sides of the argument. And there is an intense, burning anger toward those who've made the big companies like Google and Amazon happen. I'm not saying Keen is wrong; but that rage is so prevalent that while reading the book, I was inherently suspicious of what Keen did or did not choose to include in his book.
As a former librarian, I'm also wondering whether the average reader/average internet user will find this book accessible. People SHOULD question the motives of the big internet companies and how they're using our personal information. There are a lot of internet users out there whose knowledge of the workings of the internet is limited to logging on to social media and occasionally using search engines, and they might not give a thought to the information they're sharing. However, I suspect Keen's pace and writing style will be off-putting for this audience.
Normally, when I don't finish a book because I can tell the book isn't right for me, I don't write a public review. We all have books we just don't connect with and that doesn't necessarily mean those books are bad. However, because I received this book through the Goodreads Giveaways program, I felt obligated to write an honest opinion of the work.
There are some fabulous facts scattered throughout the book about internet. I was amused to learn that Paul Baran ended up working for RAND after dropping out of UCLA's doctoral program because he couldn't find a parking space. I did not previously appreciate that in terms of money, Google could squash a giant like General Motors. I also had no idea that the seeds of the internet were planted so early.
Despite these interesting facts, I just couldn't finish the book. Much of this is due to my own reading preference; I have a tough time reading any book that is so severely slanted in a particular direction. It's hard for me to trust the information when I know I'm not able to see and evaluate both sides of the argument. And there is an intense, burning anger toward those who've made the big companies like Google and Amazon happen. I'm not saying Keen is wrong; but that rage is so prevalent that while reading the book, I was inherently suspicious of what Keen did or did not choose to include in his book.
As a former librarian, I'm also wondering whether the average reader/average internet user will find this book accessible. People SHOULD question the motives of the big internet companies and how they're using our personal information. There are a lot of internet users out there whose knowledge of the workings of the internet is limited to logging on to social media and occasionally using search engines, and they might not give a thought to the information they're sharing. However, I suspect Keen's pace and writing style will be off-putting for this audience.
Normally, when I don't finish a book because I can tell the book isn't right for me, I don't write a public review. We all have books we just don't connect with and that doesn't necessarily mean those books are bad. However, because I received this book through the Goodreads Giveaways program, I felt obligated to write an honest opinion of the work.
May 26, 2015
I would class this book, along with The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion and Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business as required reading for any citizen of the 21st century.
There is no doubt this book is a polemic, and an at times fiery one at that. The author's position is controversial, sometimes very personal, and undoubtedly will be challenged by many. However, there is little room for doubt that much of what he describes is factually accurate, even if many might question his interpretation of the facts. Agree with his thesis or not though, in an age where the Internet is being relentlessly marketed to us, every waking moment of every day, as the perfect answer to every question, any reasonable person owes it to themselves to hear out the counterargument, and seriously question the issues raised by his argument, depressing as they sometimes may be.
The writing is as enjoyable and effortless as the subject matter is depressing and difficult. It makes for a quick read, that very likely will change how you think about everything in our modern networked life. I think even the most ardent proponent of the web should read it, if for no other reason than to understand why a growing number of people are less than enthusiastic about the social, digital, networked, technocratic utopia Silicon Valley is trying to sell us.
There is no doubt this book is a polemic, and an at times fiery one at that. The author's position is controversial, sometimes very personal, and undoubtedly will be challenged by many. However, there is little room for doubt that much of what he describes is factually accurate, even if many might question his interpretation of the facts. Agree with his thesis or not though, in an age where the Internet is being relentlessly marketed to us, every waking moment of every day, as the perfect answer to every question, any reasonable person owes it to themselves to hear out the counterargument, and seriously question the issues raised by his argument, depressing as they sometimes may be.
The writing is as enjoyable and effortless as the subject matter is depressing and difficult. It makes for a quick read, that very likely will change how you think about everything in our modern networked life. I think even the most ardent proponent of the web should read it, if for no other reason than to understand why a growing number of people are less than enthusiastic about the social, digital, networked, technocratic utopia Silicon Valley is trying to sell us.
February 5, 2016
Yeah, this was "ok," for sure. The legwork is nice to see and the cutting arguments against the celestial technopreneurs are appreciable in a general sense. It's still bewildering to me that these kinds of understandings about contemporary app culture are shocking to anyone with their ears and eyes open: why do you think everything is so free? Do you really think that Uber solves anything? But we must do better than petty nostalgia and anecdotes of rage: when jobs become redundant, it is no solution to continue using a human in that redundancy. Instead it is better to address the systems of disparity. So if workers are put out of work by technology, don't propose to give them useless jobs; instead, start making arguments for a universal living wage! Keen misses such true critique of a system he loves to hate, instead railing in traditional fashion against all change, as well as the people who change things. As he writes about developers and the new aristocracy,
Like most revolutionaries, they had appointed themselves as the emancipators of the people, without bothering to check with the people first.The trouble here is that his criticism may be accurate in a limited sense, but its wider blindness limits his vision. So: perhaps the internet is no answer. But neither is Keen's book. The trite thing to say is that we need "new" questions. Instead, I'd say, turn to the real revolutionaries.
July 9, 2019
Other reviewers have hit on most of what I'd want to say about Keen's hyperbolic screed against technology, so I'll mention the one aspect that I haven't seen brought up:
Andrew Keen is a two-faced jerk. Every interview he conducts with people that he doesn't agree with is laden with his sneering, insulting, and probably totally inaccurate comments about their physical appearance, their posture, their speech patterns, their lifestyle, their psychological traits, etcetera. To their face he's polite, aside from mean girl-style backhanded compliments that somehow always go over the other person's head (suggesting that he probably didn't actually say those things in person and is just adding after the fact to make himself seem clever), but all of his descriptions of those he interviews are riddled with derision and bile. Often, he'll talk about a tour he was generously given by someone, the description of which is bogged down with disgust, and follow it up with an interview that he doesn't even bother to relate. Instead of the conversation, he just spends pages talking about what an evil piece of human garbage his interviewee is. I can't imagine why anyone would ever consent to have a conversation with Keen if they've read this book, because it would have to be assumed that anything he writes about that discussion will be a deliberately inaccurate hitpiece.
Andrew Keen is a two-faced jerk. Every interview he conducts with people that he doesn't agree with is laden with his sneering, insulting, and probably totally inaccurate comments about their physical appearance, their posture, their speech patterns, their lifestyle, their psychological traits, etcetera. To their face he's polite, aside from mean girl-style backhanded compliments that somehow always go over the other person's head (suggesting that he probably didn't actually say those things in person and is just adding after the fact to make himself seem clever), but all of his descriptions of those he interviews are riddled with derision and bile. Often, he'll talk about a tour he was generously given by someone, the description of which is bogged down with disgust, and follow it up with an interview that he doesn't even bother to relate. Instead of the conversation, he just spends pages talking about what an evil piece of human garbage his interviewee is. I can't imagine why anyone would ever consent to have a conversation with Keen if they've read this book, because it would have to be assumed that anything he writes about that discussion will be a deliberately inaccurate hitpiece.
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