pickThis is a must read for anyone interested in or horrified by the ways in which social media has disrupted how we write, communicate with each other and conceive of ourselves, politics and society. Moreover, this essay in book format reads as part philosophy, psychology and history to deliver a thorough analysis of the present danger posed by the “social industry” especially in relation to conspiracy theories and political campaigns. Great read!
Todays episode of The Checkout Stack features jukebox heroines - books of women in the music industry. Tune in for a great set of recommendations and to learn a little bit about our guest librarians self designated title of book club therapist wherever you listen to podcasts!
pickIt's wonderful to find something that reinforces ideas you've already started implementing in your life. This book preaches a life where the attention economy is deprived of your attention. No social media on your phone. Limit the time you do access. Choose high quality news sources only including a newspaper.Your time=their money. Take back your time. Suggestions of how are given throughout the book. Take the time to read this and apply it.
pickSo good! I learned so much about refrigeration, but this has changed my view of modern life vs pre-refrigeration times (not that long ago!). Modern refrigeration has changed everything! The way we eat, farm, and subsequently waste food. It has shaped cities and communities around the world. Interesting chapter at the end about the downfalls of refrigeration and new technologies to preserve food to replace it. Also good on audio!
pickIf you are curious about AI, and especially if you work in education, then this book would be a great one to read. The author also has a Substack called One Useful Thing.
The writing is engaging and even JRR Tolkien is quoted!
I especially enjoyed the chapters on AI as a creative, as a tutor, and as a coach.
I had a three day weekend, so with plenty of time for reading, I alternated between two mysteries and two
nonfiction books #WeekendReads @rachelsbrittain
🌹 Kill Her Twice
🇮🇸 Puffin of Death
🤖 Co-Intelligence
🇮🇩 The Jakarta Method
pickWell, this was a terrifying read for my sociopolitical theme. Kashmir Hill is a NYT journalist investigating Clearview AI. This facial recognition platform claims a 98.6% accuracy rate, with over 50 billion facial profiles, harvested from all public websites.
Highly recommended as it's important we realise what these companies are doing and the consequences of their product.
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
“I believe the cost of getting to know AI—really getting to know AI—is at least three sleepless nights.
panAn in depth, pre-Snowden journalistic investigation into the world of whistleblowers and data leakers.
This was a tough read to get into. Interesting, but dry and dense. Every chapter is also an interweaving of multiple people‘s stories. Pair all that with intentional misgendering and deadnaming of Chelsea Manning and glossing over Julian Assange‘s sexual assault allegations, this is not a book I need to keep or revisit. 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑
pickRana Foroohar is global business columnist and associate editor at the Financial Times and CNN‘s global economic analyst. Published in 2019 it‘s an absorbing and frightening look at how Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google hoard data and intellectual property to maintain market dominance, influence politics and maintain their value and a prescient warning given how the companies are now jostling to influence the incoming Trump presidency.
