No one will ever accuse me of being a prolific reader. Because I’m not.
I go through phases of enjoying reading. And not.
Last year I decided to gift myself an audible subscription, because listening to books is often easier for me (like when I’m working in the garden.) But sometimes it’s not (read: highly distracted.)
This is my first read listen of the year, and man, it’s a doozy. Or whatever the 2023 word for doozy is.
Browsing through podcasts last week, I stumbled on an episode of the Rich Roll podcast which featured Max Fisher, author of The Chaos Machine. And about 10 minutes into the podcast, I knew I’d be investing in the book.
So what’s it about?
Here you go – an excerpt directly from the description page:
We all have a vague sense that social media is bad for our minds, for our children, and for our democracies. But the truth is that its reach and impact run far deeper than we have understood. Building on years of international reporting, Max Fisher tells the gripping and galling inside story of how Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social network preyed on psychological frailties to create the algorithms that drive everyday users to extreme opinions and, increasingly, extreme actions. As Fisher demonstrates, the companies’ founding tenets, combined with a blinkered focus on maximizing engagement, have led to a destabilized world for everyone.
I don’t know about you, but it’s been a few years since I started really feeling the “something is way off here” effects of social media. I blamed the pandemic for my social media fatigue, and I took extended breaks. But each time I returned, I found my willingness to stay, short-lived. Because too much of what I was seeing and reading seemed to be dialed up a notch, so to speak.
Language, visuals, and especially opinions – everything seemed to be dipped in napalm.
And now that I’m deep into The Chaos Machine (full disclosure, at the time of publication of this post, I’ve not yet finished the book – and yet, I feel like my investment in this book is already invaluable) I’m fully aware that I’ve been gaslighting myself about social media.
You know:
- things aren’t really as bad as they seem
- the extremes have always been there, but now they just have a platform
- if I’m seeing more negativity, I must be looking for it
- I’m crazy for thinking it’s the platforms, not the users
Turns out, NOPE.
I’m not crazy, and I’m not confused. And it’s likely you aren’t either. It’s also highly likely you’ve never read (or heard) a fact filled account like The Chaos Machine. Whatever you think you know about the psychological manipulation of social media and tech giants (à la articles, podcasts, and documentaries), it’s probably the tip of the proverbial iceberg. This is a compilation of detailed facts and accounts that is truly unlike anything I could have imagined.
And no, reading this book hasn’t caused me to delete all of my social channels or jump ship. Yet.
I doubt it will.
For me, this is entirely about being more educated on the subject. Since starting this book, I’ve approached every login to a social account with a fresh set of eyes. I have a better understanding of what’s happening behind the algorithms and how I’ve been affected. I also have a better understanding of how people I know (and don’t know) have been both targeted and affected (read: how did so and so become a complete batwhack crazy conspiracy theorist?) And how absolutely dangerous this can be for all of us.
This is not a feel good or easy read. I’ve caught myself holding my breath, several times, throughout my listen. But I’m also looking forward to continuing and finishing the book.
And then I’m probably, most definitely, going to need to listen again.
Because this one feels like required reading.
in my library
