The Web We Weave: Why We Must Reclaim the Internet from Moguls, Misanthropes, and Moral Panic by Jeff Jarvis is an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of the modern internet and its implications for society. Jarvis, a media expert and advocate for digital rights, critiques the power dynamics that have shaped the internet into something that often prioritizes profit over people, surveillance over privacy, and division over connection.

In this book, Jarvis argues that the internet, which was once a platform for open communication, creativity, and community, has become dominated by powerful corporations and individuals who have distorted its original promise. He delves into the ways in which these forces—ranging from tech moguls to political actors—have reshaped the web into a space driven by misinformation, exploitation, and fear.

Jarvis offers a passionate plea for reclaiming the internet as a tool for good, emphasizing the need for greater accountability, transparency, and fairness in how it is governed and used. The book provides a comprehensive examination of the dangers posed by the current state of the web, including issues such as algorithmic bias, privacy violations, and the rise of harmful online behavior, and suggests actionable steps that individuals, communities, and policymakers can take to restore the internet to its more idealistic roots.

The Web We Weave is a powerful call to action for anyone concerned about the future of the internet and its role in shaping our lives. Jarvis combines a deep understanding of the digital landscape with an unwavering belief in the potential for positive change, making this book a vital read for those who want to help steer the internet toward a more inclusive, ethical, and equitable future.

I get that the author is trying to bring a sense of optimism concerning social media and the internet, but I was just not convinced by his reasoning or evidence.

The internet has been arraigned in the court of public opinion. The charge sheet is full: run the gamut from spreading hatred to the Internet being the reservoir of disinformation, thereby undermining democracies and cultures, and leading the youths the wrong way. Given the state of affairs, somebody has to defend the Internet. That somebody is Jeff Jarvis. This book is therefore Jeff’s submission in his defense of the internet, a valuable tool that should be used correctly to get the most out of it. Jeff closely examines the seven deadly sins labeled against the internet, in the end asking a very pragmatic question: Are these sins not the product of human behaviors? this book exposes the systematic approach used to demonize the Internet right from time immemorial. Additionally, it looks into the regulations put in place to streamline the internet, elaborating on what’s working about them and what isn't. Also included in this book is AI, rather how they’ve been embraced, the fear the generative AI has generated, and while still on the subject of AI, Steven Schwartz’s story, a lawyer by profession, will leave readers with much to ponder over. Interestingly, Jeff also shares his opinion about Twitter, which is now X, and Elon Musk.

For people curious about the Internet’s gains and losses, The Web We Weave: Why We Must Reclaim the Internet From Moguls, Misanthropes, and Moral Panic by Jeff Jarvis eloquently offers an in-depth look at everything Internet.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This was a really interesting examination of the internet and the way that we have adapted to our new normal. There is, of course, a lot to be said for all the development that the world wide web has given us, This is a book that focuses on the rhetoric that we hear so often, mired in moral panic about the internet. I do appreciate that there was so much thought that went into this book, and it was very clearly well researched.

With that said, I think it was perhaps a little too optimistic. The author takes a view that the ills of the internet have been somewhat overstated, and unfortunately I don't think I can agree. There's something to say for both sides of the argument I think, and a similar book (if not the same kind of book with a different slant) could be written.

I unfortunately cannot say that I took the same approach to the material that the author did, but I will say that it was well researched, well thought out, and a book that the author was clearly very passionate about.