Really enjoyed this one. I had just reread "The Shallows," and fortunately this book pretty much picks up where the former left off. While the first part felt a little more academic in its approach of chronicling a brief history of communications and media studies, the payoff in the way Carr's critiques seam together in the second and third parts is very rewarding. Few other writers who are bold and brave enough to critique Big Tech do so with such astute attention and concern as Nicholas Carr. Reading this book and considering it along with "The Shallows" and "The Glass Cage," Carr's first book on automation and burgeoning AI, feels like a benevolent siren in a sea of noise. The first part may be a minor obstacle for some readers, but those to whom this message really resonates will push through it. We need more writers like Nicholas Carr, and readers would benefit to hear him out on why we should resist the latest and increasingly existential trends of social media. The book's final note pleading for readers to savor their individuality--"If you don't live by your own code, you'll live by someone else's"--is something each of us should really consider.

I am currently writing a review for this, which will be coming out in the American Book Review later in the year. I have had ABR reach out to the company to get a copy; I did read the work but was unable to get a review written before it was archived. Once I get a hard-copy of the book, the review will be written...but, what I will say is Nicholas Carr is one of my favorite writers as it pertains to the human brain, the Digital Age, and how we are losing a lot of what we had prior to the Internet. He does not disappoint here, providing a very straight-forward and insightful history from the early days of the internet to the what is now taking place with AI. Impressive as usual.

Look out for the review in ABR.

DOUG