We all know social media platforms aren’t good for us. Low self-esteem, fear of missing out, general depression and envy are some of the more common side effects that most people experience and are aware of when it comes to their participation on these sites. But The Chaos Machine by Max Fisher takes this knowledge further by examining the algorithms used by Silicon Valley through these platforms and their harmful affects on society. Although I found this book fascinating, I also found it disturbing, so I tried to get through it as quickly as possible so I could pick up something a little less upsetting for my bedtime reading.
Book Summary
Max Fisher is an investigative reporter for The New York Times learning about the inner workings on the corporate giants Google (which owns YouTube), Facebook, and to a lesser extent, Twitter. As a well-respected journalist, he has access to many reputable sources, including lots of ex-employees of these companies. Through interviews, Fisher reports on those employees who realized the algorithms that were created to increase engagement were also radicalizing people, recommending other videos, groups and articles that take a polarized approach to whatever topic people began to show interest in. The tendency of humans to show interest in more emotionally stirring pieces of content is exploited by the artificial intelligence of these algorithms, which increases the spread of misinformation, eventually leading to some radical and violent action. Fisher explores the idea of free speech as a wall that Silicon Valley hides behind, reluctant to take down inflammatory posts because it continues to drive views and advertising dollars. The power and influence of these companies are even more widespread in third world countries where news is scarcely available, in some places only coming through apps like Facebook. At a minimum these issues lead to isolated groups of people, and at worst, it has led to genocide, all claims that Fisher substantiates through his research.
My Thoughts
I began reading this book with the understanding that I wasn’t going to ‘like’ what I read. I know social media is bad for me, I have a general understanding that it contains algorithms to keep me scrolling, but I believe I have enough self-control that I can easily stop when I recognize it becomes harmful. I went so far as to remove Twitter from my phone a few months ago, and I am much happier now – less aware of the news mind you, but happier. But when Fisher takes the harmful affects of social media and extends his argument into the second and third world countries, where the population rarely has access to a computer, this is when I learned things that truly shocked me. I won’t do it justice by even trying to offer a summary, but the way Fisher reports how Facebook entered Myanmar and essentially brought them the internet, still surprises me – I didn’t think a corporation would have the allowances to work so closely with a government like this on critical infrastructure, especially a newly installed one. Ex-employees of Facebook admit to having their blood on their hands, and although it may sound like hyperbole, I agree with them after having read this book.
Fisher’s writing seamlessly weaves in quotes from experts, revelant research, and his own beliefs. There is a significant section of endnotes at the back, rather than the pesky footnotes that interrupt the flow of writing. He convincingly argues that the problems with social media stem from Silicon Valley and its subversive culture. Sites like Facebook, 4chan and Reddit were created with the goal of connecting people in ways they never have been before, unleashing the power of free speech and giving everyone a platform. But when the success of these mediums depend on time spent on them, it leads to abuse of power, and shutting down heavy users or content that drives up views is counterintuitive to a corporation – if it’s making money, everyone is (or should be) happy. Fisher’s background information on the beginnings of Silicon Valley is quick but thorough, just enough to make the reader feel informed, but not overwhelmed. Despite a few points that feel repetitive, the book is overall quite easy to read, I was pleasantly surprised by how accessible he made the topic that could have easily gotten bogged down in the wrong hands.
I picked up this book because I’m going to recommend it on my next radio segment as a good gift idea for those hard-to-buy people on your list (i.e. older men). However I can think of so many people in my life who would find this book interesting, or who could benefit from reading it and understanding the forces behind the content they consume. Still, it should come with a warning – you can’t unlearn these things once you are exposed to them, but if that results in less people connecting on social media and back in person instead, I think that’s better for our society as a whole.
Sounds essential reading! Having decided that Twitter ain’t big enough for me and Trump, I’ve come off it too at the moment and hope I’ll be able to stick to that. The algorithms are both terrifying and annoying, and I do wonder sometimes if they’re counter-productive. Twitter offers me only things I’ve clicked on before, but I’m sure I’m not the only person who has only a passing interest in some topics. I do not want a constant diet of Amber Heard, Meghan Markle and JK Rowling, whatever Twitter thinks! So in fact quite often the algorithms make me switch off rather than on. I’m aware of the damage these sites have done in the West but I wasn’t aware they’d been meddling in the poorer countries of the world. It’s long past time our governments set some real boundaries on the internet. Freedom of speech is not a good enough reason to allow sick billionaires to corrupt the world…
Agreed FF! Everyone should read this book, just to increase awareness of the power of FB, etc.
There was a similar documentary on Netflix that I watched about a year ago. I do spend time on Reddit, but one thing I appreciate about them is 1) I don’t need an account and 2) I can choose a subreddit that uplifts me, with humans being kind or cute animals. I have a Facebook account for calendars only (Deaf events, etc.). I have zero friends on there, and no one can friend me unless they’re a friend of a friend. The only social media I use, then, is my blog!
Good for you, Melanie!
Yes, I find our blogs are one of the VERY FEW places I find uplifting, productive, educational, etc. I love this place, and will likely never leave hahah
Even when someone is worried or expressing their concerns about something, they always have a game plan, whether that’s a bath and a book or to protest in an e-bike parade.
yup good point. Plus, we are all very empathetic people in general, so it tends to feel very welcoming and respectful in general
Oof, I think this book would enrage me. I watched that same doc that Melanie watched and it was scary. I quit Twitter after Elon’s takeover, I couldn’t support his stupidity. But I’m still on Instagram… too much, unfortunately. Thinking about doing another Instagram detox soon. It was very good for me last time!
I’m seriously thinking of just closing my instagram account. I hardly ever use it, and it barely drives any traffic to my blog. It’s a great time waster, but it does give me severe fomo too
This sounds like an important read, though a painful one. It sounds really eye-opening because I hadn’t honestly thought much about social media and its algorithms in developing nations.
Yes, the whole developing nation line really shocked and saddened me.
I watched that same NF documentary. I find the whole thing disturbing, but fascinating. I also listened to a book recently called Stolen Focus that had some of the same information in it, but was also more broadly about our shrinking attention spans. It makes me wonder how much further we can possibly go.
Oh I think I’ve heard of that book! Really fascinating stuff.
I’m curious whether you felt like the repetition you encountered was part of the writing or whether it’s just that these corporations are simply doing the same things over and over AND over again because they work (and people engage and help them work) over and over and…. Like, the details change, but their way of operating just repeats?
I feel for all the ordinary people who have been working hard for these tech conglomerates and now find themselves unemployed with thousands and thousands of their coworkers right now. Another way in which these corporations show their true intentions and it’s not about bettering the lives of everyday people.
Yes that’s a good point – I am seeing on LInkedin every day notice of mass layoffs, and a ton of people looking for work. Luckily those folks are probably high employable with their tech skills.
The repetition I experienced was a bit of both – he came out with some points that had been brought up beforehand, so I was a bit annoyed with that.
Interesting read