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Automate this
256 pages
A brisk, slightly unnerving peek behind the digital curtain at the invisible code running our world.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like putting on a pair of glasses that suddenly reveals the hidden, humming machinery operating just beneath the surface of everyday life. It moves with the brisk, engaging clip of a thriller, yet it is grounded in sharp journalistic inquiry, translating dense mathematical concepts into compelling human stories. The mood is a potent mix of intellectual thrill and creeping paranoia; you will find yourself marveling at the sheer ingenuity of algorithmic design one moment, and grappling with a profound sense of existential unease the next. It is a perfect match for readers who devour Michael Lewis or Cathy O'Neil—those who want to understand the invisible, automated forces quietly rewriting the rules of our economy, culture, and future.
- Mood
- uneasy
- intellectually stimulating
- slightly paranoid
- Tone
- journalistic
- urgent
- cautionary
- analytical
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the invisible hand of technology · human obsolescence · the illusion of control · unintended consequences
- The writing
- Crisp, narrative-driven journalism that translates complex algorithmic concepts into accessible, high-stakes stories.
- The arc
- Begins with fascination at human ingenuity and slowly descends into a creeping unease about our loss of control.
- Who it's for
- Curious skeptics and tech enthusiasts who want to understand the invisible forces shaping modern society and the economy.
Content notes
- existential dread
- discussion of job displacement
About the book
The interaction of man and machine can make our lives easier. But what will the world look like when algorithms control our hospitals, our roads, our culture, and our national security? It used to be that to diagnose an illness, interpret legal documents, analyze foreign policy, or write a newspaper article you needed a human being with specific skills--and maybe an advanced degree or two. These days, high-level tasks are increasingly being handled by algorithms that can do precise work not only with speed but also with nuance. These "bots" started with human programming and logic, but now their reach extends beyond what their creators ever expected. In this frightening book, Christopher Steiner tells the story of how algorithms took over--and shows why the "bot revolution" is about to spill into every aspect of our lives, often silently, without our knowledge.--From publisher description.
Description from Open Library.
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