The Filter Bubble: What The Internet is Hiding From You
Eli Pariser
(Viking, Rs. 550)
Many of us are becoming increasingly dependent on the Internet. Movies to watch, books to read, watches to own…. everything is recommended by the Internet. But do we realise that this process extends to the news items we see or the choices we have?
That is what Pariser sets out to do in this investigation. He breaks down several complex concepts and puts them before readers lucidly, so that we are aware of how the Internet controls the information we consume.
He also addresses issues such as the growing power of the invisible intermediaries. As Pariser writes, “… once an anonymous medium, it is now a tool for soliciting and analysing our personal data...” Though the phenomenon has gone largely undetected until now, personalised filters are sweeping the Web, creating individual universes of information for each of us.
In a personalised world, we will be increasingly fed with only news that is pleasant, familiar, and reiterates our beliefs — and because these filters are invisible, we won't know what is being hidden from us. Our past interests will determine what we are exposed to in the future, leaving less room for the unexpected encounters that spark creativity, innovation, and the democratic exchange of ideas.
This book not only uncovers a rising phenomenon, but also tries to see what we can do about it.
The Great Disruption: How the Climate Crisis Will Transform the Global Economy
Paul Gilding
(Bloomsbury, Rs. 599)
The earth is full. That's how Paul begins and then goes on to talk about climate change and its economic ramifications.
Climate change is something we have been witnessing for quite a while. But Gilding, in this book, says we can stop worrying about it. Yes, now since this phenomenon has already hit the earth, what we need to do is worry about its impact.
Major ecological changes such as the melting polar icecaps have already sent alarming signals as has the depletion of the ozone layer. Paul, former CEO of Greenpeace Foundation, believes, thanks to climate change, a period of massive instability is about to hit us. He writes, “We are facing limits imposed by physics, chemistry and biology, because the Earth is now full. Despite human brilliance at technological innovation, our current naïve faith in economic growth as a solution to our difficulties will inevitably fail us and we will hit the wall probably quite soon.”
But Gilding is an optimist. He argues that this disruption might actually bring out the best from the human mind in terms of innovation and community spirit. “Our species is slow but not stupid,” he says. Perhaps this period of peril will “take human society to a higher evolutionary state, where we will address centuries-old challenges.”
The Corner Office: How Top CEOs Made It and How You Can too
Adam Bryant
(Harper Press, Rs. 399)
Adam Bryant, deputy national editor of The New York Times , interviewed more than 70 CEOs and top executives of small, medium and large companies, NGOs and educational institutions. The outcome of these interviews is this book where Bryant reveals the key to successful business leadership.
He lists important traits that a CEO requires, demystifies the art of leadership and tells us how we too have it in us to lead and become great executives.
