The last several years, I have attempted some sort of blog writing project in October. Each year that I've done this project it has been challenging but refreshing for me. Practicing finding something to write about every day opens my eyes to the sweet moments in my day, and makes me more grateful. It somehow organizes all the things bouncing around in my brain, and focuses me before the holidays hit. And overall, I think it's just fun to get back to something I enjoy - writing for this blog - simply because I enjoy it!
My previous themes have been "Memory-Keeping" and "Small Things". This year I don't think I am going to pick a set theme, though one may emerge. My goal is just to share something every day (though I may take a break on weekends).
To make this easy on myself, I am going to start with sharing the books I read in September in shorter posts scattered throughout the month! Here is the first mini book review.
The Tyranny Of Big Tech by Joshua Hawley
Ironically, if Big Tech/cancel culture hadn't tried to shut this book down, I probably wouldn't have heard about it at all. Since this is my year with no social media, I am very interested in anything that relates to Big Tech/Big Social Media and the effects they have on people's lives.
Hawley does a deep-dive on the unethical ways that Big Tech has achieved and maintained it's monopoly on information, including the unfair practices of shutting down any legitimate competition, and the way that is infringing on the freedom of the American people in particular. I listened to this book while driving out to Kentucky for out trip last month, in between all the chattering of the kids in the back seat and driving on strange highways I probably didn't absorb as much as if I read it with my eyes, but I still learned so much.
What I found particularly disturbing was the in-depth look at the amount of information that social media is gathering on it's users, and how easily they can manipulate the behavior of social media users - including buying habits, voting, etc. It was another eye-opener for me - I was aware that being on social media made me more likely to make frivolous purchases, but seeing how intentional that is on the part of Big Tech was disturbing, and made me extra glad that I am no longer on social media. It also solidified my decision to keep my kids away from the internet as long as possible.
This book made me cheer Hawley on as he has attempts to hold Big Tech accountable for their possibly illegal monopolistic behavior, and I hope more legislators will join him in his efforts to hold Big Tech accountable. Possibly in 2022. We can hope.
Yah!! I’m glad you will be writing more this month. I look forward to reading your posts. The book sounds like it would be an interesting read. Imagine what good Big Tech could do in the world if it were, well, good.
I’m excited you’ll be blogging more! I read that book recently too and it was a doozy. I was truly alarmed at everything he said. Much of it I knew, but the extent of Big Tech’s knowledge of our lives and habits is unnerving, especially when you consider what that could lead to.
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