Book description
Finalist for the Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism From a New York Times investigative reporter, this "authoritative and devastating account of the impacts of social media" (New York Times Book Review) tracks the high-stakes inside story of how Big Tech's breakneck race to drive engagement--and profits--at all costs fractured the world. The Chaos Machine is "an essential book for our times" (Ezra Klein). We all have a vague sense that social media is bad for our minds, for our children, and for our democracies. But the truth is that its reach and impact run far deeper than we have understood. Building on years of international reporting, Max Fisher tells the gripping and galling inside story of how Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social network preyed on psychological frailties to create the algorithms that drive everyday users to extreme opinions and, increasingly, extreme actions. As Fisher demonstrates, the companies' founding tenets, combined with a blinkered focus on maximizing engagement, have led to a destabilized world for everyone. Traversing the planet, Fisher tracks the ubiquity of hate speech and its spillover into violence, ills that first festered in far-off locales, to their dark culmination in America during the pandemic, the 2020 election, and the Capitol Insurrection. Through it all, the social-media giants refused to intervene in any meaningful way, claiming to champion free speech when in fact what they most prized were limitless profits. The result, as Fisher shows, is a cultural shift toward a world in which people are polarized not by beliefs based on facts, but by misinformation, outrage, and fear. His narrative is about more than the villains, however. Fisher also weaves together the stories of the heroic outsiders and Silicon Valley defectors who raised the alarm and revealed what was happening behind the closed doors of Big Tech. Both panoramic and intimate, The Chaos Machine is the definitive account of the meteoric rise and troubled legacy of the tech titans, as well as a rousing and hopeful call to arrest the havoc wreaked on our minds and our world before it's too late.
Mechani-Man
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. ListenBook is a game-changer – it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. ListenBook has changed my audiobook game forever. No more format woes! Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience.
Chuckles
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption – a fantastic way to measure my progress. ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips.
Earl of Arms
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight.
Dancing Madman
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends – and they all love it! Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Liquid Science
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks. 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. ListenBook has transformed my daily routine into an opportunity to learn, relax, and enjoy.
Trixie
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
Loot
🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again.
Pinball Wizard
This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. 🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫
Shady Lady
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Daisy Stick
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. 🏝️ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures – this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. ☀️📖 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight.
Mr. Fabulous
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Gov Skull
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits.
Snow Hound
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. ⏰ Starting my mornings with inspiration – audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! ☀️🎧 ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Fire Feline
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Sun Runner
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. 🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖
Con Mammoth
I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. 🚗📖 Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks – driving has never been this fun! 🚗🎧 I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
2nd Hand Joe
ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. The convenience of downloading audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
Easy Street
I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. 📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Gumby Train
🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Cupid Dust
🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ 🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨ ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience