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.
Fatsy Bear
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Jelly Camber
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. π Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. π§β¨ Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a triumph. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
2nd Hand Joe
The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Twitch
Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's functionality is a standout. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
DuckDuck
No need to convert files anymore β ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
DragonBlood
With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life.
Gold Bentley
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth.
Succubus In Training
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Sw33per
π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π πΌ Workday blues? Not anymore β this app turns my office hours into reading time! π»π User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is impressive.
Easy Street
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind.
Moxie
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Married Man
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. ππ The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Chip Queen
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! Flawless support for various audio formats. Highly satisfied. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
Miss Mustard
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable β this app's design is a triumph.
Jack Cassidy
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Jester
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Unlocking a world of literary wonders β this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. π±π
Teeder
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³ Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Pinball Esq
The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Zod
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual exploration and personal growth.
Wanted Candy
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. No more straining my eyes β this app lets me 'read' with my ears! Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is impressive. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
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