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.
Wings
I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. ListenBookโs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
King Bass
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration โ it's like flipping through pages. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features โ from chapters to playback controls. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Metal Aphrodite
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. ๐๏ธ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures โ this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. โ๏ธ๐ Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Toy Town
Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. ListenBookโs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
MindfulMingle
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! ๐ถ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! ๐ถ๐ Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Hella Fella
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in โ all thanks to this app. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life.
Zero Corn
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it! The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied.
Daisy Stick
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Bridge Whip
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app โ it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Unseen
Audiobook joy made simple โ this app's ease of use is commendable. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. ๐ฑ๐
Berlin Kamikaze
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device.
Prone
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 โ it shows their dedication to excellence. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. Finally, an app that supports a wide range of audio formats! It's a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Cool Law Topping
This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. I'm impressed by the app's performance โ it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
Cabbie
Effortless and enriching โ that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. ๐ฑ๐ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Treasure Devil
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
Mint Ness
This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. ๐ฑ๐ No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. ๐๐ฑ Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
AlertXis
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
Indestructible Potato
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. ๐๏ธ๐ง Escaping to paradise with a beach read โ this app is my vacation in audio form! ๐๏ธ๐ Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs.
Stacker of Wheat
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. 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.
Cujo
The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
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