This manifesto in the shape of a book is written by digital theorist Douglas Rushkoff. It’s a brilliant appraisal of today’s digital revolution – including social media and artificial intelligence - and how we’re helping them to shape us.
The principle of this book of 100 statements is the argument that we are essentially social creatures (hence the title). We’re at our best and do our best when we work collectively and not as individuals. In Rushkoff’s words, “Being social may be the whole point.”
As we’ve seen through the pandemic, with communities pulling together we humans are fundamentally social creatures. However, capitalism, which threads throughout this book, works best when we compete with one another. Rushkoff explores how the internet, right from the start was meant as a force for good but, he argues, with corporations brandishing power through and across it, it’s become the basis of an industry with the main purpose of extracting our personal data.
We have set up algorithms designed to replace us by watching and honing ordinary tasks, that will eventually make us redundant. When this happens, “people are at best an asset to be exploited, and, at worst a cost to be endured. Everything is optimised for capital until it runs out of a world to consume.”
Sound depressing? Well, it’s definitely not. From the 100 points numbered in the book, each differing in length, I learned a great deal across a whole range of topics, from education, history, religion and of course, technology. It’s a very easy read and packed with witty, thought-provoking insights.
I’m a big fan of manifestos (you can read mine here) so this was always going to be a good read for me. Best of all, it will make you think.