What do you think?
Rate this book
Dot Complicated: Untangling Our Wired Lives
With Dot Complicated: Untangling Our Wired Lives, new media pioneer Randi Zuckerberg offers an entertaining and essential guide to understanding how technology and social media influence and inform our lives online and off.
Zuckerberg has been on the frontline of the social media movement since Facebook’s early days and her following six years as a marketing executive for the company. Her part memoir, part how-to manual addresses issues of privacy, online presence, networking, etiquette, and the future of social change.
Zuckerberg has been on the frontline of the social media movement since Facebook’s early days and her following six years as a marketing executive for the company. Her part memoir, part how-to manual addresses issues of privacy, online presence, networking, etiquette, and the future of social change.
Audiobook
First published October 15, 2013
64 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
About the author
Randi Zuckerberg
4 books29 followersRandi Zuckerberg is the founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media, a digital and traditional media and production company, and Editor-in-Chief of Dot Complicated, an online community helping us navigate and “untangle” our wired, wonderful lives.
In November of 2013, Randi released her first books with HarperCollins, an adult non-fiction book also titled Dot Complicated, which addresses the multifaceted complications of our socially transparent world, and a children’s picture book, titled Dot.
As an early marketing executive at Facebook, Randi created and ran the social media pioneer’s marketing programs. She led the company’s U.S. election and international politics strategy and created Facebook’s live streaming initiatives during the 2008 Presidential Inauguration. Randi was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2011 for her innovative coverage of the 2010 mid-term elections that integrated online and TV coverage in unique formats.
Since starting Zuckerberg Media, Randi has produced shows and digital content for BeachMint, the Clinton Global Initiative, Cirque du Soleil, the United Nations, Bravo and Conde Nast, with many other projects in the works.
Randi has appeared on CNN, Good Morning America, the Today show, Bloomberg News, and ABC’s World News. She was also a correspondent for the 2011 Golden Globe Awards and the World Economic Forum in Davos. Randi was recently appointed to the United Nations Global Entrepreneurs Council and the World Economic Forum’s Global Council on Social Media.
Randi holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University and resides in Palo Alto with her husband Brent Tworetzky and their son Asher.
In November of 2013, Randi released her first books with HarperCollins, an adult non-fiction book also titled Dot Complicated, which addresses the multifaceted complications of our socially transparent world, and a children’s picture book, titled Dot.
As an early marketing executive at Facebook, Randi created and ran the social media pioneer’s marketing programs. She led the company’s U.S. election and international politics strategy and created Facebook’s live streaming initiatives during the 2008 Presidential Inauguration. Randi was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2011 for her innovative coverage of the 2010 mid-term elections that integrated online and TV coverage in unique formats.
Since starting Zuckerberg Media, Randi has produced shows and digital content for BeachMint, the Clinton Global Initiative, Cirque du Soleil, the United Nations, Bravo and Conde Nast, with many other projects in the works.
Randi has appeared on CNN, Good Morning America, the Today show, Bloomberg News, and ABC’s World News. She was also a correspondent for the 2011 Golden Globe Awards and the World Economic Forum in Davos. Randi was recently appointed to the United Nations Global Entrepreneurs Council and the World Economic Forum’s Global Council on Social Media.
Randi holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University and resides in Palo Alto with her husband Brent Tworetzky and their son Asher.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
April 17, 2014
Interesting to read opinions from first-hand experience. Although I'm not sure I agree with all of her conclusions regarding how much to share on social media, I certainly identified with her in parts of the book. You can send one single tweet and suddenly have more attention given to it that you ever expected. Same with Facebook. Zuckerberg gives encouragement to keep sharing, to be moderate, to trust your audience, to be authentic, and to mix work and personal. The book is worth reading just for the context of online development and the power it has. Could have gone a little deeper and shared more statistics rather than mostly personal anecdotes, but still good. Made me think I should go off of my face-book hiatus and even though I get overwhelmed with it sometimes, figure out how to be consistent online. In fact she shares that others trust you more when they see a profile because you are more relatable. Social media isn't going anywhere--good encouragement to have a voice and stay the course. Also I appreciated her details of how a non profit can benefit from proper social media use and should focus on providing great content rather than amassing a followership. Well done.
July 15, 2014
This is a super-easy read with breezy content. It could have been so much more. Although it is sub-titled, "Untangling Our Wired Lives", it is largely the story of Facebook and Randi's contribution to FB with too much of the story of tech's role in her personal life. Randi spends far too much space talking about her life in a book that is supposed to be about how we all can use tech to our advantage without letting it overtake our lives. While she does offer many thoughts on how we should thoughtfully use tech in our daily lives, most of her contributions are obvious. As I was reading I kept thinking that she was preaching to the choir. Anyone reading this book is looking for inventive ways to incorporate tech in their daily lives without losing touch with the people around them. She offers the same meme-ready statements that you can find on a quick Pinterest search of "tech-life balance".
It is not that Dot Complicated is poorly written or boring, it is just too personal for what it purports to be. It is not about "Our" tech lives, it is about Randi's tech life. She either starts a tech conversation with a personal anecdote or ends it with one. There is little balance. This is closer to an autobiography than a "how to" book on maintaining a good tech-life balance between in your life.
It is not that Dot Complicated is poorly written or boring, it is just too personal for what it purports to be. It is not about "Our" tech lives, it is about Randi's tech life. She either starts a tech conversation with a personal anecdote or ends it with one. There is little balance. This is closer to an autobiography than a "how to" book on maintaining a good tech-life balance between in your life.
November 22, 2013
I wrote a review of this book for work:
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/...
The short version is I thought it was ironic that Zuckerberg's solutions to every problem of the digital world fit perfectly into Facebook's business model. It was also not very interesting.
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/...
The short version is I thought it was ironic that Zuckerberg's solutions to every problem of the digital world fit perfectly into Facebook's business model. It was also not very interesting.
December 3, 2021
Honestly, buku ini bagus. Anda Patut baca. Points dia banyak yang spot on dan nasihat serta pandangan dia bernas. Walaupun begitu....
Akhirnya selesai. Saya fikir, penulis ini begitu bijak menyusun cerita, membentangkan pandangan serta berkongsi pengalaman dengan tujuan memberi tahu bahawa life tech balance itu penting dan luahan individu boleh menjadi luahan dunia menggunakan sosial media. Saya fikir, betapa ianya sesuatu ironi bahawa beliau langsung tidak menyebut sepatah pun perkataan Muslim atau Palestine sedangkan beratus-ratus benda lain disebut termasuk Arab spring, lelaki Israel mahukan peace dengan lelaki Iran, kahwin Sama janina, orang berjoget, tornado, peristiwa menembak di sekolah dan banyak lagi. Iyalah, kalau so Perezzz pinkie meat jadi idol nya, dan bumi rakyat teraniaya yang dijarah dijadikan negara syok sendiri dipuja, memang lah. Memanglah dia sebangsa, tapi tak acilaaa. Dengan ayat penulis "intrinsic human instinct". "In the end, anything that speaks to universal struggles of hope or loss—struggles to survive, to get an education, or to live a good life, free from fear, abuse, and suffering—has the potential to find a global audience." Hairan. Hashtag #savepalestine dan yang satu makna dengannya, hanya kurang 2juta di FB. Saya baca tadi ada yang menulis, jangan guna hashtag benci si Lakhnatullah tu, nanti geng geng dia yang mengawal segala benda di dunia ni akan sekat. Ada cara bijak jika nak dorong orang baca luahan dan perkongsian tentang keganasan Si Lakhnatullah. Kata si penulis lagi, sepatutnya tiada sekatan pada content, tapi semua orang tahu mereka yang banyak menyekat ikut suka hati tembolok dia saja. #letschangetheworld? Lawak lah.
Apapun, anaknya diberi nama Asher, macam senada dengan Ashton Kusher kan?
Mari doakan orang kita ada yang nanti buat FB kita sendiri, yang kita sendiri boleh tentukan hala tujunya. Biar kita yang berkuasa buat sekatan terhadap sang pengganas yang memang jelas pengganas, dan kita yang bebas menbentang pendapat dan terbitkan berita yang boleh menyelamatkan ummah.
Akhirnya selesai. Saya fikir, penulis ini begitu bijak menyusun cerita, membentangkan pandangan serta berkongsi pengalaman dengan tujuan memberi tahu bahawa life tech balance itu penting dan luahan individu boleh menjadi luahan dunia menggunakan sosial media. Saya fikir, betapa ianya sesuatu ironi bahawa beliau langsung tidak menyebut sepatah pun perkataan Muslim atau Palestine sedangkan beratus-ratus benda lain disebut termasuk Arab spring, lelaki Israel mahukan peace dengan lelaki Iran, kahwin Sama janina, orang berjoget, tornado, peristiwa menembak di sekolah dan banyak lagi. Iyalah, kalau so Perezzz pinkie meat jadi idol nya, dan bumi rakyat teraniaya yang dijarah dijadikan negara syok sendiri dipuja, memang lah. Memanglah dia sebangsa, tapi tak acilaaa. Dengan ayat penulis "intrinsic human instinct". "In the end, anything that speaks to universal struggles of hope or loss—struggles to survive, to get an education, or to live a good life, free from fear, abuse, and suffering—has the potential to find a global audience." Hairan. Hashtag #savepalestine dan yang satu makna dengannya, hanya kurang 2juta di FB. Saya baca tadi ada yang menulis, jangan guna hashtag benci si Lakhnatullah tu, nanti geng geng dia yang mengawal segala benda di dunia ni akan sekat. Ada cara bijak jika nak dorong orang baca luahan dan perkongsian tentang keganasan Si Lakhnatullah. Kata si penulis lagi, sepatutnya tiada sekatan pada content, tapi semua orang tahu mereka yang banyak menyekat ikut suka hati tembolok dia saja. #letschangetheworld? Lawak lah.
Apapun, anaknya diberi nama Asher, macam senada dengan Ashton Kusher kan?
Mari doakan orang kita ada yang nanti buat FB kita sendiri, yang kita sendiri boleh tentukan hala tujunya. Biar kita yang berkuasa buat sekatan terhadap sang pengganas yang memang jelas pengganas, dan kita yang bebas menbentang pendapat dan terbitkan berita yang boleh menyelamatkan ummah.
August 21, 2014
This book was poorly named (marketed). It is much more of a biography and technology book then an "untangling" book. There are some good points about tech/life balance, but the majority of the book is Randi's life and gushing stories about how technology is great for fundraising, charity, marketing, etc. A few stories hit on the tech/life balance, but at the end of each chapter there is a "oh yeah, tech/life balance" recap which seems poorly integrated. Some interesting stories, but nothing super-compelling. There is also an element of this book which is just an "ad" for Randi's consulting company (and only in the end do we realize the MC Hammer mentions through the book are because Randi & Hammer are business partners).
April 2, 2014
This is a really badly written book for a book that purportedly is about technology but comes across as some faux biography/memoir which is pretty much promoting the author's other endeavor, her website/blog.
And no I don't care about her family name.
It's just bad.
And no I don't care about her family name.
It's just bad.
July 25, 2020
“Dot Complicated” serves a dual purpose of providing the backstory on how Facebook began as well as how to create a better tech-life balance among ourselves, in romantic relationships, family, career, and in the community.
As someone who has had a Facebook account since 2005, (back when you had to have a college email address to create an account,) I’ve always wanted to learn the inner workings of Facebook and how they made the transition from a platform exclusively for college students to a social media platform used by people of all ages.
The first three chapters of the book gives a first had account of her upbringing and educational journey as well as her professional experience. While the other chapters also give insight into her life, at the end of chapter four, she begins to provide tips of how to achieve a tech-life balance.
As someone whose job is a digital services librarian, I find it hard to maintain a tech-life balance and sometimes the line blurs between work and personal life. on The tips given by Zuckerberg are helpful as a starting point for engaging in social media and a I would also suggest that any user of social media do their research and be mindful when using social media and interacting with others online.
As someone who has had a Facebook account since 2005, (back when you had to have a college email address to create an account,) I’ve always wanted to learn the inner workings of Facebook and how they made the transition from a platform exclusively for college students to a social media platform used by people of all ages.
The first three chapters of the book gives a first had account of her upbringing and educational journey as well as her professional experience. While the other chapters also give insight into her life, at the end of chapter four, she begins to provide tips of how to achieve a tech-life balance.
As someone whose job is a digital services librarian, I find it hard to maintain a tech-life balance and sometimes the line blurs between work and personal life. on The tips given by Zuckerberg are helpful as a starting point for engaging in social media and a I would also suggest that any user of social media do their research and be mindful when using social media and interacting with others online.
January 22, 2023
Kinda painful. She starts out sounding like she's got some message, but ultimately it's at least half wordy CV. She comes across as quite pleased with herself without acknowledging privilege.
While she seemingly advocates for tech life balance, she also advocates for people to post more baby pictures so she can feel better about how many she posts. There's some interesting data drops, but despite her resume I'm not convinced she's the expert on the topic I'd want to take advice from. "I just started a production company! Time to post a baby photo!" What?
The only reason I finished reading it is because Goodreads doesn't handle DNF shelving well. She dreams of transparency on the internet, everyone going by real names with the hypothesis this would stop trolling. And oh by the way, I know this meme!
While she seemingly advocates for tech life balance, she also advocates for people to post more baby pictures so she can feel better about how many she posts. There's some interesting data drops, but despite her resume I'm not convinced she's the expert on the topic I'd want to take advice from. "I just started a production company! Time to post a baby photo!" What?
The only reason I finished reading it is because Goodreads doesn't handle DNF shelving well. She dreams of transparency on the internet, everyone going by real names with the hypothesis this would stop trolling. And oh by the way, I know this meme!
June 24, 2019
Just finish this book. To be honest, tt was not too bad but not interesting enough to wow me. It is quite like a big essay on how to use internet smartly nowadays to live, love, work, connect with the world and show your true identity...
Thanks to this book, I know a bit more about those early days of Facebook through the eyes of not only the founder's sister but also an early employee at Facebook. She led major marketing initiatives in the company’s formative years, and has gone on to launch Zuckerberg Media, with the mission of creating media content that puts intelligent, tech-savvy, entrepreneurial women and girls at the forefront!
Thanks to this book, I know a bit more about those early days of Facebook through the eyes of not only the founder's sister but also an early employee at Facebook. She led major marketing initiatives in the company’s formative years, and has gone on to launch Zuckerberg Media, with the mission of creating media content that puts intelligent, tech-savvy, entrepreneurial women and girls at the forefront!
September 3, 2019
Reviewing this book lower than a 5 star is not giving Randi Zuckerberg the accolades she deserves. She has pretty much hit the nail on the head of the technology industry about being "authentic," the power of storytelling, and sometimes it's hard to hear the truth... I wish I would have read this book a long time ago. I like her style of writing; it's very straight & narrow and FUNNY. A HUGE aspect of the book that I agree with; BE WHO YOU ARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA and OFF SOCIAL MEDIA. Some People go to a physical church, and some people are just more spiritual finding themselves under a tree not going to a physical church...others could make a fortune with a swear jar it doesn't mean they are wrong just a mouth of a "?"...lol, It's all in how YOU and SOCIAL MEDIA perceive YOU...so, you are better off just being your "authentic" SELF. What the WORLD needs to catch up to is that YOU should never judge a book by the cover. Never investigate topographically it won't lead you anywhere but down; notice that's a negative. It could be the BEST, most FANTASTIC book you have ever read; positives only go up...
October 24, 2017
Initially, at the start of listening to this book, I thought who cares about Randi Zuckerberg and why did I pick up this book to read. The only reason I really chose to read this book (actually listen to it) was that I needed to read a book from an author with a "Z" name. But as I got further into the book, I actually found it to be somewhat interesting and informative. It's not a book, though, that will stick with me, but it served its purpose and was reasonably interesting.
May 27, 2017
Best line in the book: "You need control over your devices instead of letting them control you. Technology is a tool, and whether it creates order or chaos in your life depends on how you use it. The technology itself is neutral. It’s up to you to use it in a way that enhances your life and doesn’t detract from it.”
August 10, 2019
Expected something related to the actual title of this book, but it was about Randi, Mark Zuckerberg’s sister experience in Facebook. Randi gave the illusion that she has literary wrote a self help book, but it’s more of a Twitter threads of Me , Me, and only Me.
Randi wouldn’t have been given this opportunity if she is Mark’s sister!
Randi wouldn’t have been given this opportunity if she is Mark’s sister!
March 6, 2022
The lessons from this book still hold, ten years later. I was interested in reading this upon entering the Web3 space and being in Twitter spaces regularly with the author. So many lessons from Web2 apply to Web3 & especially to NFTs. I captured some relevant quotes from the book in this Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/saltspoon/status/...
October 23, 2017
An excellent guide to use of social media plus a lot of autobiography. One major point made is that we are already living in a changed world, and have a global network that is pretty transparent for better or worse. Let's use it for the better.
February 8, 2020
In my opinion, it's a boring book. I completed reading the first chapter then tried to finish the second one but i couldn't, i skipped the first four chapters and jumped into the fifth one. I found it not interesting at all so i decided to drop it.
December 24, 2017
Not really wha I expected and kind of boring. Really name-droppy too.
August 3, 2017
It could be interesting to know the data/algorithm of marketing trends rather than her daily stories.In my opinion, she should title this book as her Biography book, dont u think?
August 13, 2017
Rehash of issues relating to how technology controls our lives with no real solutions offered, but well enough written to keep me engaged.
December 5, 2017
A MUST read book for all those who are looking to disconnect to reconnect with their lives.
August 19, 2018
Głos Babilonu w Twoim domu. Wszystko fe poza na wskroś etycznym buniem. Ponadto czasem propaganda potrafi porywać - ta niekoniecznie. No słabo. Raczej nie polecam. Żanetka Leta.
June 1, 2019
I enjoyed Randi's prospective and learning about the early days of Facebook. Looking forward to reading Pick 3.
April 30, 2020
Very interesting to hear about her perspective of the inner workings of Facebook. But as it discusses the digital world and was written a while ago unfortunately it hasn’t aged well
July 31, 2021
The book made me think about many things that are relevant to young adult life. I really enjoyed it.
August 21, 2019
A front row seat to Facebook Saga !!
December 3, 2013
Dot Complicated is part memoir and part self-help book, aiming to use stories from real life to help readers navigate social challenges in the online world.
This mediocre book is the first literary outing for U.S. entrepreneur Randi Zuckerberg, 31, who worked for six years as a marketing executive at Facebook, the social media empire founded by her younger brother, Mark, before leaving to start her own company.
She begins with a lengthy autobiographical section, followed by chapters on specific topics, such as friends, love and career. Each chapter offers her observations on the influence of new technology, peppered with vignettes from average people.
When she's not dropping the names of celebrities she has met, Zuckerberg provides lots of anecdotes from her own happily domesticated life -- she is married to her college sweetheart and has a young son -- often in tedious detail. In contrast, her stories about other people, sometimes friends, sometimes strangers, are in the third-person, usually in a single paragraph.
It's a curiously lost opportunity for Zuckerberg to fail to include any commentary from the actual subjects of these sketches or from the researchers whose studies she briefly cites; their voices could have provided a welcome breather from Zuckerberg's personal narrative.
While Dot Complicated spends a lot of time recounting tech-related situations Zuckerberg has encountered, it provides little practical advice to help readers manage their own online lives.
An example: Before the Internet, Zuckerberg writes, information was either public, private or personal -- the last including "things you might tell your friends but you probably wouldn't share with strangers."
Online, she argues, there is no longer a category of personal information; while you might post a picture to a select audience of close friends, you then lose control of its distribution since any member of that group could share the photo more widely.
"This whole situation needs to be fixed," she writes. "We need to find a way to bring back personal information online."
However, she's short on solutions. "Be careful who you choose as your friends," she advises. "Repost unto others as you would have them repost unto you."
The practical suggestions Zuckerberg does present tend to fall into the "well, duh" grade of advice ("Don't be a jerk" or "Protect your privacy"), and even the limited amount on offer is often conflicting.
For example, she rolls her eyes about couples on Facebook who are "constantly posting lovey-dovey photos," or people who record concerts on their smartphones. "Put the phone away," she intones. "The world does not need another hashtagged sunset."
Pages later, though, she shares an epiphany reached when colleagues admonished her for filling their Facebook timelines with too many pictures of her infant son: "The answer isn't fewer baby pictures; it's more baby pictures," she writes. "It's not that I should post less; it's that everyone else should post more."
In the end, the reader is left with many unanswered questions. Should mom Instagram a cute photo of Junior playing? Or put the phone down and enjoy the moment? Or give the phone to Junior to improve his tech skills? And how could that photo affect Junior's future job prospects?
Readers looking for general rules of thumb to apply to their own online social lives will be disappointed.
Zuckerberg notes that people can be cruel on the Internet -- now there's a revelation -- but she advises readers to put their "big-girl pants on" and "embrace the haters." Since attention is currency in the new online world order, even the attention of haters is worth "celebrating."
"Love me, hate me, just don't forget me," she writes. Unfortunately for Zuckerberg, the book is largely forgettable.
Review first published as "Social Networking: Facebook founder's big sister has basic advice for life online" in the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 9, 2013, page G7. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts...
This mediocre book is the first literary outing for U.S. entrepreneur Randi Zuckerberg, 31, who worked for six years as a marketing executive at Facebook, the social media empire founded by her younger brother, Mark, before leaving to start her own company.
She begins with a lengthy autobiographical section, followed by chapters on specific topics, such as friends, love and career. Each chapter offers her observations on the influence of new technology, peppered with vignettes from average people.
When she's not dropping the names of celebrities she has met, Zuckerberg provides lots of anecdotes from her own happily domesticated life -- she is married to her college sweetheart and has a young son -- often in tedious detail. In contrast, her stories about other people, sometimes friends, sometimes strangers, are in the third-person, usually in a single paragraph.
It's a curiously lost opportunity for Zuckerberg to fail to include any commentary from the actual subjects of these sketches or from the researchers whose studies she briefly cites; their voices could have provided a welcome breather from Zuckerberg's personal narrative.
While Dot Complicated spends a lot of time recounting tech-related situations Zuckerberg has encountered, it provides little practical advice to help readers manage their own online lives.
An example: Before the Internet, Zuckerberg writes, information was either public, private or personal -- the last including "things you might tell your friends but you probably wouldn't share with strangers."
Online, she argues, there is no longer a category of personal information; while you might post a picture to a select audience of close friends, you then lose control of its distribution since any member of that group could share the photo more widely.
"This whole situation needs to be fixed," she writes. "We need to find a way to bring back personal information online."
However, she's short on solutions. "Be careful who you choose as your friends," she advises. "Repost unto others as you would have them repost unto you."
The practical suggestions Zuckerberg does present tend to fall into the "well, duh" grade of advice ("Don't be a jerk" or "Protect your privacy"), and even the limited amount on offer is often conflicting.
For example, she rolls her eyes about couples on Facebook who are "constantly posting lovey-dovey photos," or people who record concerts on their smartphones. "Put the phone away," she intones. "The world does not need another hashtagged sunset."
Pages later, though, she shares an epiphany reached when colleagues admonished her for filling their Facebook timelines with too many pictures of her infant son: "The answer isn't fewer baby pictures; it's more baby pictures," she writes. "It's not that I should post less; it's that everyone else should post more."
In the end, the reader is left with many unanswered questions. Should mom Instagram a cute photo of Junior playing? Or put the phone down and enjoy the moment? Or give the phone to Junior to improve his tech skills? And how could that photo affect Junior's future job prospects?
Readers looking for general rules of thumb to apply to their own online social lives will be disappointed.
Zuckerberg notes that people can be cruel on the Internet -- now there's a revelation -- but she advises readers to put their "big-girl pants on" and "embrace the haters." Since attention is currency in the new online world order, even the attention of haters is worth "celebrating."
"Love me, hate me, just don't forget me," she writes. Unfortunately for Zuckerberg, the book is largely forgettable.
Review first published as "Social Networking: Facebook founder's big sister has basic advice for life online" in the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 9, 2013, page G7. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts...
December 16, 2013
“You need control over your devices instead of letting them control you. Technology is a tool, and whether it creates order or chaos in your life depends on how you use it. The technology itself is neutral. It’s up to you to use it in a way that enhances your life and doesn’t detract from it.”
Randi Zuckerberg's "Dot Complicated" provides insightful advice about technology and its impact on children and families, dating and romantic relationships, work and on one's personal identity. I found it helpful to read how one can achieve a "Tech-Life Balance" through the lens of Randi's personal experiences - from her youth in Dobbs Ferry, New York to her college experiences at Harvard, from her early work experiences at Ogilvy (and Facebook with younger brother Mark), to her own company, Zuckerberg Media (zuckerbergmedia.com) - and with family in-between.
The chapters of "Dot Complicated" include not only personal reflections and experiences, but helpful "Tips for Achieving Tech-Life Balance." These highlights make it easy to refresh one's thoughts later on.
Some who have not yet read the book might expect Randi to be obsessed with "tech," but she spends a great deal of time talking about the importance of personal relationships and in-person interactions. “If attention, scarce as ever, is a sort of currency today, then we might as well spend it cultivating meaningful experiences in our lives and with our friends online as we would offline.”
Having said that, I have to agree with Randi, “Social media skills are going to become necessary in the new job marketplace. Employers are going to want to hire people who know how to use social media, rather than those who ignore it or are bad at it or do not appreciate its power.” Best not to fall behind - nor to allow your children to do so.
On Carolyn's Nonprofit Blog I posted two years ago, "Gadgets Are the Root of All Evil?" The article discusses my research regarding the effect of "gadgets" on children, and how I developed a home run case statement for funding a hands-on children's zoo expansion in Dallas, Texas. I read with interest Randi's pros-and-cons about the impact of technology on young children, and was pleased we came to the same general conclusion.
"But even if it were possible to deny our children access to technology, why should we? When technology is used the right way by children, it makes a positive difference in their lives. This doesn't mean technology should replace ordinary face-to-face interactions or any number of the critical learning experiences of growing up. Technology provides a powerful supporting role, enhancing those educational and developmental experiences by fostering creativity and intellectual curiosity."
On another precautionary note, I have friends of every imaginable political and religious persuasion. They need to take note of Randi's experiences when working with Facebook during the 2008 political conventions (Facebook tracked both Democratic and Republican conventions): “... the Republican convention was somber from the start … there was also just a general apathy toward Facebook, social media, and technology. People didn’t want to hear about what we had to offer and weren’t interested in making use of the tools and resources at their disposal.” And to their great peril, I might add.
Again, we must keep in mind the tools of technology are exactly that, "tools – meant to make life better, not worse.” I recommend this book highly.
Randi Zuckerberg's "Dot Complicated" provides insightful advice about technology and its impact on children and families, dating and romantic relationships, work and on one's personal identity. I found it helpful to read how one can achieve a "Tech-Life Balance" through the lens of Randi's personal experiences - from her youth in Dobbs Ferry, New York to her college experiences at Harvard, from her early work experiences at Ogilvy (and Facebook with younger brother Mark), to her own company, Zuckerberg Media (zuckerbergmedia.com) - and with family in-between.
The chapters of "Dot Complicated" include not only personal reflections and experiences, but helpful "Tips for Achieving Tech-Life Balance." These highlights make it easy to refresh one's thoughts later on.
Some who have not yet read the book might expect Randi to be obsessed with "tech," but she spends a great deal of time talking about the importance of personal relationships and in-person interactions. “If attention, scarce as ever, is a sort of currency today, then we might as well spend it cultivating meaningful experiences in our lives and with our friends online as we would offline.”
Having said that, I have to agree with Randi, “Social media skills are going to become necessary in the new job marketplace. Employers are going to want to hire people who know how to use social media, rather than those who ignore it or are bad at it or do not appreciate its power.” Best not to fall behind - nor to allow your children to do so.
On Carolyn's Nonprofit Blog I posted two years ago, "Gadgets Are the Root of All Evil?" The article discusses my research regarding the effect of "gadgets" on children, and how I developed a home run case statement for funding a hands-on children's zoo expansion in Dallas, Texas. I read with interest Randi's pros-and-cons about the impact of technology on young children, and was pleased we came to the same general conclusion.
"But even if it were possible to deny our children access to technology, why should we? When technology is used the right way by children, it makes a positive difference in their lives. This doesn't mean technology should replace ordinary face-to-face interactions or any number of the critical learning experiences of growing up. Technology provides a powerful supporting role, enhancing those educational and developmental experiences by fostering creativity and intellectual curiosity."
On another precautionary note, I have friends of every imaginable political and religious persuasion. They need to take note of Randi's experiences when working with Facebook during the 2008 political conventions (Facebook tracked both Democratic and Republican conventions): “... the Republican convention was somber from the start … there was also just a general apathy toward Facebook, social media, and technology. People didn’t want to hear about what we had to offer and weren’t interested in making use of the tools and resources at their disposal.” And to their great peril, I might add.
Again, we must keep in mind the tools of technology are exactly that, "tools – meant to make life better, not worse.” I recommend this book highly.
January 18, 2014
If I could give 3 1/2 stars, that'd be a more accurate rating!
Mark Zuckerberg's sister is an author and media mogul in her own right. This is her first adult book (she's also published a children's book called Dot). The introductory (and mostly autobiographical) part of Dot Complicated was a little bland (and sometimes melodramatic), but as Zuckerberg moves onto Internet etiquette and commentary on our digital age, the book picks up speed. It's easy to read and relevant to us all. Despite the fact that Zuckerberg repeats over and over again that this book is for US, it seems a little self-centered at times.
Zuckerberg's goal to help people utilize and take advantage of our new technologies is a noble one, but I feel like it's a little overblown: "When explained properly, in a relatable, approachable way, it [tech] can be amazing and life changing." It's almost as if 'tech' is a new religion, promising a new world of redemption and self-control. Nevertheless, the book is full of insightful anecdotes and lessons: "I reached a point when rather than owning a computer, a phone, and a tablet, those devices were owning me...I had forgotten how to just unplug and enjoy the company of those around me. I had forgotten how to be present in the moment."
Honestly, I haven't thought too much about online etiquette, whether I should be posting what I'm posting, or how what I post affects others. Perhaps I should.
Some quotes that stuck out to me:
"A world where every object is a screen means a world of endless access to information, but it also means a world where we risk jeopardizing our relationships with loved ones if we don't look up from that screen from time to time."
"...FOMO, which stands for 'fear of missing out.' FOMO refers to the feelings of jealousy and inadequacy experienced upon seeing the impossibly awesome lives of your friends."
"Technology has completely changed all aspects of dating and romantic relationships. Countless apps and websites help people find potential mates to consider. Texting, video chatting, and social networks have created a whole new set of rules for initial courting and the early stages of relationships."
"Giving everyone a megaphone tends to create a society that favors the loud and self-absorbed. Just because a lot of people are talking all at once doesn't mean anything valuable is being said."
I received this book from a Good Reads giveaway.
Mark Zuckerberg's sister is an author and media mogul in her own right. This is her first adult book (she's also published a children's book called Dot). The introductory (and mostly autobiographical) part of Dot Complicated was a little bland (and sometimes melodramatic), but as Zuckerberg moves onto Internet etiquette and commentary on our digital age, the book picks up speed. It's easy to read and relevant to us all. Despite the fact that Zuckerberg repeats over and over again that this book is for US, it seems a little self-centered at times.
Zuckerberg's goal to help people utilize and take advantage of our new technologies is a noble one, but I feel like it's a little overblown: "When explained properly, in a relatable, approachable way, it [tech] can be amazing and life changing." It's almost as if 'tech' is a new religion, promising a new world of redemption and self-control. Nevertheless, the book is full of insightful anecdotes and lessons: "I reached a point when rather than owning a computer, a phone, and a tablet, those devices were owning me...I had forgotten how to just unplug and enjoy the company of those around me. I had forgotten how to be present in the moment."
Honestly, I haven't thought too much about online etiquette, whether I should be posting what I'm posting, or how what I post affects others. Perhaps I should.
Some quotes that stuck out to me:
"A world where every object is a screen means a world of endless access to information, but it also means a world where we risk jeopardizing our relationships with loved ones if we don't look up from that screen from time to time."
"...FOMO, which stands for 'fear of missing out.' FOMO refers to the feelings of jealousy and inadequacy experienced upon seeing the impossibly awesome lives of your friends."
"Technology has completely changed all aspects of dating and romantic relationships. Countless apps and websites help people find potential mates to consider. Texting, video chatting, and social networks have created a whole new set of rules for initial courting and the early stages of relationships."
"Giving everyone a megaphone tends to create a society that favors the loud and self-absorbed. Just because a lot of people are talking all at once doesn't mean anything valuable is being said."
I received this book from a Good Reads giveaway.
January 16, 2014
When she's good, she's very very good, and when she's bad she's all about Randi Zuckerberg--39 "I, me, myself" on one early page tells the tale; word frequency would tell more. But when she talks about the tunnel vision Silicon Valleyites get into, or how tech can be explained in a way we plebeians can get, and when it is done in an approachable way how it can be life-changing (she adds "amazing" which says nothing, alas), or why she thinks identity, humanity and etiquette are so crucial, or how the gray zone of privacy got blown away --when she talked about those things I took notice.
Frustrated that I never found and explanation for the title--I still do not know what "dot complicated" means....what is the "dot" --what did I miss? Loved the historical glance--for I was an early user who named myself anonymously and am stuck with those while real names are the norm now and how Facebook was on this from the start--and how her child "had come to realize that content always flows from screens" and is flummoxed when it doesn't, as in a framed photo. But then comes an overly simplistic and disappointing sidebar of advice for tech-life balance--surely she has thought this through a little more.
More to say on this book, as I get through it.......the beginning was mostly disappointing--I wanted to know what it felt like to be at Facebook, a "you are there" story, rather than, "look at how tired I was, or how amazing I was..."
And Randi delivers--not in any steady way, but my book bristled with sticky tags for great insights--as she hits her stride we do find out what it was really like at Facebook, how things happened--I learned that a feature film was shot on a smartphone, that Facebook Stories is a wonderful Page, and what "Dunbar's number" is. I learned a lot more--but you gotta read the book to get it all!
Over and over I found myself saying, "Yep," pleased that my experience was validated--and often seeing the need for balance, etiquette, and thinking outside the box. Her ways of coping with the sharing world, and the argument for authenticity impressed me mightily, but it was the end where she showed that she really made Facebook a community project, really included real and ordinary users in PR, that won me over completely.
I am so glad I did not give up on this book after the first 50 pages!
Frustrated that I never found and explanation for the title--I still do not know what "dot complicated" means....what is the "dot" --what did I miss? Loved the historical glance--for I was an early user who named myself anonymously and am stuck with those while real names are the norm now and how Facebook was on this from the start--and how her child "had come to realize that content always flows from screens" and is flummoxed when it doesn't, as in a framed photo. But then comes an overly simplistic and disappointing sidebar of advice for tech-life balance--surely she has thought this through a little more.
More to say on this book, as I get through it.......the beginning was mostly disappointing--I wanted to know what it felt like to be at Facebook, a "you are there" story, rather than, "look at how tired I was, or how amazing I was..."
And Randi delivers--not in any steady way, but my book bristled with sticky tags for great insights--as she hits her stride we do find out what it was really like at Facebook, how things happened--I learned that a feature film was shot on a smartphone, that Facebook Stories is a wonderful Page, and what "Dunbar's number" is. I learned a lot more--but you gotta read the book to get it all!
Over and over I found myself saying, "Yep," pleased that my experience was validated--and often seeing the need for balance, etiquette, and thinking outside the box. Her ways of coping with the sharing world, and the argument for authenticity impressed me mightily, but it was the end where she showed that she really made Facebook a community project, really included real and ordinary users in PR, that won me over completely.
I am so glad I did not give up on this book after the first 50 pages!
April 1, 2014
Randi Zuckerberg (sister to famous Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg) examines how technology and social media have changed our lifes for the better but also made them more complicated.
Dot complicated mostly strays away from sharing controversial family details and stories of Mark (look to the movie Social Network to see Mark and his early years creating Facebook in a Harvard Dormroom)--although I did find out interesting to me that Zuckerberg's Dad is a dentist.
Zuckerberg is an engaging author who has traveled the world promoting Facebook and shares her opinions on several topics:
-Zuckerberg is all in favor of intertwining the social fabric of your work life and your home life. "Friend" your boss she proclaims. He or she will know you better and you will have a stronger work environment.
-Zuckerberg promised not to be that new Mom that shared her babies' every yawn, step, and snotty face picture online--but she collapsed. She took some heat from her professional colleagues that her online personna was diminished. Zuckerberg supports representing yourself as you are online.
-Zuckerberg has little concern for privacy. She shares pictures and tags frequently. She does want some restraint with pictures of children that could embarass them later.
-Zuckerbeg seems to oppose the Academy of Pediatrics stance against small children learning how to swipe on tablets and smart phones--"You don't want your child to be the last one to learn this technology..it's here to stay."
Randi Zuckerberg of course is an advocate for Social Media and goes on to share how Facebook has made a difference in organizing protests in Cairo at Tahir Square, helped raise $700,000 dollars for a school bus driver who was picked-on, and helped bring awareness to the atrocities of Joseph Kony against children in the DRC and Uganda.
4 stars. The Zuckerberg's clearly are a fascinating and talented family. I wonder if Dr. Zuckerberg still drills on teeth. But I disagree profoundly with making your work life and personal life to cozy!
Dot complicated mostly strays away from sharing controversial family details and stories of Mark (look to the movie Social Network to see Mark and his early years creating Facebook in a Harvard Dormroom)--although I did find out interesting to me that Zuckerberg's Dad is a dentist.
Zuckerberg is an engaging author who has traveled the world promoting Facebook and shares her opinions on several topics:
-Zuckerberg is all in favor of intertwining the social fabric of your work life and your home life. "Friend" your boss she proclaims. He or she will know you better and you will have a stronger work environment.
-Zuckerberg promised not to be that new Mom that shared her babies' every yawn, step, and snotty face picture online--but she collapsed. She took some heat from her professional colleagues that her online personna was diminished. Zuckerberg supports representing yourself as you are online.
-Zuckerberg has little concern for privacy. She shares pictures and tags frequently. She does want some restraint with pictures of children that could embarass them later.
-Zuckerbeg seems to oppose the Academy of Pediatrics stance against small children learning how to swipe on tablets and smart phones--"You don't want your child to be the last one to learn this technology..it's here to stay."
Randi Zuckerberg of course is an advocate for Social Media and goes on to share how Facebook has made a difference in organizing protests in Cairo at Tahir Square, helped raise $700,000 dollars for a school bus driver who was picked-on, and helped bring awareness to the atrocities of Joseph Kony against children in the DRC and Uganda.
4 stars. The Zuckerberg's clearly are a fascinating and talented family. I wonder if Dr. Zuckerberg still drills on teeth. But I disagree profoundly with making your work life and personal life to cozy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews