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Pay Attention: How the Algorithms and Media Wars Are Suppressing Truth and Rewiring Your Brain
Narrated by the author himself, in this provocative follow up to his New York Times bestselling The Echo Machine, David Pakman offers a dire warning on the cultural and technological forces that are already melting our brains and transforming the pursuit of truth into an almost impossible, even quaint activity.
Has the dystopian future of 1984 and Brave New World arrived? As Pakman forewarns in Pay Attention, we confront a very Orwellian threat of totalitarianism, as technological “advancements” have rendered us not just passive but willing participants in a Huxleyesque world where our humanity becomes swallowed by the Attention Economy. Drawing on his experience fighting in the digital trenches, Pakman illustrates how and why political news and commentary has become more fragmented, extreme, and divisive in a self-fulfilling, self-feeding media environment. His reports from the front line of the media and culture wars are beyond eye-opening,
How he rose to prominence by methodical trial and error in an ever-changing media landscapeHow a requirement for controversy means we are already losing the battle for truthHow audience capture is rewiring our brainsThe dark science behind thumbnailsWhy the Right is built for the Attention EconomyThe myth of media “independence”How the user has become the product…and why we no longer even need human creators to mine this product.The future is already here—and with AI creep, it’s only accelerating!Sure to speak to his millions of avidly engaged viewers, as well as to readers of such titles as Chris Hayes’ The Sirens’ Call, Jenny Odell’s How To Do Nothing, and Ezra Klein’s Why We’re Polarized, Pay Attention is a perfectly timed book that will show us how “the machine” works…and what we must do lest we become part of it.
Has the dystopian future of 1984 and Brave New World arrived? As Pakman forewarns in Pay Attention, we confront a very Orwellian threat of totalitarianism, as technological “advancements” have rendered us not just passive but willing participants in a Huxleyesque world where our humanity becomes swallowed by the Attention Economy. Drawing on his experience fighting in the digital trenches, Pakman illustrates how and why political news and commentary has become more fragmented, extreme, and divisive in a self-fulfilling, self-feeding media environment. His reports from the front line of the media and culture wars are beyond eye-opening,
How he rose to prominence by methodical trial and error in an ever-changing media landscapeHow a requirement for controversy means we are already losing the battle for truthHow audience capture is rewiring our brainsThe dark science behind thumbnailsWhy the Right is built for the Attention EconomyThe myth of media “independence”How the user has become the product…and why we no longer even need human creators to mine this product.The future is already here—and with AI creep, it’s only accelerating!Sure to speak to his millions of avidly engaged viewers, as well as to readers of such titles as Chris Hayes’ The Sirens’ Call, Jenny Odell’s How To Do Nothing, and Ezra Klein’s Why We’re Polarized, Pay Attention is a perfectly timed book that will show us how “the machine” works…and what we must do lest we become part of it.
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First published September 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 28, 2026
Few books have held my attention so intensely as this one. I wish I hadn't listened to it, because I would have liked to take notes in the margins and underlined pertinent paragraphs. The author writes from his own experience of content creation on Youtube, and how the algorithms tweak creators to create content that captivates. Truth is not important. Keeping the audience is. Being loud and viral is. The truth cannot keep up. The algorithms are like invisible bosses. They can change their minds and your visibility at a moment's notice and there is nothing you can do about it.
The right has harnessed the new medium much better than the left. They have sold the idea that they are trying to be silenced and any attempt at obstruction just proves the point. There is an emergency, someone is coming for you, and there is a clear enemy. The left, being keen to show the systemic problems underlying a topic, tend not to be able to transmit their views as easily. Truth is complicated, ambiguous and takes time, none of which the algorithms have time for.
I am not a content creator. However, of course I have been influenced by "likes" on instagram, FB and also here on Goodreads. Worst affected I think I was on LinkedIn, where I have accidentally gone viral a few times and where there are many creators who have "broken the code" and want to help translate the algorithm to the masses so that they can sell their products. I have mostly opted out though and after reading this book, I will be more careful about considering whether I am being used and manipulated or if I am the one using tools to my benefit. The book does not tell you to throw your phone in a lake and to stop using it. The author just wants to show the mechanics of how the system works and how it can change you. He does it well.
The scary thing of course is that AI will soon be creating content non-stop without much human involvement. That is probably my main reason for starting to to opt out. I want to participate in human conversation, not a machine driven one. I also would rather not participate in human conversation where everyone lives in their own individual fortress of "truth", screaming at each other across the barricades. We all know filter bubble, but what we're getting now is worse. "Bubble" indicates it can be burst. But we're getting fed our own world views in a way that makes actual reality difficult to perceive, and herein lies the danger.
I never downloaded Tiktok. However, I have noticed that instagram reels are doing the exact same thing, or at least, I presume it's the same. Tired and frazzled at the end of a day, I scroll through an endless amount of reels on my favorite topics - dogs, reading, running, the evils of the far right - and zone out. Gone is the instagram of old, where most of the content I shared in was created by people I had actively followed.
The author thinks we should reclaim our time. Be less predictable to the machine. Go walking or running without our devices. Read a book. A newspaper on paper. That sort of thing. I have noticed that my brain is very thankful that I these days mostly go running device free. Thus, my thought can roam and my brain can rest from the constant bombardment of input.
I will probably by a paper copy of the book and read it again, I feel it's that important.
The right has harnessed the new medium much better than the left. They have sold the idea that they are trying to be silenced and any attempt at obstruction just proves the point. There is an emergency, someone is coming for you, and there is a clear enemy. The left, being keen to show the systemic problems underlying a topic, tend not to be able to transmit their views as easily. Truth is complicated, ambiguous and takes time, none of which the algorithms have time for.
I am not a content creator. However, of course I have been influenced by "likes" on instagram, FB and also here on Goodreads. Worst affected I think I was on LinkedIn, where I have accidentally gone viral a few times and where there are many creators who have "broken the code" and want to help translate the algorithm to the masses so that they can sell their products. I have mostly opted out though and after reading this book, I will be more careful about considering whether I am being used and manipulated or if I am the one using tools to my benefit. The book does not tell you to throw your phone in a lake and to stop using it. The author just wants to show the mechanics of how the system works and how it can change you. He does it well.
The scary thing of course is that AI will soon be creating content non-stop without much human involvement. That is probably my main reason for starting to to opt out. I want to participate in human conversation, not a machine driven one. I also would rather not participate in human conversation where everyone lives in their own individual fortress of "truth", screaming at each other across the barricades. We all know filter bubble, but what we're getting now is worse. "Bubble" indicates it can be burst. But we're getting fed our own world views in a way that makes actual reality difficult to perceive, and herein lies the danger.
I never downloaded Tiktok. However, I have noticed that instagram reels are doing the exact same thing, or at least, I presume it's the same. Tired and frazzled at the end of a day, I scroll through an endless amount of reels on my favorite topics - dogs, reading, running, the evils of the far right - and zone out. Gone is the instagram of old, where most of the content I shared in was created by people I had actively followed.
The author thinks we should reclaim our time. Be less predictable to the machine. Go walking or running without our devices. Read a book. A newspaper on paper. That sort of thing. I have noticed that my brain is very thankful that I these days mostly go running device free. Thus, my thought can roam and my brain can rest from the constant bombardment of input.
I will probably by a paper copy of the book and read it again, I feel it's that important.
September 24, 2026
The algorithmic assault on our attention was predicted as far back as 1985. In that year, Neil Postman published Amusing Ourselves to Death, arguing, essentially, that an authoritarian regime need not do much to control public opinion. Give people enough cheap entertainment, and they will willingly surrender their capacity for sustained thought themselves.
Today, social media epitomizes this dystopian arrangement. Truth no longer needs to be suppressed, books no longer need to be banned; people will simply stop reading on their own—if you offer them an unlimited lineup of cat videos. Then, with a captive audience and a direct line to their feeds, any aspiring demagogue is free to deliver whatever message they please (including the idea that immigrants are eating those very cats).
This is the dystopia we now inhabit. And as if things weren’t bleak enough, AI is here to further blur the line between fiction and reality, all for the sake of entertainment and engagement. It is a world where everything—from religion to politics to the news—is packaged like a professional wrestling match. And yet we can’t stop clicking.
The fact is, our attention is under assault, our focus is fragmented, and our ability to sustain interest in any subject for more than five consecutive minutes is disappearing. If you need proof of this, look no farther than to the most anti-intellectual acronym ever invented, and now in wide use: TL;DR—too long, didn’t read.
That makes David Pakman’s latest book, Pay Attention, quite timely (or perhaps, too late?). Pakman—a media entrepreneur and author who lives daily within this wild media environment—reminds us that our most valuable commodity is our own time and attention, and that we ought to take a moment to reconsider how we spend it. As Pakman writes:
What makes this book feel authentic is that it is working against Pakman’s own interests. He’s effectively telling you, “listen, you may want to reconsider all the hours you invest in my own show and primary source of income.” But then again, he’s managed to build a massive audience by defying conventional wisdom and creating content with actual depth and substance rather than outrage. His own viewer base, then, might give us some hope that we can resist the forces that seek to dumb us down after all. Perhaps the algorithms can be re-trained and rewarded for intellectual rigor?
Perhaps. But don’t hold your breath; we still live in America. What would need to happen is unfathomable: Americans actually reading books and articles longer than 140 characters. We would need to fundamentally change the way we consume digital information, from the current model of infotainment to a model that encourages deep, critical thought. And all of this would have to take place on platforms that explicitly reward and encourage the opposite behavior.
Needless to say, the prospects are bleak. But Pakman provides the crucial first step: understanding how digital media manipulates our minds for engagement. Pakman is uniquely positioned to provide these lessons, having spent decades working within the machine itself, finely tuning YouTube thumbnails for maximum views. With this insider insight, he shows us how the internet has come to systematically murder our attention spans, how fragmented attention hinders intelligence and makes us all anxious and angry, and the steps we can take to escape from this intellectual nightmare.
To the extent that we learn these lessons—and understand the mechanics of how our attention is monetized—is the extent to which we can finally liberate ourselves from the machines.
Today, social media epitomizes this dystopian arrangement. Truth no longer needs to be suppressed, books no longer need to be banned; people will simply stop reading on their own—if you offer them an unlimited lineup of cat videos. Then, with a captive audience and a direct line to their feeds, any aspiring demagogue is free to deliver whatever message they please (including the idea that immigrants are eating those very cats).
This is the dystopia we now inhabit. And as if things weren’t bleak enough, AI is here to further blur the line between fiction and reality, all for the sake of entertainment and engagement. It is a world where everything—from religion to politics to the news—is packaged like a professional wrestling match. And yet we can’t stop clicking.
The fact is, our attention is under assault, our focus is fragmented, and our ability to sustain interest in any subject for more than five consecutive minutes is disappearing. If you need proof of this, look no farther than to the most anti-intellectual acronym ever invented, and now in wide use: TL;DR—too long, didn’t read.
That makes David Pakman’s latest book, Pay Attention, quite timely (or perhaps, too late?). Pakman—a media entrepreneur and author who lives daily within this wild media environment—reminds us that our most valuable commodity is our own time and attention, and that we ought to take a moment to reconsider how we spend it. As Pakman writes:
We live in a world where the tools of surveillance and control coexist seamlessly with infinite amusement and distraction. Where the same systems that monitor behavior also monetize it. Where outrage is engineered, pleasure is optimized, and truth becomes optional.
What makes this book feel authentic is that it is working against Pakman’s own interests. He’s effectively telling you, “listen, you may want to reconsider all the hours you invest in my own show and primary source of income.” But then again, he’s managed to build a massive audience by defying conventional wisdom and creating content with actual depth and substance rather than outrage. His own viewer base, then, might give us some hope that we can resist the forces that seek to dumb us down after all. Perhaps the algorithms can be re-trained and rewarded for intellectual rigor?
Perhaps. But don’t hold your breath; we still live in America. What would need to happen is unfathomable: Americans actually reading books and articles longer than 140 characters. We would need to fundamentally change the way we consume digital information, from the current model of infotainment to a model that encourages deep, critical thought. And all of this would have to take place on platforms that explicitly reward and encourage the opposite behavior.
Needless to say, the prospects are bleak. But Pakman provides the crucial first step: understanding how digital media manipulates our minds for engagement. Pakman is uniquely positioned to provide these lessons, having spent decades working within the machine itself, finely tuning YouTube thumbnails for maximum views. With this insider insight, he shows us how the internet has come to systematically murder our attention spans, how fragmented attention hinders intelligence and makes us all anxious and angry, and the steps we can take to escape from this intellectual nightmare.
To the extent that we learn these lessons—and understand the mechanics of how our attention is monetized—is the extent to which we can finally liberate ourselves from the machines.
September 26, 2026
David not only explains how we got to how we interact with our apps, but takes a mirror and has us look at what we actually do. I indeed feel it just easier to go with the algorithm. He gave me more insights of how to play its game, and tips on staying sane. Recommended!
September 26, 2026
David Pakman does an excellent job explaining the attention economy from both the creator's and consumer's perspectives. I appreciated gaining a deeper understanding of the factors content creators have to consider, while also seeing many of my suspicions confirmed about why video thumbnails often rely on the same formulas, visual cues, and gimmicks.
What I liked most about the book was Pakman's measured and practical approach to addressing the algorithms that drive modern online platforms. He makes it clear that these systems are designed to maximize engagement and revenue, not necessarily to protect consumers' mental health or serve their best interests. Rather than taking an alarmist tone, he offers realistic strategies for becoming more intentional about how we spend our attention.
I've already noticed myself applying some of his advice without consciously thinking about it. More quickly than before, I'll catch myself scrolling and think, "You're just wasting time. Get off the feed." I'm paying attention and being intentional! Since I already enjoy long-form content, especially audiobooks, the shift hasn't been difficult for me. If anything, the book has encouraged me to direct more of my attention back toward the kinds of content that provide lasting value.
Overall, Pay Attention offers an insightful look at how the modern attention economy works and, more importantly, provides practical guidance for navigating it more intentionally. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a better understanding of why it's so easy to lose hours online and what they can do about it.
I will continue to listen to David's podcast on 1.25 speed each weekday as I find it an excellent source of information about what is going on in this crazy political time right now and appreciate his viewpoints.
What I liked most about the book was Pakman's measured and practical approach to addressing the algorithms that drive modern online platforms. He makes it clear that these systems are designed to maximize engagement and revenue, not necessarily to protect consumers' mental health or serve their best interests. Rather than taking an alarmist tone, he offers realistic strategies for becoming more intentional about how we spend our attention.
I've already noticed myself applying some of his advice without consciously thinking about it. More quickly than before, I'll catch myself scrolling and think, "You're just wasting time. Get off the feed." I'm paying attention and being intentional! Since I already enjoy long-form content, especially audiobooks, the shift hasn't been difficult for me. If anything, the book has encouraged me to direct more of my attention back toward the kinds of content that provide lasting value.
Overall, Pay Attention offers an insightful look at how the modern attention economy works and, more importantly, provides practical guidance for navigating it more intentionally. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a better understanding of why it's so easy to lose hours online and what they can do about it.
I will continue to listen to David's podcast on 1.25 speed each weekday as I find it an excellent source of information about what is going on in this crazy political time right now and appreciate his viewpoints.
October 23, 2026
Very informative
Thank you for writing this book, it has genuinely helped me understand the algorithms more than I did before. Keep up the great work David.
Thank you for writing this book, it has genuinely helped me understand the algorithms more than I did before. Keep up the great work David.
September 23, 2026
Easy 5/5. Pakman does a deep dive from the inside into the digital world that is social media. It is both a warning and a blueprint. The writing is solid and the logic is even better.
September 22, 2026
David as an author is 2 for 2. He is a national treasure and I hope he writes many more books.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
2.5/5 Stars
David Pakman takes a deep dive into the mechanics of the algorithms shaping what content is presented across our daily social feeds. Is the internet of ideas like a library, where we casually browse topics that interest us? Or more like walking down an endless narrow hallway with paintings hung on the wall that were picked out just for us by a ruthless machine--it's only objective: keep us scrolling?
This is the style of language used in this title. High-level, metaphorical, and, at times, quite fascinating. I found myself wanting to highlight several well-worded phrases that felt packed with truth (I did not actually highlight them, since I plan to donate the book to my local library).
However, and this is a big "however," the tone of the book felt hectic, swirling, and repetitive. When I got to several passages, I felt as if I'd already encountered the phrase or metaphor or trail-of-thought earlier in the book. This redundancy may have been intentional. Pakman presents the concept of adding friction to our daily experiences so we don't become predictable and let the algorithm order the steps of our intellectual lives. Perhaps he wanted me to struggle through the physical process of reading this book?
Smaller bit of criticism: he singles out the political Right for being a perfect match for maximizing the power of the algorithm to present falsehoods and bite-sized slogans for low-IQ fans. While not stated clearly, the impression I got was that truth and nuance and content worthy of civilized conversations were exclusive to progressives and people closer to the Left. (I think there's plenty of click-bait tactics across all spectrums of political beliefs.)
A strength of the book is the author's candid insights into what it's like to be a creator in today's online universe. He talks about the tension between doing things that will get more engagement--thumbnails that show a strong emotion, click-bait-esque video titles, and shorter form content--, and holding to a set of personal values best expressed through more nuanced forms--podcasts, lengthy articles, non-hostile conversations with other people in Real Life.
He does a great job digging into the set of incentives presented by the algorithms. How they prioritize engagement over truth and nuance. And how creators slowly adjust their behaviors over time to please the all-powerful algorithm. Not by a one-time choice. But piece by piece, unwittingly. Until they lose their identity and become an algorithm-optimized version of themselves.
Also appreciated his point that social media consumers are not immune to being shaped by the algorithm. Have you ever been out with the family having fun and wanted to grab a photo? Is the priority to simply have a good time and make memories? Or are you also concerned with how the picture will play on Facebook? Will it look like you are having fun?
Are we doomed? Should we toss our phones into a lake?
Not so fast!
He delves into ways we can co-exist with the mighty forces monetizing our time and attention, narrowing our interests, and shaping us into an easy-to-predict caricature. I'll hold off on sharing the gameplan so you can go pick up a copy for yourself.
When you do, let me know if you found this review helpful.
Salud,
*PS: I won an advanced copy of this book through a goodreads give away.*
David Pakman takes a deep dive into the mechanics of the algorithms shaping what content is presented across our daily social feeds. Is the internet of ideas like a library, where we casually browse topics that interest us? Or more like walking down an endless narrow hallway with paintings hung on the wall that were picked out just for us by a ruthless machine--it's only objective: keep us scrolling?
This is the style of language used in this title. High-level, metaphorical, and, at times, quite fascinating. I found myself wanting to highlight several well-worded phrases that felt packed with truth (I did not actually highlight them, since I plan to donate the book to my local library).
However, and this is a big "however," the tone of the book felt hectic, swirling, and repetitive. When I got to several passages, I felt as if I'd already encountered the phrase or metaphor or trail-of-thought earlier in the book. This redundancy may have been intentional. Pakman presents the concept of adding friction to our daily experiences so we don't become predictable and let the algorithm order the steps of our intellectual lives. Perhaps he wanted me to struggle through the physical process of reading this book?
Smaller bit of criticism: he singles out the political Right for being a perfect match for maximizing the power of the algorithm to present falsehoods and bite-sized slogans for low-IQ fans. While not stated clearly, the impression I got was that truth and nuance and content worthy of civilized conversations were exclusive to progressives and people closer to the Left. (I think there's plenty of click-bait tactics across all spectrums of political beliefs.)
A strength of the book is the author's candid insights into what it's like to be a creator in today's online universe. He talks about the tension between doing things that will get more engagement--thumbnails that show a strong emotion, click-bait-esque video titles, and shorter form content--, and holding to a set of personal values best expressed through more nuanced forms--podcasts, lengthy articles, non-hostile conversations with other people in Real Life.
He does a great job digging into the set of incentives presented by the algorithms. How they prioritize engagement over truth and nuance. And how creators slowly adjust their behaviors over time to please the all-powerful algorithm. Not by a one-time choice. But piece by piece, unwittingly. Until they lose their identity and become an algorithm-optimized version of themselves.
Also appreciated his point that social media consumers are not immune to being shaped by the algorithm. Have you ever been out with the family having fun and wanted to grab a photo? Is the priority to simply have a good time and make memories? Or are you also concerned with how the picture will play on Facebook? Will it look like you are having fun?
Are we doomed? Should we toss our phones into a lake?
Not so fast!
He delves into ways we can co-exist with the mighty forces monetizing our time and attention, narrowing our interests, and shaping us into an easy-to-predict caricature. I'll hold off on sharing the gameplan so you can go pick up a copy for yourself.
When you do, let me know if you found this review helpful.
Salud,
*PS: I won an advanced copy of this book through a goodreads give away.*
October 4, 2026
Where to begin? First of all, I should say that as far as social media goes, I only "use" Facebook! And even before reading this book there have been times when I felt even that - FB - was too much. However, I am not about to give up on it, because I believe that I am able to "break the system" he describes in this book. That said, there are a few things that really got me while reading it. One, there are a few times where - IMHO - I think he got too bogged down in details. To the point of the reading becoming tedious. I kept telling myself I had to keep on plugging and that we would in time return to the "good stuff". And indeed thats how it played out. Second, and possibly more profoundly, I think I was disappointed that there was not more content on the best way(s) to break out of the mold "the machine" (his word) is trying to build around us as "users" of these systems. He hints at some stuff, but there is no discrete suggestions that if followed, these few things could help to make "the machine" less efficient at trying to mold us into what it wants us to be. I found this a bit disappointing. That after wrapping up all the apparently REAL inner workings of the social media "machine", he gives no real assistance in learning how to tackle it on its own terms. Your mileage may vary, but I still found the book quite interesting in trying to understand what goes on behind the scenes of virtually every scroll, click, and view you do when on these platforms. And frankly, some of it is a little scary!
October 6, 2026
David Pakman’s second book (“Pay Attention”) is a sharp, timely argument for reclaiming control over how we consume information in a world engineered to keep us scrolling. He captures the strange contradiction of modern media: we can be on an information high while being grounded in almost nothing and consuming endlessly without stopping to process what any of it means. His perspective as a content creator adds especially rich context because he understands firsthand the incentives, pressures, and attention-driven mechanics behind the platforms he is critiquing. He explores how compression, linguistic handcuffs, friction, and the constant battle between impulse and patience shape not only what we see but how we think. One of the book’s most memorable ideas is imagining a librarian compiling recommendations while being paid by the minute: of course the goal would become keeping you there rather than helping you find what you actually need. That metaphor perfectly captures the feed. This book ultimately asks us to replace “What is the algorithm giving me?” with “What do I want to consume today?” and to deliberately build a media diet grounded in reality rather than reaction. A thoughtful, practical, and increasingly necessary book.
October 28, 2026
While this was definitely informative of the reality of our fake reality that AI is giving us, I cannot gice this any higher then a 4. Reason being, is of all the book publishers David Pakman had to go with Harper Collins. In case those reading this don't know, Harper Collins is owned by Rupert Murdoch, the same guy who owns Fox News. So unfortunately, every copy of this book helps Rupert Murdoch spread BS on Fox News. Perhaps David Pakman didn't know. I find that hard to believe given all the research that he does for his content. With that being said. I did buy the book because of what David has done in the past. However, if he goes with Harper Collins, or any of their subsidiaries for future books, I won't be buying it.
October 12, 2026
An insider's look at content creation in the current moment. I work in traditional over-the-air broadcasting and have long admired David Pakman's ability to make a meaninful impact in the online content space for the last decade-plus. I've often wondered if the grass is greener on his side of the fence. This speaks to that and offers insightful observations on the dangers of the attention economy. It has the ability to not merely influence us but to profoundly reshape who we are (and not in a good way) without us even knowing it. He offers practical tips to be a mindful consumer of the content we are surrounded by that is fighting (and too often winning) our attention.
October 21, 2026
Thank god for all those millions of texts to young voter I sent it finally got ME something!!!!!! MY FIRST PR PACKAGE!!!!!
Obviously that is not the stakes I had in that game buttttt this book showed up addressed to me to my parents’ house and I do not know of anyone who paid for it?
The strategy of sending it to me really worked because I did read it right away. And I finished it quick; I did enjoy it!
I did feel that it was poorly edited and repetitive often, but I completely agreed with the core thesis and think the book could be very informative for someone who is not currently familiar with how algorithms work and would like to learn more!
Obviously that is not the stakes I had in that game buttttt this book showed up addressed to me to my parents’ house and I do not know of anyone who paid for it?
The strategy of sending it to me really worked because I did read it right away. And I finished it quick; I did enjoy it!
I did feel that it was poorly edited and repetitive often, but I completely agreed with the core thesis and think the book could be very informative for someone who is not currently familiar with how algorithms work and would like to learn more!
October 15, 2026
A warning about how internet algorithms capture & hold our attention
Excellent discussion of the history and the dangers of the attention economy--that is, the internet and the algorithms that value and monetize our emotional reactions rather than truth or the public good. I would have liked more real world examples of how it works and has worked in the past. Pakman is at his best when he discusses his own experiences and lessons learned as an internet content creator. The book is definitely worth the investment of your time.
Excellent discussion of the history and the dangers of the attention economy--that is, the internet and the algorithms that value and monetize our emotional reactions rather than truth or the public good. I would have liked more real world examples of how it works and has worked in the past. Pakman is at his best when he discusses his own experiences and lessons learned as an internet content creator. The book is definitely worth the investment of your time.
November 3, 2026
Well, I finished 😵💫
“We are mining our own lives for data and havesting our joy to feed a feed that is never full”
This is such an intriguing book if anyone is interested in knowing more about the actual history of how algorithms were created and the the overall impacts of the digital era.
I appreciated that it was written by someone who is a long-time content creator themselves, so they’ve seen the shift from pre-ai to now!!
“We are mining our own lives for data and havesting our joy to feed a feed that is never full”
This is such an intriguing book if anyone is interested in knowing more about the actual history of how algorithms were created and the the overall impacts of the digital era.
I appreciated that it was written by someone who is a long-time content creator themselves, so they’ve seen the shift from pre-ai to now!!
October 11, 2026
This started to sound like it was written by AI which is ironic considering it’s about algorithms and the social media mess we’re in. I had to stop reading because it was too repetitive and really did sound like it was written by a chatbot. What I did read was interesting enough although kind of obvious.
October 19, 2026
Who knew that so much went into making a podcast? Anybody on social media knows that if you click on an ad or article you will get lots more ads and articles pertaining to what you just looked at. Well, it's gotten a lot more complicated than that. Actually, several chapters explaining it. This was a very interesting book and explained a lot.
October 22, 2026
An insightful foray into how big tech is harnessing our consciousness and capitalizing from it. Not only does he carefully portray the big picture surrounding this problem, he gives measured, thoughtful and introspective advice about how to combat the state of affairs we find ourselves in. Please read and share!!
October 7, 2026
If you want almost 200 hundred pages of how an algorithm works, this book is mostly that. Pakman brushes over the impact beyond curated algorithms. I really wanted him to expand on that especially the differences between different sides of the political spectrum.
October 22, 2026
DNF. Very rare for me.
I thought it was very interesting to learn about the experience creators have gone through, but it was SO UNGODLY REPETITIVE early on that I quit. I have too many other books to read.
Stopped at page 80.
I thought it was very interesting to learn about the experience creators have gone through, but it was SO UNGODLY REPETITIVE early on that I quit. I have too many other books to read.
Stopped at page 80.
October 25, 2026
Repetitive, but with interesting content. Could have used editing. Felt like he was using some of his content creating tweaks to just say the same thing over and over. But still a good read if you enjoy learning about the attention economy and social media bullshit.
October 13, 2026
6⭐️
It’s frightening how quickly we have become slaves to an algorithm. Everyone should read this
It’s frightening how quickly we have become slaves to an algorithm. Everyone should read this
October 14, 2026
A wakeup call to all of us.
November 6, 2026
Large sections of the book have the feel of AI writing. Repetitive and lacking genuine insight.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews