Too Smart: How Digital Capitalism is Extracting Data, Controlling Our Lives, and Taking Over the World

by Jathan Sadowski

Who benefits from smart technology? Whose interests are served when we trade our personal data for convenience and connectivity?

Smart technology is everywhere: smart umbrellas that light up when rain is in the forecast; smart cars that relieve drivers of the drudgery of driving; smart toothbrushes that send your dental hygiene details to the cloud. Nothing is safe from smartification. In Too Smart, Jathan Sadowski looks at the proliferation of smart stuff in our lives and asks whether the tradeoff--exchanging our personal data for convenience and connectivity--is worth it. Who benefits from smart technology?

Sadowski explains how data, once the purview of researchers and policy wonks, has become a form of capital. Smart technology, he argues, is driven by the dual imperatives of digital capitalism: extracting data from, and expanding control over, everything and everybody. He looks at three domains colonized by smart technologies' collection and control systems: the smart self, the smart home, and the smart city. The smart self involves more than self-tracking of steps walked and calories burned; it raises questions about what others do with our data and how they direct our behavior--whether or not we want them to. The smart home collects data about our habits that offer business a window into our domestic spaces. And the smart city, where these systems have space to grow, offers military-grade surveillance capabilities to local authorities.

Technology gets smart from our data. We may enjoy the conveniences we get in return (the refrigerator says we're out of milk!), but, Sadowski argues, smart technology advances the interests of corporate technocratic power--and will continue to do so unless we demand oversight and ownership of our data.

Genres: Technology, Economics, Nonfiction, Politics, Sociology, Business, Artificial Intelligence

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2020

About the author

Jathan Sadowski is a postdoctoral research fellow in smart cities at the University of Sydney, Australia.

Reviews

[Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was named after me.

Also this isn’t not The Beast as described by Dale Gribble in that video store episode of King of the Hill

[Jolynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought the author did a great job portraying the level of governmental and corporate surveillance rife in modern society and describing the consequences of such surveillance to individuals and society as a whole. I’m not sure I entirely agree with all the suggestions in the final chapter, but I certainly am in the camp interested in holding on to my dumb appliances. I have no interest in filling my house with things that watch me and listen to me. I do not need my refrigerator to order my groceries and virtual assistants that let me turn on music without getting my ass off of the couch. Hard pass. And this book does a good job of putting smart technology in the broader context of surveillance culture. Agree or disagree with the recs, I think the book is full of information every average citizen should know. Smarter flat out isn’t always better.

[Slow Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro to how the terraforming of spaces with "smart tech" is already having horrible consequences

[Sarah Cupitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

convenience often comes with a hidden price

Beneath the promises of efficiency and convenience lies a deeper story about surveillance, exploitation, and the ways technology companies are using our data to fuel an economy built on control. This isn’t just about targeted ads or privacy concerns – it’s about how smart technologies are fundamentally altering power structures.

notes:
- technopolitics – a concept introduced by technology expert and political economist Jathan Sadowski. Far from being neutral tools, smart devices are deeply intertwined with political and economic agendas. Take, for example, your smart speaker: it’s not just a convenient assistant; it’s a powerful data-collection machine designed to observe, predict, and, ultimately, influence your behavior.
- At the core of this lies digital capitalism, where personal data functions as currency. Every interaction with your devices generates valuable information, fueling an economy that feeds algorithms, targets advertisements, and shapes decisions.
- Consider the case of facial recognition technology. While it's touted as a security enhancement, studies have shown these systems perform poorly when identifying women and people with darker skin tones. This isn't just a technical glitch; it's a reflection of the biases embedded in the development process itself
- As smart technologies become increasingly ubiquitous, it's crucial to look beyond their surface-level conveniences.
- data has become an incredibly valuable resource, often likened to oil for its economic significance
- Digital assistants monitor your conversations, while smart appliances track your energy use, grocery needs, and even your sleep cycles, creating a detailed snapshot of your private life, which is then funneled into the databases of tech giants.
- The true value of this data lies in its centralization. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Meta have become the oil barons of the digital age, amassing colossal reserves of information that fuel their growth and influence. With this data, they can predict trends, shape consumer behavior, and even sway public opinion.
- Navigating this data-driven world requires a new level of awareness. Every interaction with a smart device is essentially a transaction, where convenience is often traded for personal information.
-Today's digital economy entices users to opt-in through a host of free-to-use services. From social media platforms to email providers, these tools have become integral to daily life — and they seemingly don’t cost a dime. But as the old saying goes, if you're not paying for the product, you are the product.
- Just as terraforming on other planets would make them habitable for humans, digital terraforming molds our cities to be more navigable by algorithms and machines. This process is driven by a mix of corporate interests, government initiatives, and technological capabilities.
- It's also crucial to address the digital divide that smart technologies can exacerbate. Support initiatives that provide technology access and digital literacy training to underserved communities. This could involve volunteering at local libraries or community centers, or advocating for policies that ensure equitable access to high-speed internet.
- Ultimately, reclaiming control in a smart world is an ongoing process. It requires vigilance, critical thinking, and active participation.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

In fact, the too smart is Jathan Sadowski. He has discovered a way in which pushing papers and just coming to work is enough to make a good living. That good living is created by the money collected by the Government and given to him in exchange for his undying loyalty.

In this volume he explains how the usual suspects are forcing the user to give its data. Of course some details are missing. Like how one can refuse to watch the ads or block the trackers, but the same person would end up ruined and in jail if they avoid the tax collector that enable thousands of Jathan Sadowski to live the good life. One can always no subscribe to any of the said services, which can't be told about the tens of millions of conscripts of the same Government. Finally, the "Digital Capitalism" is the problem and not the Five Eyes (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_...) who have the ability to take people and put them in secret prison indefinitely.

In the end, there are so many who live off the taxes collected from the poor, the widows and orphans, but Jathan Sadowski is not content with the good life and want more, and fights to become another ideologue of the Total State.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

thought this was ultimately fine. a lot of the information regarding smart tech and how the data of its consumers is used (both with public and private sectors) was not new information to me and while the concept of explaining to someone who has no idea about any of it is a good idea, it unfortunately felt reductant to me (personally). i'd still recommend this, but only if you're going into it with almost no prior knowledge of the subject matter

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer on data capitalism. Extensive coverage of smart cities and general urban focus.

[Synthia Salomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Valuable digital footprints

[Gabriel Soriano]

"You talk as if a god had made the Machine. I believe that you pray to it when you are unhappy. Men made it, do not forget that... The Machine is much, but it is not everything"

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure I agree with every single argument in this book, but I do think it's a hugely important read for anyone who wants to have a say in society's future. So basically, everyone. It introduced to me some new concepts that both build upon and expand from many of the sociocultural trends we see developing today. And, although the author is an academic, the book is well-written and readable (THANK YOU!).

[Michael Koltsov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great read if you want to become paranoid and understand that we're living in an antiutopia now. Technocraties everywhere, your data is sold and bought at every corner. Shouldn't be read by anyone who's relatively tech savvy, you'll find it funny as hell. Good for protesters and rioters.

[Jim Fettes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most important book you haven't yet read. Sadowski skewers the unsettling world of 21st century techno-capitalism, laying bare the growing injustice and crushing surveillance we all live under. Forget 1984--today's world is much weirder and much shittier than any dystopian future-fiction.

[Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jathan Sadowski’s "Too Smart: How Digital Capitalism Is Taking Over the World" exposes the hidden costs of our increasingly connected world, where smart technologies promise convenience but come at the expense of privacy, autonomy, and equity. The book explores how digital capitalism—the commodification of personal data—fuels an economy that prioritizes profit over public interest, reshaping power dynamics and deepening social divides.

Smart devices, from home assistants to wearable tech, act as surveillance tools, gathering data on every interaction to predict, influence, and monetize human behavior. Sadowski likens personal data to the "new oil" of the digital economy, emphasizing that it is extracted without full consent and sold repeatedly, empowering tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta. This process isn't just about serving ads but consolidating corporate control over economies and societies, often exacerbating existing inequalities.

The book highlights how these issues extend to urban environments, as smart city initiatives promise efficiency and sustainability but often prioritize corporate and governmental interests over public good. Sadowski introduces the concept of "digital terraforming," where urban landscapes are reshaped for algorithms and data collection, sometimes excluding marginalized communities. For example, facial recognition systems frequently fail with darker skin tones, reflecting biases that amplify systemic inequities.

Sadowski critiques the "illusion of free" in the digital economy, where services like social media and email appear costless but profit from user surveillance. This surveillance capitalism extracts human experiences as raw material for hidden commercial practices. Every swipe, click, and message contributes to data profiles that drive profits for tech companies, underscoring the exploitative nature of these supposedly free tools.

Despite these challenges, "Too Smart" emphasizes that individuals and communities can reclaim agency. Practical steps include choosing privacy-focused alternatives like encrypted messaging apps, questioning data collection practices in smart city projects, and supporting digital rights organizations. Advocating for policies that promote equitable access to technology and stronger data protection laws is also critical to mitigating the negative impacts of digital capitalism.

Ultimately, the book serves as a call to action for greater awareness and collective responsibility. Sadowski argues that while smart technologies are here to stay, they must evolve to serve societal interests equitably. By recognizing the stakes and actively engaging in policy and technological discussions, individuals can help shape a digital future that prioritizes transparency, fairness, and human values.

[Marco Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

La mayor parte de mi vida me sentí emocionado por el futuro, por mucho tiempo disfrutaba de ver películas de ciencia ficción ubicadas muchos años en el futuro, en donde todo parecía magia, todo era inteligente, luces por todos lados, inteligencias artificiales, coches voladores, anuncios publicitarios sobre pilas y pilas de acero. Algunas trataban temas claramente distópicos pero claro, era muy ingenuo para prestarle la suficiente atención a eso. Las luces, los coches voladores, la super tecnología, los enormes edificios se robaban el espectáculo para mí.
Ahora, esos futuros no sólo me dan miedo, sino que me repugnan.
Parece que cada vez es más difícil imaginar un futuro bonito, y aún más difícil decirlo sin que se intente desacreditar tachando de utópico. Pero bueno, hay que ser realistas, pidamos lo imposible.
Este libro nos enuncia todos los terrores a los que nos estamos enfrentando, y cómo, cuando parecía que la tecnología, las inteligencias artificiales, la automatización, esas grandes y poderosas herramientas que tenemos, suponían una ayuda en nuestro objetivo de una sociedad mejor, resulta que ¡oh plot twist! son estas mismas las que se encargan de resaltar y expandir aún más los problemas a los que nos enfrentamos.
Los temas con la data, la nueva forma de capital, que se tratan en el libro son interesantes, ¿la recolección de información es explotación? ¿la datificación es violencia? ¿las plataformas son los nuevos "caseros" en este capitalismo digital? y muchas más cosas curiosas te encontrarás aquí.
Llegando al final, como casi todos los libros de este tipo, se apunta, se dibuja un camino a lo que puede ser una solución, es aquí en donde las ideas del autor ahora son más claras, es aquí en donde el autor pierde completamente a su lector, o lo hace dudar, o se lo gana.
Son 3 puntos importantes en su camino a la solución que se plantean, el más interesante para mí, la colectivización de la información.
¿Qué es eso? Suena malo, ¿significa que mi vecino va a tener acceso a mis fotos, a mi temperatura corporal, a mis conversaciones?
Tranquilo, no es eso. Si quieres saber dale una oportunidad a este libro, a ver qué dices.
Así que como dice Jathan, resistir, redefinir y rediseñar una sociedad inteligente sin todo lo feo que trae el camino que se está tomando es difícil, pero es casi igual como cuando Rosa Luxemburgo dice que la revolución, no vendrá como un golpe duro y repentino, sino como una necesidad, sí, es difícil imaginar una sociedad diferente, son difíciles los procesos que implican, es un arduo trabajo, pero es necesario.

[Mir Shahzad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:

In this book, you’ve explored how smart technologies, while offering convenience, are fundamentally reshaping our world through digital capitalism and technopolitics. These innovations often prioritize corporate profits over the public good, turning personal data into a highly valuable commodity. Extracted from our daily activities, this data is used to predict and influence behavior on an unprecedented scale. The so-called “free” services we rely on operate within a system of surveillance capitalism, where our experiences are monetized – often without our full understanding or consent. While smart cities promise efficiency and connectivity, they also raise critical questions about privacy, consent, and who truly benefits from these advancements.
Reclaiming control in this digital age begins with recognizing the value of your data. By making informed choices about how you use technology, supporting privacy-focused alternatives, and advocating for policies that promote ethical and equitable progress, you can help shape a smarter world that works for everyone.

[Flavio Barbaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book suitable for understanding the more intricate and less obvious effects of capitalism today: it is no longer something recognizable, but something that passes through concepts such as terraforming, data preservation, and especially their commodification. In one word: digital capitalism. The book is not only very interesting, as is the subject it deals with, but also the writing style is understandable and fluid.

I believe this book gives us the right insights to understand how to face in the future what we have so far called 'capitalism', but of which we have not seen the evolutions and of which we might not immediately notice the effects. From now on, discussions like these will be very important.

[Alyona Trotsenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Книга подойдет людям, у которых "умный дом", но забывает о том что человек превращается в поток данных, а кто эти данные собирает и для чего, не ясно. Все мы знаем о сборе данных на каждого из нас, об интернет предпочтениях, о том что все наши девайса передают информацию о наших покупках и здоровью, где эта инфа делает из нас цифровую версию нас самих же, но с более понятным хотелками. Не много стремно от этого. Но мой принцип страшно - попробуй понять и уже не так страшно.
Лично я бы не хотела жить в "умном городе".
Но и в "глупом" тоже)

[Matt Beaty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadowski's analysis and criticism of the omnipresent "smart technology" ecosystem we're subjected to should be a starting point for every politician and citizen concerning their acceptance, reliance, and use of technology--whether "smart" or not.

[Abraham Vanselow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your toaster is watching your every move. Be careful out there.

[Poppy-Jayne Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as a Blinkist abridged version, interesting commentary on digital terraforming, data privacy, and the future of smart urban communities.

[Kota Galley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading. Most valuable nonfiction book I’ve read this year.

[Erik Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some good criticisms of the emergent properties of internet capitalism but doesn’t have a clear vision of what to do about it

[Sergiusz Golec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the best and most important books I've read this year.
Sadowski isn't just explaining digital capitalism; he's dissecting it. Many of his findings feel less like a tech analysis and more like a horror story.

It's so dense with "a-ha!" moments that I've already read it twice. Sadowski explains how "smart" solutions are dangerous. Smart you, smart home, smart city. He brilliantly dismantles the marketing hype.

My favorite takeaway, which will stick with me professionally, is the concept of 'code as law' and 'code is better than law.' It's a terrifyingly accurate description of how digital systems now control behavior, often bypassing traditional oversight entirely.

I've already recommended this book to several people and will undoubtedly return to it again. It's essential reading for anyone in tech — or anyone who owns a device that's just a little too helpful.

[Guillaume]

I am going to become a terrorist.