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The Internet of Us: Knowing More and Understanding Less in the Age of Big Data Hardcover – March 21, 2016

by Michael P. Lynch (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 91 ratings
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With far-reaching implications, this urgent treatise promises to revolutionize our understanding of what it means to be human in the digital age.

We used to say "seeing is believing"; now googling is believing. With 24/7 access to nearly all of the world's information at our fingertips, we no longer trek to the library or the encyclopedia shelf in search of answers. We just open our browsers, type in a few keywords and wait for the information to come to us. Indeed, the Internet has revolutionized the way we learn and know, as well as how we interact with each other. And yet this explosion of technological innovation has also produced a curious paradox: even as we know more, we seem to understand less.

While a wealth of literature has been devoted to life with the Internet, the deep philosophical implications of this seismic shift have not been properly explored until now. Demonstrating that knowledge based on reason plays an essential role in society and that there is much more to “knowing” than just acquiring information, leading philosopher Michael Patrick Lynch shows how our digital way of life makes us overvalue some ways of processing information over others, and thus risks distorting what it means to be human.

With far-reaching implications, Lynch's argument charts a path from Plato's cave to Shannon's mathematical theory of information to Google Glass, illustrating that technology itself isn't the problem, nor is it the solution. Instead, it will be the way in which we adapt our minds to these new tools that will ultimately decide whether or not the "Internet of Things"―all those gadgets on our wrists, in our pockets and on our laps―will be a net gain for humanity. Along the way, Lynch uses a philosopher's lens to examine some of the most urgent issues facing digital life today, including how social media is revolutionizing the way we think about privacy; why a greater reliance on Wikipedia and Google doesn't necessarily make knowledge "more democratic"; and the perils of using "big data" alone to predict cultural trends.

Promising to modernize our understanding of what it means to be human in the digital age, The Internet of Us builds on previous works by Nicholas Carr, James Gleick and Jaron Lanier to give us a necessary guide on how to navigate the philosophical quagmire that is the Information Age.

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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Liveright
  4. Publication date
    March 21, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    6.6 x 1 x 9.6 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0871406616
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0871406613
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A bracing challenge to Internet enthusiasts."
― Booklist

"Lynch effectively presents the case for rationality against factional loyalties and insists that there should be vigorous promotion of scientific methods and thinking in public discourse. . . . An excellent, much-needed contribution to the constant battle to sort truth from falsity."
― Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"[Lynch] pursues his argument with commendable seriousness, clarity, and attunement to historical context….He has written an intelligent book that struggles honestly with important questions: Is the net turning us into passive knowers? Is it degrading our ability to reason? What can we do about this?"
― David Weinberger, LA Review of Books

"[A] fascinating new book…Lynch has been writing about this topic for a long time, and passionately."
― Jill Lepore, The New Yorker

"Lynch’s basic argument is that if we understand better the conditions under which knowledge is produced and disseminated―conditions he explores clearly and cogently―then we will become more ‘responsible' knowers."
― Wall Street Journal

About the Author

Michael P. Lynch is Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor and director of the Humanities Institute at the University of Connecticut. His previous books include True to Life and The Internet of Us.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Liveright (March 21, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0871406616
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0871406613
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.6 x 1 x 9.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 91 ratings

About the author

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Michael P. Lynch

Michael P. Lynch

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Michael Patrick Lynch is Provost Professor of the Humanities and Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Connecticut. Lynch is the author or editor of ten books, including most recently, ON TRUTH IN POLITICS, KNOW-IT-ALL SOCIETY, THE INTERNET OF US, TRUTH AS ONE AND MANY and the New York Times Sunday Book Review Editor’s pick, TRUE TO LIFE. Lynch has held grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, The Andrew Mellon Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation among others. He has spoken at TED, The Nantucket Project, Chautauqua, and South by Southwest. In 2019 he was awarded The George Orwell Award, which recognizes writers who have made outstanding contributions to the critical analysis of public discourse.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
91 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and thought-provoking about living in the digital age. They describe it as an interesting read that covers a variety of new problems. However, opinions differ on the pacing - some find it well-written and clear, while others feel the second half is cumbersome and repetitive at times.

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InsightReadabilityPacing
11 customers mention "Insight"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and thought-provoking. They appreciate the clear explanations and well-thought-out investigation of the effects of digital age living. The book explores different types of knowledge and how technology can help nurture and not replace them. Readers also mention it provides an excellent overview of some challenges human civilization is experiencing, outstanding theories, and a glimpse into the future.

"...It is well written, clear and updated although somewhat repetitive and shallow at times. Overall quite readable and worth the moneys's worth." Read more

"Insightful clearly stated well thought out Investigation of the effects of the Internet as a source of information via a vis..." Read more

"...It seems like he wants to dive deeper, but hesitates instead. Good discussion about what big data tells us versus how that is interpreted or is..." Read more

"Excellent overview of some the challenges human civilization is experiencing as we implement new global information sources and networks...." Read more

9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an interesting read that covers new issues. They say it's worth reading in the digital age and provides inspiration for family challenges.

"...and how much we trust that information... This is an interesting read. I Recommend checking it out!" Read more

"This is a good book about some of the consequences of "Google reading" as opposed to " holistic reading", understanding, or as the..." Read more

"This book was interesting and sparked many deeper thoughts and understandings, but it was written with a more general audience in mind...." Read more

"...A pleasure to read, and thought-provoking for IT professionals like myself." Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"2 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some find it well-written and clear, while others feel the second half is cumbersome and repetitive at times.

"Insightful clearly stated well thought out Investigation of the effects of the Internet as a source of information via a vis..." Read more

"...It is well written, clear and updated although somewhat repetitive and shallow at times. Overall quite readable and worth the moneys's worth." Read more

"...It is well written, clear and updated although somewhat repetitive and shallow at times. Overall quite readable and worth the moneys's worth." Read more

"...But could not finish it, as the second half is getting pretty cumbersome and I did not find it inspiring then, as no solution is proposed, but pure..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • just me
    5.0 out of 5 stars Eye opening book...inspiration for a family challenge
    Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I am really enjoying this book!!.

    In chapter 2, he talks about how he wrote down 4 tasks and worked to find answers to these 4 items without using the internet. He describes the challenges he faced in doing that as the equivalent of dressing up in Civil War costumes and participating in war reenactment LOL.
    These were his questions:
    1. What is the capital of Bulgaria? 2. Is a four-stroke outboard engine more efficient than a two-stroke? 3. What is the phone number of my U.S. representative? 4. What is the best-reviewed restaurant in Austin, Texas, this week?

    I wonder how my children would fare at this task? This should be a social experiment (or a high school classroom project). I am thinking about making this a family scavenger hunt /challenge project...it's crazy how reliant we are on the Internet and how much MORE information we have access to than we used to (in my own lifetime.) and how much we trust that information...

    This is an interesting read. I Recommend checking it out!
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Ronald Fernandez
    4.0 out of 5 stars Right focus on understanding as opposed to knowing
    Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a good book about some of the consequences of "Google reading" as opposed to " holistic reading", understanding, or as the ancients called "wisdom". In explaining these difference the author warns about some of the dangers of the Internet revolution, and also reiterates some of the consequences thereof.It is well written, clear and updated although somewhat repetitive and shallow at times. Overall quite readable and worth the moneys's worth.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • PLN
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful clearly stated well thought out Investigation of the effects ...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Insightful clearly stated well thought out
    Investigation of the effects of the Internet
    as a source of information via a vis
    Knowledge - how they relate, are valued, and effect us. Excellent
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Skims the surface
    Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book was interesting and sparked many deeper thoughts and understandings, but it was written with a more general audience in mind. So, there are a lot of instances where the author skims the surface of a major point or idea. It seems like he wants to dive deeper, but hesitates instead. Good discussion about what big data tells us versus how that is interpreted or is understood. I would recommend it for a general and heavily philosophical discussion of big data, but that's as far as I'd go.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • 740 W.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Google knowing vs truly understanding
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent overview of some the challenges human civilization is experiencing as we implement new global information sources and networks. The section on privacy, autonomy and human dignity I found especially useful.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Iver
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Limits of The Internet and Big Data
    Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Examines different types of knowing, and how technology can help nurture, but not replace, them. Very clearly introduces and applies a number of philosophical concepts. Ends disappointingly, though. There are clearly implications here for personal and family conduct as well as public policy that are not full!y explored. A pleasure to read, and thought-provoking for IT professionals like myself.
    Helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book overall
    Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting book, worth a read in the current digital age. It gave me some insight about what it mean to live in a digital age.
    Helpful
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  • T-Diddy
    5.0 out of 5 stars I don't believe in mandatory reading, but if I did...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Fascinating and frightening. This wouldn't be a summer beach read for most people. A bit of a slow read, due to technical terms and definitions, but the author makes it about as easy as he possibly can. Highly recommended.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Adsoboy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un libro astante interesante.
    Reviewed in Mexico on March 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Lo pedí para incluirlo en mi marco teórico para mi tesis y de verdad tiene bastantes ideas interesante sobre la era digital en la que estamos viviendo. Realmente es bastante clara y sencilla del autor no debe suponer mayor problema si te encuentras en un nivel intermedio de inglés.
    Report
  • jrhrdk
    5.0 out of 5 stars A necessary criticism of our mindless use of the internet...
    Reviewed in Germany on March 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    As a librarian, im very fond of this book; cause it documents that the internet doesnt make us all smarter, its the other way around: Most people just "download" information, they dont internalize it - the information dont stick in our memory, because it take work to make new information stick! And when we stumble over interesting information, the knowledge that we know where to find the information, does make us forget it 5 minutes later. I think every librarian in the world should read this book!
    Report
  • DR. v.H.RAO
    3.0 out of 5 stars A word of caution
    Reviewed in India on September 28, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This book while presenting what could (could not) the internet learning do , it cautions us what we should not allow it do.
    Report
  • Jorge Ramos
    5.0 out of 5 stars Verdaderamente practico
    Reviewed in Mexico on November 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Un libro actual y ambicioso, bien escrito.
    Report