The best 60 The Internet books

The internet has become an integral part of modern life, revolutionizing communication, research, and entertainment. Our carefully selected book list on this topic offers valuable insights into the history, impact, and future of the digital age.

Dive into these essential reads to deepen your understanding of the online world. Ready to unravel the mysteries of cyberspace and stay ahead of the digital curve?

  1. 1SuperFreakonomics

    SuperFreakonomics

    Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

    Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance

    4.1 (102 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's SuperFreakonomics about?

    SuperFreakonomics (2009) explains why thinking like an economist can help us understand our modern world. These blinks illustrate key economic principles and the importance of collecting data with colorful stories from human history, and offers surprising solutions for the global problems that we face today.

    Who should read SuperFreakonomics?

    • Anyone interested in entertaining, statistical facts about human behavior
    • Math buffs who believe in the power of statistics
    • Anyone curious about a very cheap way to stop global warming
  2. 2The Future of the Professions

    The Future of the Professions

    Richard Susskind and Daniel Susskind

    How Technology Will Transform the Work of Human Experts

    3.7 (97 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Future of the Professions about?

    The Future of the Professions (2015) examines how modern technology and the internet have revolutionized our society. These blinks in particular address how technology has changed the way society views the work of experts, the so-called professionals. The role of such experts is evolving quickly; here you’ll discover just what the future of professions will look like.

    Who should read The Future of the Professions?

    • Entrepreneurs and managers in the tech business
    • Coaches who work with C-level executives
    • Anyone interested in how technology is changing how we work
  3. 3Reading the Comments

    Reading the Comments

    Joseph M. Reagle Jr.

    Likers, Haters and Manipulators at the Bottom of the Web

    3.3 (25 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Reading the Comments about?

    Reading the Comments (2015) delves into the social phenomenon of online commentary. These blinks explore how online commenting became the force it is and examine commenting’s positive and negative influence on communication at large. Importantly, these blinks encourage you to think about the implications of online comments for the modern internet user.

    Who should read Reading the Comments?

    • Readers fascinated by online commentary
    • People keen to learn about new modes of communication
    • Students majoring in communication studies
  4. 4The Dark Net

    The Dark Net

    Jamie Bartlett

    Inside the Digital Underworld

    3.1 (81 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Dark Net about?

    The Dark Net (2014) is a window into the internet’s nefarious underbelly. These blinks detail a trove of hidden online activity, from drug deals to illegal pornography to troubling discussions among suicidal teenagers.

    Who should read The Dark Net?

    • Adventurous people who want to uncover everything the internet has to offer
    • Anyone concerned about all the terrible things happening online
    • Aspiring porn stars and anyone who wants to buy marijuana from their couch
  5. 5Everybody Lies

    Everybody Lies

    Seth Stephens-Davidowitz

    Big Data, New Data and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are

    4.0 (141 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Everybody Lies about?

    Everybody Lies (2017) is about the data collected in vast quantities by computers and over the internet. This data can help reveal fascinating information about the human psyche, behavior and quirks, because, as it turns out, people aren’t always so willing to communicate their true hopes and desires to others.

    Who should read Everybody Lies?

    • Anyone interested in the complex nature of human behavior
    • Media studies experts and social scientists
    • Anyone concerned about the power of the internet and online privacy
  6. 6The Seventh Sense

    The Seventh Sense

    Joshua Cooper Ramo

    Power, Fortune, and Survival in the Age of Networks

    3.7 (31 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Seventh Sense about?

    The Seventh Sense (2016) unpacks the positive and negative aspects of today’s interconnected world. Terrorism is on the rise and the global economy is in a questionable state. The Seventh Sense explains how these issues are interrelated, and how society can still prosper in this network-dominated age.

    Who should read The Seventh Sense?

    • Anyone addicted to social media
    • Managers of a business or corporation
    • Anyone curious about the impacts of technology on today’s society
  7. 7Digital Minimalism

    Digital Minimalism

    Cal Newport

    Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World

    4.5 (1,029 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Digital Minimalism about?

    Digital Minimalism (2018) is a practical guide to navigating today’s media landscape, where multiple billion-dollar companies are out to keep your eyes as glued to their platforms as possible. Fortunately, there is growing skepticism surrounding new technology and digital media. People are eager to regain their autonomy and, while they’re at it, live more satisfying and healthy lives. With these tools and methods, you too can regain the focus and productivity that comes from stepping back from new technology.

    Who should read Digital Minimalism?

    • Anyone feeling overwhelmed with social media
    • People looking for tips to boost productivity
    • News junkies in need of a detox
  8. 8Because Internet

    Because Internet

    Gretchen McCulloch

    Understanding the New Rules of Language

    4.1 (148 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Because Internet about?

    It’s common knowledge that the internet has profoundly changed society, and Because Internet (2019) looks at one specific and significant change: how online culture has transformed the English language. These blinks show how the web has created new linguistic rules, remixed old ones and democratized writing itself. Along with these shifts, prepare to explore the memes, emoji and demographic makeup of the internet.  

    Who should read Because Internet?

    • Language nerds fascinated by recent changes in English
    • Inflexible grammarians clinging on to past practices
    • Parents consistently baffled by their children’s text messages
  9. 9New Dark Age

    New Dark Age

    James Bridle

    Technology and the End of the Future

    4.0 (100 ratings)

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    What's New Dark Age about?

    New Dark Age (2018) investigates the fundamental paradox of our digital age: as new technologies allow us to gather more and more data on our world, we understand less and less of it. Examining the history, politics and geography of the complex digital network we are enmeshed in, James Bridle sheds new light on the central issues of our time, from climate change to wealth inequality to post-factual politics, and explains how we can live with purpose in an era of uncertainty.

    Who should read New Dark Age?

    • Tech skeptics and tech enthusiasts
    • Critical thinkers fascinated by the geopolitics of our networked world
    • Anyone interested in the silly and profound ways technology shapes our lives
  10. 10Broad Band

    Broad Band

    Claire L. Evans

    The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet

    4.1 (134 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Broad Band about?

    Broad Band (2018) tells the story of the women who played significant roles in the evolution of computers and the internet. It examines how these women became trailblazers in fields of work that were initially considered boring – but later proved to be of great importance.

    Who should read Broad Band ?

    • Young women interested in pursuing a career in computer science
    • Computer scientists and engineers
    • People interested in how women have shaped our world
  11. 11Deepfakes and the Infocalypse

    Deepfakes and the Infocalypse

    Nina Schick

    What You Urgently Need To Know

    3.9 (122 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Deepfakes and the Infocalypse about?

    Deepfakes and the Infocalypse (2020) is an urgent warning about the dangers posed by fake – but extremely realistic – audiovisual material called deepfakes. They are powered by artificial intelligence, and scammers and hackers are already using them to defraud businesses and harass individuals. Governments are joining in, as well; the use of deepfakes for propaganda is growing. We need to actively prepare for a time when deepfakes become commonplace. If we don’t, we’ll barrel headfirst into an information apocalypse.

    Who should read Deepfakes and the Infocalypse?

    • Anyone who hasn’t heard of deepfakes
    • Citizens concerned about political polarization and the breakdown of trust in society
    • Tech-savvy individuals who feel they can’t be fooled by fake content
  12. 12Blockchain Chicken Farm

    Blockchain Chicken Farm

    Xiaowei Wang

    And Other Stories of Tech in China's Countryside

    3.8 (78 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Blockchain Chicken Farm about?

    Blockchain Chicken Farm (2020) is an examination of the way technology is entangled with everyday life. This sweeping survey of life in rural China unpacks the social, political, and economic changes we can expect in the twenty-first century.

    Who should read Blockchain Chicken Farm?

    • Luddites skeptical about the impact of new technologies
    • Techno-utopians eager for more critical insights
    • Anyone interested in forecasting the future
  13. 13The Data Detective

    The Data Detective

    Tim Harford

    Ten Easy Rules to Make Sense of Statistics

    4.4 (320 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Data Detective about?

    The Data Detective (2021) is a smart, practical guide to understanding the ways in which statistics –⁠ and our reactions to them –⁠ distort and obscure reality. Using psychological research and illuminating examples, it reveals some of the ways our brains influence how we see data and statistics and how we draw incorrect conclusions as a result. By picking apart our cognitive biases and misconceptions, we gain the ability to see data, and in turn, the world, for what it really is.

    Who should read The Data Detective?

    • News and social media addicts
    • Avid consumers of scientific articles and research
    • Anyone who regularly comes into contact with data or statistics
  14. 14This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends

    This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends

    Nicole Perlroth

    The Cyberweapons Arms Race

    4.7 (184 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends about?

    This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends (2021) takes a deep dive into the ongoing global cyberweapons arms race. It explains how the unregulated market for destructive weapons began, how nations are buying and using these weapons, and why they represent a threat to our immediate future.

    Who should read This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends?

    • Anyone who uses a computer or smartphone
    • Security- and privacy-minded people
    • Taxpayers curious about how their money is spent
  15. 15Google Leaks

    Google Leaks

    Zach Vorhies and Kent Hecklively

    A Whistleblower's Exposé of Big Tech Censorship

    3.5 (350 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Google Leaks about?

    Google Leaks (2021) is the no-holds-barred story of one former Google employee, who claims that the search giant has been corrupted by political bias and is pursuing a course of deliberate online censorship. It details the author’s journey after Donald Trump’s election from satisfied employee to unflinching corporate whistleblower .

    Who should read Google Leaks?

    • Tech lovers concerned by the the growth of online megacorporations 
    • Political aficionados interested in the years of Trump’s presidency
    • Free-speech advocates concerned by the erosion of civil liberties
  16. 16Privacy Is Power

    Privacy Is Power

    Carissa Véliz

    Why and How You Should Take Back Control of Your Data

    4.5 (230 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Privacy Is Power about?

    Privacy is Power (2020) is a shocking exposé of the inner workings of surveillance capitalism. It reveals how, every day, hundreds of interested parties are violating your privacy and capitalizing on your personal data. Corporations, governments, and criminals alike are all busy collecting and exploiting your data in an effort to influence the way you think and behave. In these blinks, you’ll learn why your privacy is so important and what you can do to protect it.

    Who should read Privacy Is Power?

    • Those perturbed by governments and corporations snooping on our private lives
    • People untroubled by digital surveillance because they believe they have nothing to hide
    • Anyone looking for actionable ways to protect their privacy now
  17. 17An Ugly Truth

    An Ugly Truth

    Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang

    Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination

    4.0 (267 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's An Ugly Truth about?

    An Ugly Truth (2021) is a critical look behind the scenes of Facebook. This in-depth investigation reveals the politics and personalities animating the rise and subsequent missteps of this controversial social media behemoth.

    Who should read An Ugly Truth?

    • Internet addicts looking to understand cyberspace
    • Political junkies addicted to their News Feed
    • Anyone who has ever logged on to social media
  18. 18Attention Span

    Attention Span

    Gloria Mark

    A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity

    4.4 (992 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Attention Span about?

    Attention Span (2023) examines the connection between the digital age and our capacity for attention. As digital devices have become inextricable from our lives, our attention spans have shortened and our stress levels have risen. Drawing on scientific research, it debunks modern myths about attention and explains how we can reclaim it for better well-being. 

    Who should read Attention Span?

    • Anyone worried about their decreasing attention span
    • Those who have trouble disconnecting from their phone
    • People who feel stressed, exhausted, and burned out
  19. 19Free Speech

    Free Speech

    Jacob Mchangama

    A History from Socrates to Social Media

    4.3 (208 ratings)

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    What's Free Speech about?

    Free Speech (2022) traces the history of this world-defining idea. It provides a soapbox for some of free speech’s greatest proponents and highlights key events that pushed the idea forward from ancient times to the present. Offering an evenhanded treatment of the costs and benefits of free speech throughout history, it’s a powerful retort to all those forces that threaten to erode free speech today.

    Who should read Free Speech?

    • Passionate defenders of free speech who could use more argumentative ammunition 
    • Students preparing for campus debates on whether free speech should be limited
    • Anyone on the left or right seeking insight into modern-day debates on free speech
  20. 20Stolen Focus

    Stolen Focus

    Johann Hari

    Why You Can't Pay Attention – and How to Think Deeply Again

    4.5 (2,301 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Stolen Focus about?

    Stolen Focus (2022) begins with author Johann Hari experiencing a common problem: his attention span is diminishing. He can’t seem to focus on much outside of Twitter and online news. Over three years, Hari tries to identify the root causes of this problem. He uncovers a collective attention crisis that’s affecting the entire globe. From social media to the culture of productivity, Hari identifies the culprits behind our stolen focus – and wonders if, and how, we can claim it back.

    Who should read Stolen Focus?

    • Anyone who feels like they just can’t concentrate the way they used to
    • Multitaskers with brimming to-do lists who still feel like they don’t get much done
    • Anyone scrolling through social media while they’re reading this!
  21. 21The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is

    The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is

    Justin E.H. Smith

    A History, A Philosophy, A Warning

    4.0 (146 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is about?

    The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is (2022) offers startlingly new ways of understanding the world wide web, and strongly challenges us to examine our long-held beliefs about the supremacy of human cognition. It confronts our most closely-held (and least examined) ideas about the internet and social media, and weaves together observations from centuries of philosophy, mathematics, science and history.

    Who should read The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is?

    • Those feeling overwhelmed by the pace of life in the information age 
    • Anyone worried about the addictive side of social media 
    • The Zoom-fatigued looking for better ways to connect.
  22. 22Your Brain on Porn

    Your Brain on Porn

    Gary Wilson

    Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction

    4.2 (371 ratings)

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    What's Your Brain on Porn about?

    Your Brain on Porn (2014) examines the explosion of internet pornography addiction. In the age of high-speed internet, porn is more widespread than ever. And although excessive porn consumption can negatively affect mental health and sexual function, the damage can be reversed. 

    Who should read Your Brain on Porn?

    • Anyone who thinks they might be suffering from porn addiction
    • Students of psychology or medicine
    • Internet connoisseurs seeking to understand the effects of excessive porn consumption
  23. 23Selfless

    Selfless

    Brian Lowery

    The Social Creation of “You”

    4.2 (34 ratings)

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    What's Selfless about?

    Selfless (2023) explores the concept of the self as an entity formed by relationships and society in general. It tackles the roles of family, social groups, the country, and technology in shaping the self. 

    Who should read Selfless?

    • Social psychology enthusiasts
    • Anyone interested in the idea of the self as a social creation
    • People looking to understand themselves and others better
  24. 24NFTs Are a Scam (NFTs are the Future)

    NFTs Are a Scam (NFTs are the Future)

    Bobby Hundreds

    The Early Years: 2020-2023

    3.9 (30 ratings)

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    What's NFTs Are a Scam (NFTs are the Future) about?

    NFTs Are a Scam / NFTs Are the Future (2023) is a bold, provocative take on what is either another scam-ridden, superficial digital trend or the future of art and entertainment – depending on who you ask. It considers NFTs from every angle to help you make up your own mind.

    Who should read NFTs Are a Scam (NFTs are the Future)?

    • Techheads sitting on a tower of NFTs
    • Digital enthusiasts craving NFT gossip and insights
    • Anyone wondering what an NFT is – and why they should care
  25. 25Tribe of Hackers

    Tribe of Hackers

    Marcus J. Carey, Jennifer Jin

    Cybersecurity Advice from the Best Hackers in the World

    3.7 (187 ratings)

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    What's Tribe of Hackers about?

    Tribe of Hackers (2019) is a comprehensive guide for aspiring and seasoned cybersecurity professionals globally built around enlightening interviews with 70 security experts, including well-known figures such as Lesley Carhart, Ming Chow, Bruce Potter, Robert M. Lee, and Jayson E. Street. It provides valuable advice for everyone hoping to tool up in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.

    Who should read Tribe of Hackers?

    • Aspiring professionals seeking insight into the cybersecurity industry
    • Tech enthusiasts interested in practical cybersecurity knowledge
    • Readers looking for expert advice and real-world experiences
  26. 26Sexploitation

    Sexploitation

    Cindy Pierce

    Helping Kids Develop Healthy Sexuality in a Porn-Driven World

    3.9 (35 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Sexploitation about?

    Sexploitation (2015) is an up-to-date take on sexual education, aimed at arming parents, carers, and educators with the best advice for supporting kids to make healthy sexual choices. 

    Who should read Sexploitation?

    • Parents who want to support their tweens and teens in exploring their sexuality
    • Educators dealing with the impact of porn and social media on young adults
    • Carers and mentors looking for up-to-date advice on sexual education
  27. 27The Porn Trap

    The Porn Trap

    Wendy Maltz & Larry Maltz

    The Essential Guide to Overcoming Problems Caused by Pornography

    4.1 (229 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Porn Trap about?

    The Porn Trap (2010) is your guide to understanding the powerful grasp that porn can have on people’s lives, and how to escape it. Drawing from real cases, it outlines what porn addiction is and the real consequences it has had. Then it provides six steps for those suffering from addiction to take back control of their lives.

    Who should read The Porn Trap?

    • People struggling with their relationship with porn
    • Anyone who suspects their partner has a porn addiction
    • Councilors, therapists and supporters for people with porn addictions
  28. 28Snow Crash

    Snow Crash

    Neal Stephenson

    Enter the Virtual World With This Cyberpunk Epic

    4.1 (97 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Snow Crash about?

    Snow Crash (1992) is a cyberpunk sci-fi novel starring katana-wielding, pizza-delivering hacker Hiro Protagonist and his partner, spunky teen skateboarder Y.T. It features a virus called Snow Crash which pervades both the physical world and the virtual world, also known as the Metaverse. But it soon becomes apparent that Snow Crash is more than just a virus –⁠ as Hiro delves deeper, he discovers a conspiracy that has its roots in ancient Sumerian legends and poses a dire threat to humanity.

    Who should read Snow Crash?

    • Science fiction buffs
    • Tech enthusiasts and futurists 
    • Linguistics and anthropology nerds 
  29. 29Pornland

    Pornland

    Gail Dines

    How Porn Has Hijacked Our Sexuality

    3.5 (269 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Pornland about?

    Pornland (2010) invites you to dive deep into the world of modern pornography and its implications. Discover how the industry's evolution has led to the commodification of women, reshaping societal norms and expectations. Embark on a thought-provoking journey that challenges perceptions of intimacy in our digital age.

    Who should read Pornland?

    • Students of gender studies
    • Those worried about the media's portrayal of sexuality
    • Advocates for healthier intimacy standards
  30. 30The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

    Douglas Adams

    A Novel

    4.3 (232 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy about?

    The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (1979) is the first book in a series of science fiction novels that follows Arthur Dent, the only human to escape the destruction of Earth. Following his rescue by an alien researcher for the eponymous guide, Arthur’s reluctant adventure across space and time leads to an array of surreal and humorous escapades across the universe.

    Who should read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?

    • Those interested in learning what the classic science fiction franchise is all about
    • First-time intergalactic travelers looking to brush up on alien etiquette
    • Anyone curious about the meaning of life, the universe, and everything
  31. 31Tokens

    Tokens

    Rachel O'Dwyer

    The Future of Money in the Age of the Platform

    3.7 (53 ratings)

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    What's Tokens about?

    Tokens (2023) looks at the transformation of traditional monetary systems in the digital era, highlighting how various forms of digital tokens are increasingly replacing conventional currency. It explores the implications of this shift, particularly focusing on the role of digital platforms in creating new types of economic exchange, ownership, and governance models.

    Who should read Tokens?

    • Financial technology professionals and cryptocurrency enthusiasts
    • Tech entrepreneurs exploring new payment systems
    • Anyone interested in the future of digital currency
  32. 32Swipe to Unlock

    Swipe to Unlock

    Neel Mehta, Parth Detroja & Aditya Agashe

    The Primer on Technology and Business Strategy

    4.0 (28 ratings)

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    What's Swipe to Unlock about?

    Swipe to Unlock (2017) offers a clear and concise understanding of the key concepts and technologies shaping today’s digital world. It breaks down complex tech topics into easily digestible explanations, covering everything from how the internet works to the business strategies of major tech companies. It’s essential material for anyone looking to navigate the intersection of technology, business, and everyday life, regardless of their technical background.

    Who should read Swipe to Unlock?

    • Aspiring tech professionals who don’t want to be coders
    • Non-tech professionals working at tech companies
    • Anyone curious about the inner workings of the tech industry
  33. 33Raising Critical Thinkers

    Raising Critical Thinkers

    Julie Bogart

    A Parent's Guide to Growing Wise Kids in the Digital Age

    4.3 (124 ratings)

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    What's Raising Critical Thinkers about?

    Raising Critical Thinkers (2022) is a guide for parents who want their children to make up their own minds amid today’s flood of information. Personal stories and science-backed exercises offer practical wisdom with which families can nurture thoughtful minds and empathetic hearts.

    Who should read Raising Critical Thinkers?

    • Parents seeking to nurture curious, discerning children who process information thoughtfully
    • Homeschooling parents looking for exercises to foster critical thinking
    • Teachers hoping to encourage perspective and insight in students
  34. 34The ChatGPT Millionaire

    The ChatGPT Millionaire

    Neil Dagger

    Making Money Online Has Never Been this EASY

    3.3 (273 ratings)

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    What's The ChatGPT Millionaire about?

    The ChatGPT Millionaire (2024) explores the many ways ChatGPT can help people in the working world. It first explores techniques and tips for using the platform, before detailing a range of ways the AI technology can be useful not only to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and freelancers across industries, but also to those looking to set up passive income streams and gain financial freedom. 

    Who should read The ChatGPT Millionaire?

    • Anyone interested in making money using ChatGPT
    • Freelancers curious about how ChatGPT can improve productivity
    • Business owners looking to streamline their processes
  35. 35Power And Prediction

    Power And Prediction

    Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans & Avi Goldfarb

    The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence

    3.2 (82 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Power And Prediction about?

    Power And Prediction (2018) explores the impact of AI's advancements in prediction on decision-making processes, where AI handles the predictive elements and human judgment is important in their interpretation and application.

    Who should read Power And Prediction?

    • AI enthusiasts
    • Business leaders
    • Career strategists
  36. 36A History of Fake Things on the Internet

    A History of Fake Things on the Internet

    Walter Scheirer

    From Hoaxes to Deepfakes

    2.7 (37 ratings)

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    What's A History of Fake Things on the Internet about?

    A History of Fake Things on the Internet (2023) explores the origins and evolution of digitally fabricated content, from early photo manipulation to today’s AI-generated deep fakes, analyzing key technological advances that made new forms of deception possible, and tracing their real-world impact back to fundamental aspects of human behavior. It argues that problems stemming from fake online content relate more to creativity and destruction inherent in human nature, rather than the nature of the faked content itself.

    Who should read A History of Fake Things on the Internet?

    • Technology historians
    • Media literacy advocates
    • Anyone interested in information security
  37. 37Filterworld

    Filterworld

    Kyle Chayka

    How Algorithms Flattened Culture

    4.2 (226 ratings)

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    What's Filterworld about?

    Filterworld (2024) dives into the digital age's landscape, where algorithms are the unseen puppeteers of culture, taste, and social interaction. Peel back the digital curtain to uncover how your preferences are being shaped in echo chambers of sameness and how to be authentic in a world curated by code.

    Who should read Filterworld?

    • Digital nomads and social media enthusiasts
    • Cultural critics investigating the intersection of technology and culture
    • Reclaimers of individuality
  38. 38Read Write Own

    Read Write Own

    Chris Dixon

    Building the Next Era of the Internet

    4.3 (148 ratings)

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    What's Read Write Own about?

    Read Write Own (2024) shows how blockchain can revive the democratic promise of the early internet. It examines the internet across three eras: the early democratic but read-only age of the web, the “read-write” age, centralized under corporate control, and now the "read-write-own" movement, occasionally termed web3, whereby blockchain networks empower user communities, not just big tech firms. With lucid prose and tech industry expertise, it provides historical context and an inspirational guidebook for a more open, equitable digital future.

    Who should read Read Write Own?

    • Tech enthusiasts eager to understand the next major wave of internet innovation
    • Entrepreneurs and builders seeking new opportunities in web3 spaces.
    • Advocates of decentralized systems and collaborative economies who want an empowered open web
  39. 39Attention Factory

    Attention Factory

    Matthew Brennan

    The Story of TikTok and China's ByteDance

    4.1 (37 ratings)

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    What's Attention Factory about?

    Attention Factory (2020) chronicles the meteoric rise of ByteDance, a company that has left an indelible mark on our perceptions of Chinese technology. A deft interweaving of storytelling, analysis, and captivating anecdotes, it offers an unparalleled glimpse into the company’s growth and how it has shaped the American and Chinese internet landscapes.

    Who should read Attention Factory?

    • Tech enthusiasts interested in the inner workings of Chinese internet companies
    • Business professionals looking to understand the strategies behind TikTok’s rapid growth
    • Anyone curious about the TikTok phenomenon and its influence
  40. 40SEO 2024

    SEO 2024

    Adam Clarke

    Learn search engine optimization with smart internet marketing strategies

    4.0 (29 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's SEO 2024 about?

    SEO 2024 (2024) is an indispensable resource for anyone looking to improve their online visibility and drive more traffic to their site. It breaks down the complexities of search engine optimization (SEO) into easy-to-understand concepts and actionable strategies, providing the tools to outrank competitors and attract customers.

    Who should read SEO 2024?

    • Startups seeking cost-effective ways to grow their online presence
    • Small business owners looking to improve their online visibility and attract more customers
    • Website owners and bloggers aiming to increase their organic traffic and search engine rankings
  41. 41Understanding Media

    Understanding Media

    Marshall McLuhan

    The Extensions of Man

    4.2 (50 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Understanding Media about?

    Understanding Media (1964) is a prescient analysis of the profound impact media would have on society, envisioned decades before the digital age actually unfolded. Introducing groundbreaking concepts like the “global village” and “the medium is the message,” it offers a fascinating lens through which to view our interconnected modern existence. 

    Who should read Understanding Media?

    • Students of media theory, communications, or related fields 
    • Technology professionals interested in the history of digital communication
    • Cultural theorists curious about how media shapes social norms and structures
  42. 42Proximity

    Proximity

    Robert C. Wolcott & Kaihan Krippendorff

    Just-In-Time Breakthroughs to Transform Business and Life

    4.0 (77 ratings)

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    What's Proximity about?

    Proximity (2024) explores how digital technologies are revolutionizing production and service delivery, enabling on-demand fulfillment with minimal environmental impact. It examines the implications of this trend across industries and how it will transform business strategies, supply chains, and sustainability efforts.

    Who should read Proximity?

    • Business leaders and entrepreneurs looking to innovate their business models
    • Tech-savvy consumers excited about personalization and on-demand services
    • Anyone frustrated by the waste and inefficiency of the current mass-production paradigm
  43. 43Extremely Hardcore

    Extremely Hardcore

    Zoë Schiffer

    Inside Elon Musk's Twitter

    3.4 (207 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Extremely Hardcore about?

    Extremely Hardcore (2024) offers a behind-the-scenes look into a pivotal moment in tech history: Elon Musk's high-stakes takeover of Twitter. It offers insights into his unorthodox management style and the profound effects it had on the company and its workforce.

    Who should read Extremely Hardcore?

    • Anyone interested in a Silicon Valley exposé 
    • People curious about Elon Musk
    • Former Twitter users wondering what happened to their platform
  44. 44The Chaos Machine

    The Chaos Machine

    Max Fisher

    The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World

    4.1 (204 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Chaos Machine about?

    The Chaos Machine (2022) explores the dark side of social media. The design of apps like Facebook and Twitter, combined with the nature of human psychology, often make social media bring out the worst in us.

    Who should read The Chaos Machine?

    • Social media addicts
    • People concerned about the negative effects of social media
    • Anyone interested in psychology
  45. 45Nexus

    Nexus

    Yuval Noah Harari

    A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI

    4.3 (488 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Nexus about?

    Nexus (2024) explores how information networks, from storytelling and books to the internet and AI, have shaped human history. It lays bare the risks technology currently poses to these networks and defines the critical decisions humanity must make to safeguard information, power, order, and truth.

    Who should read Nexus?

    • History lovers who want to uncover the fascinating history of information
    • Futurists wondering what’s next for information technology
    • Ethicists invested in the moral implications of the digital revolution
  46. 46Too Smart

    Too Smart

    Jathan Sadowski

    How Digital Capitalism Is Taking Over the World

    4.0 (132 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Too Smart about?

    Too Smart (2020) examines the hidden costs and societal impacts of our increasingly connected digital world. It reveals how smart technologies, while promising convenience and efficiency, are fundamentally altering power dynamics, economies, and personal freedoms by extracting and commodifying our data.

    Who should read Too Smart?

    • Tech enthusiasts curious about the broader implications of smart devices
    • Privacy advocates concerned about data collection and surveillance
    • Anyone looking to make more informed decisions about their digital habits
  47. 47The Art of SEO

    The Art of SEO

    Eric Enge, Stephan Spencer, Jessie Stricchiola

    Mastering Search Engine Optimization

    3.5 (26 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Art of SEO about?

    The Art of SEO (2023) offers a comprehensive guide to search engine optimization, covering everything from basic methods to advanced tactics. It provides insights into the complexities of internet search, the inner workings of search engines, and the latest SEO tools and methods, including generative AI. 

    Who should read The Art of SEO?

    • Digital marketers looking to refine their SEO strategies
    • Entrepreneurs aiming to increase their online visibility
    • Web developers seeking to optimize website performance
  48. 48The Sirens' Call

    The Sirens' Call

    Chris Hayes

    How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource

    4.3 (93 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Sirens' Call about?

    The Siren’s Call (2025) explores the unsettling reality of the modern attention economy, where powerful forces relentlessly compete for our focus. It reveals how this struggle shapes everything from politics to culture, all while fostering an environment that deepens alienation and dissatisfaction.

    Who should read The Sirens' Call?

    • Those curious about the impact of the attention economy
    • Professionals interested in media, technology, and societal influence
    • Anyone concerned about digital culture and mental well-being
  49. 49The Mysterious Mr. Nakamoto

    The Mysterious Mr. Nakamoto

    Benjamin Wallace

    A Fifteen-Year Quest to Unmask the Secret Genius Behind Crypto

    4.0 (35 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Mysterious Mr. Nakamoto about?

    The Mysterious Mr. Nakamoto (2025) recounts the hunt for the pseudonymous creator of cryptocurrency Bitcoin, who disappeared after introducing the cryptocurrency to an obscure online forum in 2008. It follows the author’s global search through an array of eccentric suspects while illustrating Bitcoin’s evolution from libertarian ideal to financial phenomenon attracting both visionaries and opportunists.

    Who should read The Mysterious Mr. Nakamoto?

    • Cryptocurrency enthusiasts who want to understand Bitcoin's origins
    • Tech history buffs interested in one of the digital age's greatest unsolved mysteries
    • Anyone curious about the cypherpunk movement that birthed the blockchain
  50. 50Fintech Wars

    Fintech Wars

    James Da Costa

    Tech Titans, Chaotic Crypto and the Future of Money

    3.9 (80 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Fintech Wars about?

    Fintech Wars (2024) explores how digital finance has upended traditional banking and reshaped how money moves through the world. Drawing on insider access and interviews with pioneering founders, it reveals the risks, rivalries, and breakthroughs that fueled fintech’s rise – from early innovators to trillion-dollar powerhouses.

    Who should read Fintech Wars?

    • Investors interested in the patterns driving successful financial innovation
    • Tech enthusiasts curious about the human stories behind familiar apps
    • Students of business or finance wanting real-world case studies of industry disruption
  51. 51Amazon Unbound

    Amazon Unbound

    Brad Stone

    Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire

    4.4 (47 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Amazon Unbound about?

    Amazon Unbound (2022) traces Amazon’s dramatic transformation from a scrappy online bookstore into a trillion-dollar powerhouse shaping global commerce, entertainment, and cloud computing. Alongside this corporate ascent, it follows founder Jeff Bezos’s evolution – from ambitious tech entrepreneur to one of the most powerful and polarizing figures in business.

    Who should read Amazon Unbound?

    • Tech enthusiasts seeking insights into Amazon's innovations and strategies
    • Business professionals interested in corporate leadership and growth dynamics
    • Anyone curious about Jeff Bezos's evolution and Amazon's global impact
  52. 52The Magic of Code

    The Magic of Code

    Samuel Arbesman

    How Digital Language Created and Connects Our World

    4.4 (41 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Magic of Code about?

    The Magic of Code (2025) argues that code functions as the fundamental building block of our digital world, with the power to create virtual worlds, connect people globally, and serve as a gateway to understanding connections among diverse fields like language, mythology, and human thought patterns. 

    Who should read The Magic of Code?

    • Curious non-techies ready to discover the hidden magic shaping their reality
    • Burnt-out programmers who need to reignite their love of code
    • Artists who want to unlock a new creative medium
  53. 53The Cybernetic Society

    The Cybernetic Society

    Amir Husain

    How Humans and Machines Will Shape the Future Together

    4.2 (26 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's The Cybernetic Society about?

    The Cybernetic Society (2025) explores how humans and intelligent machines have fused into a single hybrid system that now shapes every aspect of life. It shows how this symbiosis offers both promise and peril, from adaptive “cognitive cities” to autonomous weapons that accelerate conflict. Ultimately, it argues that the future will depend on whether these feedback-driven systems are designed to extend freedom and human potential or to deepen control and dependence.

    Who should read The Cybernetic Society?

    • Technology professionals and innovators
    • Business and policy decision-makers
    • Students and curious readers of society and futures
  54. 54Prompting Made Simple

    Prompting Made Simple

    Rajeev Kapur

    How to Use ChatGPT and Unlock the Power of AI

    4.1 (290 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Prompting Made Simple about?

    Prompting Made Simple (2025) is a straight-forward beginner’s guide to the art of asking the right questions in the age of AI. It teaches you how to communicate effectively with ChatGPT and other AI tools to unlock superhuman productivity and creativity in everything from business decisions to vacation planning.

    Who should read Prompting Made Simple?

    • Overwhelmed AI beginners who need practical guidance on using ChatGPT and similar tools
    • Professionals who want to leverage AI tools for productivity and competitive advantage
    • Educators, writers, and creatives seeking to use AI for content creation
  55. 55Streaming Wars

    Streaming Wars

    Charlotte Henry

    How Getting Everything We Wanted Changed Entertainment Forever

    4.2 (13 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Streaming Wars about?

    Streaming Wars (2025) examines how platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and Disney+ have fundamentally transformed entertainment economics, power structures, and what content gets made. It reveals the hidden mechanics behind streaming, showing how these shifts affect both what we watch and who profits from it.

    Who should read Streaming Wars?

    • Media professionals navigating a rapidly changing entertainment landscape
    • Content creators who want to know who really pulls the strings at the streamers
    • Business strategists eyeing up this dynamic media sector
  56. 56This Is for Everyone

    This Is for Everyone

    Tim Berners-Lee

    The Unfinished Story of the World Wide Web

    4.5 (29 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's This Is for Everyone about?

    This Is for Everyone (2025) tells the inside story of how one man’s simple idea at CERN grew into the World Wide Web that now connects us all. From the first browser wars to the bigger debates over privacy, social media, and AI, it reveals how the web’s open spirit was both its greatest strength and its biggest vulnerability. It also looks to a better future – a web that lives up to its potential by empowering individuals and restoring trust.

    Who should read This Is for Everyone?

    • Tech enthusiasts curious in how the web came to be
    • Entrepreneurs interested in how bold ideas can grow into global movements
    • Everyday web users who are eager for a better online experience
  57. 57Click Here

    Click Here

    Alex Schultz

    The Art and Science of Digital Marketing and Advertising

    4.3 (29 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's Click Here about?

    Click Here (2025) reveals how to navigate today’s overwhelming digital marketing landscape and turn any online channel into real business growth. Drawing from experience scaling one of the world’s largest tech platforms, this guide breaks down the essential principles for maximizing your marketing impact – from channel selection and creative testing to measuring what truly drives results.

    Who should read Click Here?

    • Founders and entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses through digital channels
    • Marketing professionals and CMOs seeking to optimize their strategies and budgets
    • Business students interested in learning cutting-edge digital marketing principles
  58. 58It's Complicated

    It's Complicated

    danah boyd

    The Social Lives of Networked Teens

    4.1 (51 ratings)

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    00:00

    What's It's Complicated about?

    It’s Complicated (2014) reveals that teenage social media use is far more sophisticated than adults assume, with young people developing complex strategies to manage identity, privacy, and social relationships in networked spaces where all their audiences collapse together. The real dangers aren't the ones dominating headlines – predators, addiction, cyberbullying – but rather how adult panic and protectionism prevent teenagers from developing the skills they need to navigate digital life thoughtfully and safely. 

    Who should read It's Complicated?

    • Parents who want a nuanced understanding of what their teens are doing online
    • Teachers helping their students navigate online life
    • Policymakers tackling online regulations
  59. What's Content Marketing Made Easy about?

    Content Marketing Made Easy by John Nemo is a comprehensive guide that simplifies the process of creating and distributing valuable content to attract and engage a target audience. With practical tips and real-life examples, this book helps businesses build a successful content marketing strategy to drive traffic, generate leads, and ultimately increase sales.

    Who should read Content Marketing Made Easy?

    • Business owners looking to attract and engage their target audience through content marketing

    • Marketers who want to create a consistent and effective content strategy

    • Entrepreneurs seeking to build their personal brand and establish authority in their industry

  60. What's Networking All-In-One for Dummies about?

    Networking All-In-One for Dummies by Doug Lowe is a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about networking. It includes topics such as setting up a network, network security, troubleshooting, and much more. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced professional, this book provides valuable insights and practical tips to help you navigate the world of networking.

    Who should read Networking All-In-One for Dummies?

    • Individuals looking to learn about networking and IT infrastructure

    • Professionals seeking to advance their career in the field of networking

    • Small business owners or entrepreneurs who want to set up and manage their own network

Related topics

Frequently asked questions about The Internet

While choosing just one book about a topic is always tough, many people regard SuperFreakonomics as the ultimate read on The Internet.
Blinkist curators have picked the following:
  • SuperFreakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
  • The Future of the Professions by Richard Susskind and Daniel Susskind
  • Reading the Comments by Joseph M. Reagle Jr.
  • The Dark Net by Jamie Bartlett
  • Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
  • The Seventh Sense by Joshua Cooper Ramo
  • Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
  • Because Internet by Gretchen McCulloch
  • New Dark Age by James Bridle
  • Broad Band by Claire L. Evans
When it comes to The Internet, these are the authors who stand out as some of the most influential:
  • Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
  • Richard Susskind and Daniel Susskind
  • Joseph M. Reagle Jr.
  • Jamie Bartlett
  • Seth Stephens-Davidowitz