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Ben Tarnoff: Internet for the People (Paperback, 2021, Verso Books) 4 stars

In Internet for the People, leading tech writer Ben Tarnoff offers an answer. The internet …

This is the (almost) perfect update to Jonathan Zittrain's "The Future of the Internet" which was published in 2008 and predicts almost precisely what Tarnoff describes as the current state of affairs.

There are some differences, however. Where Zittrain focuses on markets and technology, Tarnoff leaves technology a little behind and brings social dynamics and politics more into play. The two books together provide a pretty well rounded picture.

Then, Tarnoff's focus on social dynamics also permit for a better "way out" to be described. Unfortunately, this is left somewhat vague - an approach which is consistent with the view he puts forward that many differing views are required to shape the future, but also an approach that may seem a little unsatisfying at times.

Overall, if you wanted to pick up one book on the state and future of the Internet, this is it. There are tons of references for further exploration in the last section of the book.