Extremely Online Books: A Gift Guide

TechCrunch's 2021 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Extremely Online

Looking for the perfect gift? TechCrunch’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide is here to assist! We are launching our annual gift guides, and new suggestions will be added regularly through December.

Understanding the "Extremely Online"

Do you find yourself compelled to share your reading progress on social media? If so, you may identify as “Extremely Online.” This describes individuals who readily differentiate between physical reality and the digital world.

These individuals often employ terms like IRL (in real life) and URL (uniform resource locator), and may even disable features like the iPhone’s Screen Time app, rejecting external limitations on their digital engagement.

For some, being constantly connected is even a profession, involving writing about social media or analyzing the pervasive influence of companies like Meta.

Books for Tech Culture Enthusiasts

While a comprehensive analysis of the Steak-umms Twitter account’s impact on advertising may not yet be available in book form, numerous authors offer insightful perspectives on tech culture.

These writers, both from within Silicon Valley and independent observers, utilize fiction and non-fiction to explore the implications of technology on our lives.

The following books, published recently, address topics ranging from the emergence of TikTok to cautionary tales of virtual worlds.

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“Several People Are Typing” by Calvin Kasulke

The core premise of this novel centers around a unique narrative structure. It unfolds entirely through the medium of Slack messages. A central conflict arises from an adversarial Slackbot taking control of a human body.

The protagonist finds themselves confined within the Slack application itself. Interestingly, their colleagues perceive this situation as an elaborate and extended performance. Subsequently, a cascade of chaotic events unfolds.

I have engaged with this book on two occasions this year. First, I read it in its digital format – a collection of Slack messages without supplemental narrative. Then, I experienced it as an audiobook, featuring a full cast enacting the various participants in the Slack conversations.

Both experiences proved highly enjoyable. The label “Slack book” might suggest a heavy-handed critique of capitalism and its impact on modern work life.

However, while the book isn’t supportive of capitalist structures, it avoids being overly serious. It addresses the difficulties our generation faces in achieving work-life balance with humor and absurdity.

The reading experience is remarkably engaging. It prompted audible laughter while reading on public transportation in Philadelphia.

An interview with Calvin Kasulke, conducted by TechCrunch via text message, revealed some compelling insights. He stated, “Capitalism is detrimental, and the body can feel restrictive, yet the absence of a body is arguably worse.”

Kasulke further emphasized the importance of simple pleasures, declaring: “Meatball subs provide as valid a reason for physical existence as any other. They rank among the top five reasons to remain connected to life.”

Price: $18 from Amazon

“Uncanny Valley” by Anna Wiener

Anna Wiener’s memoir, which garnered significant attention upon its release, offers a look into the world of Silicon Valley. Initially, I intentionally delayed reading it, despite recommendations from Goodreads. Several startup founders are even attempting to “disrupt Goodreads,” a fact I acknowledge and appreciate.

My reluctance stemmed from a pre-existing awareness of certain realities. It was already understood that startup environments can be characterized by toxicity and misogyny. Furthermore, the extensive data collection practices of tech companies were not a surprise.

While the relative privacy benefits of Browser A over Browser B are known, the issue extends to personalized browsing data. The loss of customized bookmarks and plugins is a significant concern for many users.

Despite the lack of groundbreaking revelations, Wiener’s viewpoint as a non-technical employee within the tech industry provided a welcome contrast. It was a break from the pervasive corporate language found in daily email correspondence.

However, the book’s central theme isn’t simply the nature of work in Silicon Valley. It explores the experience of a young adult seeking meaningful, harmless employment.

Wiener’s narrative details the allure of high salaries offered by the tech sector, despite potential ethical implications. The memoir begins with her struggles in a New York City publishing role, facing financial hardship while observing her employers’ lavish lifestyles.

It’s understandable why she chose to leave behind her artistic peers and relocate to the Bay Area to understand concepts like MAUs. The difficulty of sustaining a career in fields like publishing or arts administration without financial support from family becomes apparent.

This raises a critical question: is it more detrimental to be trapped in a system promising creative fulfillment but burdened by student debt, or to contribute to the displacement of long-term residents in the Bay Area while earning a substantial income?

Ultimately, the book didn’t present entirely new insights. The complexities of ethical consumption within a global capitalist system are well-established. We are all, to some extent, implicated in these systems.

However, it offers a sense of solidarity, a reassurance that one is not alone in grappling with these existential concerns. Everything is, as they say, alright.

Price: $12 from Amazon

Patricia Lockwood's “No One Is Talking About This”

The novel centers around a protagonist who achieves unexpected internet fame. This occurs after she posts the question, “can a dog be twins?” The post quickly gains traction, resulting in widespread online recognition.

The initial portion of the book is characterized by a post-ironic and somewhat bleak tone, mirroring online discourse. This style is intentionally disorienting, effectively capturing the feeling of endless scrolling. It represents a literary interpretation of the experience of doomscrolling.

However, a personal tragedy shifts the narrator’s focus away from the online world. She finds herself detached from the events unfolding within “the portal,” a term used to represent platforms like Twitter.

Similar to the novel “Several People Are Typing,” Lockwood’s work accurately portrays the lived experience of those deeply immersed in internet culture. The reader is initially drawn into this digital world, only to experience a sudden disengagement.

Availability and Cost

Price: The book is available for purchase on Amazon at a cost of $23.

“A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor” by Hank Green

Hank Green is recognized as a pioneer among YouTube stars. He subsequently established VidCon, the prominent YouTube conference, and several other ventures. These include a charitable sock subscription service and an educational video production company.

Notably, Green has also gained significant popularity on TikTok. Therefore, he possesses unique insight into the transformative power of the internet. He is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable figure who may have even been your high school chemistry instructor.

Green’s extensive online presence is pertinent because his book series, consisting of “An Absolutely Remarkable Thing” and “A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor,” centers around the internet. It’s important to note that this recommendation is for a sequel, requiring the reading of two books.

The initial installment details the swift ascent to global recognition of a self-assured young woman. She achieves viral fame after unintentionally initiating contact with extraterrestrial life. April May, a recent graduate navigating early career challenges, must confront the realities of overnight virality.

However, it is the second book, “A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor,” that is particularly highlighted here. The narrative resonated strongly when Mark Zuckerberg announced Meta’s Metaverse plans. Interestingly, I have yet to read “Ready Player One.”

In this second volume, April and her companions attempt to dismantle the scheme of a wealthy technology entrepreneur. His virtual reality platform conceals considerably more sinister intentions.

A key scene involves Andy’s immersion in the VR world of “Altus Space.” Within this space, a leaderboard ranks users based on their earnings from selling goods using the platform’s digital currency.

The top 50 individuals on the leaderboard are promised an exceptional, exclusive experience. Andy strives to ascend the ranks by contributing positively to the community.

However, his progress is hindered by celebrities who offer limited-edition virtual items in a final attempt to secure victory. Green subtly addresses themes of cryptocurrency, NFTs, and DAOs without explicitly mentioning them.

He reminds us that a decentralized internet does not automatically equate to a utopian society. As Andy’s girlfriend astutely observes, has capitalism ever truly been based on merit?

Price: $16 from Amazon

“Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup” by John Carreyrou

Although most books on this list appeared in 2020 or later, John Carreyrou’s “Bad Blood” is a notable exception, having been released in 2018.

More than three years after its initial publication, the founder and CEO of Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes, is currently undergoing a criminal fraud trial, with developments continually emerging.

For those actively engaged online, the case of Elizabeth Holmes and her company’s miniature blood vials is likely a familiar topic.

The Exposé and its Impact

John Carreyrou, an investigative journalist with the Wall Street Journal, published a groundbreaking exposé in 2015.

This report unveiled that Theranos, once valued at $9 billion, was unable to deliver precise results using its blood testing technology.

“Bad Blood” details Carreyrou’s investigative process, offering insights and information that were not included in his initial articles.

The book provides a comprehensive account of the reporting behind the story.

Why This Book Matters

Regardless of whether you are closely following the Holmes trial or are unfamiliar with Theranos, this book is essential reading.

It is particularly relevant for those interested in, or apprehensive about, the potential drawbacks of Silicon Valley’s corporate environment.

The narrative is compelling and disturbing, often seeming unbelievable in its details.

Price: $12 from Amazon

“The Atmospherians” by Alex McElroy

Alex McElroy’s novel, “The Atmospherians,” is a work of fiction that tackles challenging themes. It contains content that may be triggering for some readers, including depictions of eating disorders, suicide, and cult dynamics.

However, McElroy handles these delicate subjects with considerable care. The author even published an essay in The Atlantic detailing their approach to representing eating disorders responsibly.

This involved a conscious decision to avoid providing readers with potentially harmful information. Instead of detailing specific symptoms, the narrative focuses on the impact of the disorder on the character’s relationships and how friends respond to their struggles.

The novel’s connection to internet culture is immediately apparent, as its cover visually references Instagram. Despite this digital aesthetic, a significant portion of the story unfolds in a natural setting – the woods.

The plot centers around a beauty influencer who, following a public “cancellation” online, establishes a cult alongside her lifelong friend. Their aim is to rehabilitate men exhibiting harmful behaviors, guiding them to dismantle patterns of toxic masculinity.

A particularly striking moment occurs when the narrator receives a substantial offer. They are proposed to become the public face of a product designed to alter social media interactions.

This product would prompt users with a cautionary question – “are you sure you want to post that?” – before allowing potentially offensive content to be published. This concept closely mirrors existing warning systems found on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.

Price: $18 from Amazon

“Press Reset: Ruin and Recovery in the Video Game Industry” by Jason Schreier

For those deeply engaged in the gaming world, the issues surrounding Activision Blizzard – creator of titles such as Candy Crush, Call of Duty, and World of Warcraft – are likely familiar. The company is currently under investigation by the SEC and has been embroiled in scandals concerning sexual harassment.

However, Jason Schreier’s investigative work demonstrates that these incidents represent only a fraction of the challenges plaguing the video game industry as a whole.

The initial chapters of the book present a rather somber picture. Schreier details multiple instances of game studios abruptly shutting down, developers facing periods of unemployment, and employees receiving inadequate compensation despite consistently working 70-hour weeks.

Despite this bleak beginning, the book’s title accurately reflects its dual focus on both destruction and rebuilding. Schreier successfully documents instances of recovery alongside the accounts of hardship.

The narrative ultimately leans towards optimism. Learning about the difficulties experienced during the development of Bioshock Infinite will undoubtedly alter your perspective on the game.

Schreier also highlights potential solutions, such as the rise of independent studios, the formation of unionized teams, and the utilization of outsourcing companies like Disbelief, as avenues for mitigating the toxicity prevalent within the video game industry.

Price: $16 from Amazon

“Out of Office: The Big Problem and Bigger Promise of Working from Home” – A Review

The arrival of a comprehensive analysis of working from home during the pandemic was anticipated. It’s particularly welcome that this book was authored by Charlie Warzel, creator of the Extremely Online Galaxy Brain newsletter, and Anne Helen Petersen, known for her influential article and subsequent book on millennial burnout.

Fortunately, Warzel and Petersen’s work transcends a simple recounting of ~unprecedented times~. Instead, it explores whether the cultural changes brought about by the pandemic can present a chance to address long-standing problems within the corporate landscape.

Core Argument and Focus

The authors acknowledge the fundamental nature of capitalism. They state, “Capitalism is inherently exploitative, but it is also — at least for the immediate future — our guiding economic system.”

Their central question becomes: “If we’re going to live under it, how can we bend it to make that experience involve less suffering?”

“Out of Office” primarily centers on the experiences of knowledge workers. This contrasts with the realities faced by those in roles like Amazon fulfillment center employees.

Further Reading for a Broader Perspective

For readers seeking a more radical critique of capitalism, a supplementary recommendation is offered. Emily Guendelsberger’s “On the Clock: What Low-Wage Work Did to Me and How It Drives America Insane” provides valuable insight.

This additional reading is especially pertinent considering current socio-economic events and the widening gap in working conditions.

Availability and Cost

Price: $23 from Amazon.

TikTok's Ascendancy: Examining China's Influential App and the Competition for Social Media Supremacy

Chris Stokel-Walker’s detailed account of TikTok’s journey to becoming a leading social platform commences with the author, a technology reporter previously known for a book on YouTube, at a VidCon event.

This occurred in February 2019. The author recalls a feeling of unfamiliarity with TikTok’s growing popularity, comparing it to the understanding of the NFL outside the United States – aware of its scale, but lacking true comprehension.

A Rapid Transformation

The situation evolved rapidly. TikTok now boasts over 1 billion monthly active users, creating a sense that it has always been a fixture in the social media landscape. However, its widespread influence is comparatively recent.

Major corporations, such as Meta, are observing TikTok with concern, viewing it as a disruptive force capable of challenging their established social media dominance.

The question arises: how did this occur, particularly with an application originating from China, amidst a period of heightened Western skepticism towards foreign entities?

Deconstructing TikTok’s Success

Stokel-Walker meticulously analyzes the factors contributing to TikTok’s rise. He explores its effects on the creator economy, the dynamics of Silicon Valley, and the broader realm of geopolitics.

The book charts the app’s impact across multiple spheres, providing a comprehensive overview of its influence.

Price: $20 from Amazon