Don't Burn Anyone At The Stake Today - And Other Lessons From History About Living Through An Information Crisis

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A captivating look at how the digital age is transforming our world, from Naomi Alderman, a bestselling and Women's Prize-winning author. This book dives into the challenges of living through what she calls the Information Crisis.

Exploring the impact of digital overload by comparing it to past moments in history when humanity faced similar upheavals.

In this compelling and insightful book, Naomi Alderman builds on her acclaimed Radio 4 essay series to examine how we make sense of the times we live in. The internet has unleashed an unprecedented flood of knowledge, opinions, and ideas, alongside misinformation and verbal attacks. It accelerates both learning and the spread of falsehoods, connects us in new ways, and simultaneously divides us. This digital lens now shapes how we view the world, and there’s no turning back.

Yet, Alderman reminds us that humanity has faced this kind of upheaval before. She identifies three major information crises in history: the invention of writing 5,000 years ago, the printing press 600 years ago, and now the digital revolution. Each transformed how people perceive, interact, and think, often triggering fear, anger, and anxiety, but also sparking curiosity, education, and knowledge.

By reflecting on these earlier disruptions, Alderman explores what lessons we can draw to better navigate today’s information overload and prepare for what lies ahead. Drawing from philosophers and historians, Don't Burn Anyone at the Stake Today reveals how new technologies open doors to fresh ways of living and understanding, guiding us through the chaotic waves of information.

As Oliver Burkeman notes, Alderman offers a fresh perspective on the digital information crisis, sharing deep wisdom and showing how we can preserve our humanity instead of sacrificing it in the quest to be right online.

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