The Blind Giant, By Nick Harkaway

Single-minded militants and diehard foes alike often shout the loudest about revolutions. Those extreme reactions make this balanced, humane and well-informed account of "how to survive in the digital age" even more valuable.

Harkaway is a qualified optimist on new technology and social media, although he points to potential abuse by states and corporations.

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Above all, at this "High Baroque" moment of digital culture, he calls for a humanistic response to change that puts people not machines in charge.