The Secret Life of Data by Aram Sinnreich & Jesse Gilbert

The Secret Life of Data: Navigating Hype and Uncertainty in the Age of Algorithmic Surveillance

by Aram Sinnreich & Jesse Gilbert

In an age of constant algorithmic surveillance, data has a secret life. Authors Aram Sinnreich and Jesse Gilbert explore the many unpredictable ways data surveillance, AI, and algorithms impact our culture and society in The Secret Life of Data. They build on a simple premise: no matter how we intend to use data, its long-term purpose and impact will always be a surprise.

While most books on data and society focus on the short-term effects of our immense data usage, this book is unique in its focus on the long-term consequences of digitizing, storing, and analyzing every piece of information about ourselves and our world. The authors explore a broad range of scenarios—from playful to problematic—to show how data’s secret life has profound implications for every aspect of our lives, from our intimate relationships to our professional careers and political systems.

By interviewing dozens of experts, Sinnreich and Gilbert advocate for "slow fixes," such as new laws, regulations, ethics, and models of production. They cut through the hype and hopelessness that often plague discussions about data, demonstrating clearly and straightforwardly how readers can play an active part in shaping how digital technology influences their lives and the world at large.