I recently received from Managementboek a Dutch copy of the book by Dave Eggers, "The Circle", for review (read my review in Dutch). Since it's a business story, it was a very easy read (despite the sometimes awkward choice of words and dialogues) and I finished it within a week after receiving. I heard a lot about it beforehand, was curious to what could seen as provocative message that Eggers gives about social media and open information through internet.
Summary:
[Note, I read the Dutch translation of the book and this is again a translation into English, so I might not use the same terms as in the book]
The young Mae Holland is so happy when she gets hired by "The Circle". This company is everything the young, recently graduated girl dreams of: hip, creative and popular by the general public with the products and services it delivers. (Think Google, Facebook, Yahoo combined) Everything is open and measurable at The Circle. As new member of the Customer Experience Department, Mae answers questions from customers and afterwards sends back a customer survey. Her high score is shared with the whole company ("Newbie Mae is awesome!"). Mae soon finds out that not only her productivity counts at The Circle. The company has expectations too in social participation. Mae's manager points to her low social score: Mae doesn't 'ting' about her activities, doesn't go to parties, doesn't participate in groups associated with her interests. Mae adapts quickly: she becomes member of groups, goes to events and posts about her activities. Her popularity increases quickly. Apparently there is no line between work and private, even her weekends are expected to be 'social'. Mae is driven, so works hard to score in all areas.
A critical note comes from her ex-boyfriend. Mae dismisses the comments (and him): he's just a bore and anti-social. When she thinks to help him by posting about his company, she doesn't understand that he is not appreciative. He compares the information consumption to eating of fast food. Manipulated, merely empty calories and the feeling after a digital binge is just empty, miserable and inferior. Mae has no clue what she ever saw in him.
Meanwhile, Mae becomes more and more transparent. And the number of screens on her desk increases to the ridiculous number of 9. "When does a secret mean any good?", asks one of the Three Wise Men that lead The Circle. Mae agrees; only openess contributes to changes for the good in the world. She doesn't see that people around her change their behaviour towards her, because they know the whole internet world might look and listen. Her parents submerge and a mass search to her ex-boyfriend (compare it to witch hunt) has dramatic results.
Some thoughts:
Although not the best book I've ever read, "The Circle" by Dave Eggers gives some food for thought. We want more openess and give away more of our private lives than ever before. How far will it go? Is there still such thing as privacy? Eggers describes a potential future, but I think a lot is already taking place. Look at all the pictures and videos daily posted. And who doesn't get a kick of an increasing number of followers on Facebook or Twitter? And, do we need to share everything? Not sharing is not the same as keeping secrets, it could be to protect oneself or others.
I tend to agree with the ex-boyfriend who makes a comparison with consuming fast food. We can spend the whole day in social media, and we were busy enough (liking, posting, reading) but what does it leave us with, except from a feeling of exhaustion. We need time to reflect (chew the food) and distinguish good quality information from easy consumption. Which reminds me of the book by Clay Johnson "The Information Diet".
The Circle is meant as a warning, I think, and for that reason worth to read.
Comments