The title of this book provides a pretty accurate description of what it all contains. Written by George Gilder, this book paints a bleak picture for big data and a bright future for blockchain, using big data's poster child Google to frame work the inevitable.

About the Author

George Gilder is an american author, entrepreneur and tech utopianist, who has been intertwined with the tech community for decades. He has written multiple books including ones with predictions for the rise of tech in the mid 90's that for the most part have come true. He has had some controversial stances through the years, being outspoken against feminism for a time and having some interesting supply side economic theories, but he is a good writer and really encompasses all angles to the questions he poses.

The Jist of the Argument

Guilder argues that Google and other tech companies have created the system of the world as it is today. Integrating their business into the very fabric of the financial and social marketplace. They have harnessed and centralized information by providing free services and fueling technological advancement in information processing and storage. They then have monetized this information, yet provide little to no protection in the form of security which will lead to the eventual downfall.

Guilder dives very much into the technical side of both the internet and information processing. Going into great depth and detail, at points going way over my head. He also touches not only how technologically Google and big data is flawed, but also economically.

That is not to say Gilder doesn't have some praise for Google. Their rise to one of, if not the most powerful company has been exceptional. They have dealt with numerous issues that would have ground most companies to a halt.

Impression

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It made you think about the world a lot and how big tech companies have shaped it over the past decade. in 2005 of the five largest companies only three were in the u.s and none in tech. In 2018 the five largest companies in the world were U.S. tech companies. It sets up quite the scenario for the future and presents strong arguments as to why big data might fall to blockchain. The author doesn't assert he knows the future, but builds a compelling case from the fundamental building blocks of the internet as to why big data will fail.

Such an appropriate Spongebob reference

4.5/5

Can get a little to technical at times. If you are a programmer though you'll be in heaven.