'Not My Type' with E. Jean Carroll

Apryl Williams' 'Not My Type' delves into the pervasive issue of racial discrimination embedded within online dating platforms. Drawing from extensive interviews with over 100 dating app users, the book exposes how algorithms often perpetuate and amplify existing societal biases. It uncovers the ways in which race-based preferences are automated, leading to unequal opportunities and experiences for users from marginalized groups. The book sheds light on the complex interplay between technology, race, and intimacy in the digital age, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness and accountability in the design and implementation of dating algorithms. Ultimately, Williams challenges the notion of 'preference' as a neutral concept, revealing its deep roots in historical and systemic racism.

In The Sirens' Call, Chris Hayes delves into the impact of the attention economy on our lives, politics, and society. He argues that the constant assault from attention-seeking technologies and media has fundamentally altered our ability to focus and has significant implications for our mental health, social structures, and political landscape. Hayes draws on a wide range of sources, including philosophers, media theorists, and psychologists, to provide a holistic framework for understanding and reclaiming control over our attention in a world dominated by 'attentional warlordism'.