The Sunday Debate: Can the Internet be made Safe?

In this book, Jamie Bartlett argues that the unchecked growth of big tech is eroding the foundations of democracy. He contends that the middle class is being eroded, sovereign authority and civil society are weakened, and citizens are losing their critical faculties and possibly their free will. Bartlett identifies six key pillars of democracy—active citizens, shared democratic culture, free elections, stakeholder equality, competitive economy and civic freedom, and trust in authority—and explains how technology is undermining each of these. He provides twenty practical suggestions for how to save democracy from the negative impacts of technology, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that does not reject technology entirely but ensures it serves democratic values[1][5][4].

In *The Dark Net*, Jamie Bartlett delves into the lesser-known aspects of the internet, revealing a world of underground communities, including those involved in radicalism, crime, and alternative subcultures. The book provides a comprehensive look at the history and development of these online communities, offering insights into the diverse and often hidden digital underworld.

Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" is a seminal work on community organizing, outlining strategies for social and political change. The book advocates for grassroots activism and direct confrontation with power structures. Alinsky's methods are often controversial, emphasizing tactics such as public shaming and strategic disruption. The book has been both praised for its effectiveness and criticized for its potential for manipulation and divisiveness. It remains a significant text in the study of social movements and political strategy.