Although it seems like we were only singing Auld Lang Syne a few weeks ago, we are fast approaching the halfway point of 2025. This year is already proving to be one for the history books, thanks to seismic developments such as the beginning of Donald Trump’s second presidency, the shock rise of DeepSeek, and, of course, Meta’s eye-opening antitrust trial.
In order to gain a better grasp of these significant news stories, this summer might be a good time to read some of the books and podcasts that we have listed below.
Books
Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Private Life by Tiffany Jenkins
In 2009, long-before the advent of platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok, the former Google CEO Eric Schmidt said “If you have something that you don’t want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place”, warning that users treat Google as if it were a “trusted friend” and to be careful with the information they share online. Despite this warning, thanks to algorithms and the addictive nature of social media, many of us continue to consciously and unconsciously share a lot of information about ourselves on the web, with user information becoming the mainstay of many “free” online services.
In today’s digital age, the boundary between public and private life has become increasingly blurred, shaped by the advent of mobile phones and social media. In her new book, Tiffany Jenkins explores how this tension between the public and the private has unfolded throughout history, from ancient Athens to our chronically online present day.
Like: The Button that Changed the World by Martin Reeves and Bob Goodson
In our social media-obsessed world, many of us do not seem to go a day without pressing a “like” button, a button that has embedded itself into daily life. In fact, it is clicked 160 billion times a day.
In this book, Martin Reeves and Bob Goodson explore the creation and evolution of the button and what it reveals about innovation, business, and culture, and its profound impact on human interaction. The book explores the button’s neurological effects, noting studies which find that both liking someone else’s post and receiving likes on social media boosts dopamine levels, something the authors attribute to the evolutionary impulse to share information and reward others who do the same. When Facebook introduced the button in 2009, the company’s estimated value jumped from $15 billion to $50 billion.
Reeves and Goodson trace the iconic button’s early beginnings, identifying that the function was not the brainchild of one person, which reflects the book’s central theme: breakthrough ideas emerge from networks, not individuals.
Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future by Reid Hoffman and Greg Beato
Since 2022 when OpenAI released its chatbot ChatGPT, the world has been captivated by artificial intelligence (AI). This obsession is not set to shift anytime soon, despite increased concerns that new AI models may be hallucinating more than previous models. In recent times, artificial intelligence has also been criticised for its concerningly large carbon footprint. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the electricity consumption of AI data centres is a major force behind the anticipated 1,050 terawatts that data centres are predicted to use by 2026, placing their electricity usage somewhere between that of Japan and Russia.
With news stories about the harms of artificial intelligence becoming much more prevalent, it may be time to read Superagency by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and journalist Greg Beato, who are encouraging more AI optimism rather than pessimism. In the book, the authors make the case that AI can extend human agency, offering us more knowledge, improved job opportunities, and better lives. Furthermore, the book encourages us to not perceive artificial intelligence as a futuristic fantasy, guiding the reader through its origins and its subsequent inevitable rise.
Podcasts
Strong Message Here
For those who prefer to engage in current affairs over audio, this podcast by journalist Helen Lewis and satirist Armando Iannucci may be a great option. The two hosts analyse the political language used by some of the world’s most notable figures to understand what their words are really trying to say. Notably, the podcast is not particularly favourable to any one political figure, tech leader, or other renowned individual, poking fun at anyone whose voice stands out above the masses.
