In this episode of Future Perfect Book Club, Joel and Ron dive into Careless People: The Story of Where I Used to Work by Sarah Wynn Williams-a memoir chronicling the author’s time at Facebook (now Meta). Recorded in person with producer Jess, the hosts wrestle with the challenges of critiquing a memoir while unpacking the broader societal and ethical questions the book raises. Their conversation moves beyond the author’s personal journey to examine idealism versus realism in tech, the complicity of individuals within powerful systems, and the corrosive effects of unchecked corporate influence on society and personal agency.

The hosts share candid reactions to the book, discuss the lack of accountability in Williams’ narrative, and reflect on how tech platforms have shifted from fostering genuine connections to fueling profit and manipulation. They also introduce a new segment, “A Book We Don’t Want You to Read,” taking aim at the recent abundance discourse.

Ultimately, both Joel and Ron give Careless People a thumbs down, suggesting listeners can skip the book and still engage deeply with the urgent issues it surfaces.

Plus, a preview of the next pick: Meet Me by the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall by Alexandra Lang. Read along and join the conversation on Blue Sky or at Future Perfect Book Club online!

00:00 Introduction to Future Perfect Book Club 00:25 Initial Thoughts on 'Careless People' 01:59 Critique of the Memoir Genre 03:06 Idealism vs. Reality in Tech 04:03 Lack of Accountability in the Memoir 0 6:59 Broader Implications of Tech Power 12:53 The Evolution of Social Media 17:50 The Commercialization of Online Platforms 20:14 Reflecting on the Past and Future 21:37 The Evolution of the Internet 22:50 Capitalism and the Internet's Dark Side 24:40 The Illusion of Trust in Corporations 26:05 Media Distortion and Public Perception 28:53 The Narcissism Epidemic 32:45 Introducing 'Books We Don't Want You to Read' 39:02 Upcoming Book Discussion: Meet Me by the Fountain

• Careless People by Sarah Wynn Williams
• Meet Me by the Fountain by Alexandra Lange

Joel Goodman and Ron Bronson delve into Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly. They discuss the book's exploration of Spotify's impact on the music industry, focusing on historical parallels, algorithmic control, and the creation of 'fake' artists.

The conversation includes personal reflections on the evolution of music consumption, streaming services, and the nostalgia of early music platforms and blog eras. Throughout, they emphasize the moral and existential implications of Spotify's practices for both artists and listeners.

• 00:00 - Synopsis and Initial Impressions of 'Mood Machine'
• 00:36 - Historical Context and Surprising Elements
• 01:37 - Algorithmic Control and Fake Artists
• 02:34 - The Evolution of Music Streaming
• 04:40 - The Impact of Algorithmic Playlists
• 07:11 - The Role of Human Curation in Music Discovery
• 10:17 - The Decline of Music's Artistic Value
• 11:43 - The Dangers of Algorithmic Influence
• 14:03 - Nostalgia and the Value of Craft
• 26:35 - Supporting Artists in the Streaming Era
• 31:18 - Nostalgia and the Blog Era of Music
• 36:24 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly. Buy on Bookshop.org