Skip to main content

Brainjacking - Brian Clegg *****

Brian Clegg's Brainjacking is a captivating exploration of the subtle and pervasive ways our minds are manipulated in today’s world, offering readers a blend of scientific insight, cultural commentary, and even speculative fiction. Clegg deftly tackles a wide range of topics, from artificial intelligence and deepfakes to psychological nudges and subliminal messaging, weaving them into an engaging narrative that prompts us to rethink how much of our thinking is truly our own.

One of the book’s standout strengths is Clegg’s ability to make complex and often unsettling topics accessible and engaging. Whether he's discussing the dangers of AI-generated deepfakes or the psychology behind targeted advertising, Clegg brings a clear, conversational tone to subjects that might otherwise feel daunting. His approach to brainjacking  -  the subtle art of influencing thoughts and behaviours  -  bridges scientific facts with everyday examples, showing how we’re often nudged or manipulated without realizing it. From the design of user interfaces to the power of storytelling, Clegg illustrates how manipulation is deeply embedded in the world around us.

The breadth of Brainjacking is impressive, as Clegg seamlessly moves between topics like Derren Brown’s psychological illusions, classic science fiction like The Space Merchants, and the latest research in cognitive psychology. He also discusses real-world examples, such as Cambridge Analytica’s controversial use of data and AI’s growing role in political manipulation. These examples make the abstract idea of brainjacking tangible and relatable, and Clegg does a great job balancing historical context with contemporary relevance.

Clegg’s thoughtful integration of science fiction into the discussion is particularly compelling. By referencing works like The Matrix or Philip K. Dick’s Minority Report, he not only highlights how long we’ve been fascinated by mind control and manipulation but also shows how these fictional scenarios are becoming eerily close to reality. This use of speculative fiction adds a layer of depth to the book, encouraging readers to imagine the potential future implications of the technologies and psychological techniques being explored.

Another highlight is Clegg's clear-eyed take on controversial psychological concepts like priming and hypnosis. While he acknowledges the scepticism and replication issues surrounding some of these studies, he doesn’t shy away from exploring their potential impact. Rather than dismissing them outright, he provides a balanced view, showing how even discredited theories offer insight into how easily our minds can be influenced.

What makes Brainjacking particularly engaging is how it doesn’t just leave readers with a sense of unease about manipulation. Clegg emphasizes the importance of awareness and critical thinking as tools to navigate a world where brainjacking is an ever-present reality. He encourages readers to question what they see, hear, and even think, fostering a more mindful approach to the information we consume.

In conclusion, Brainjacking is a fascinating, thought-provoking book that blends science, psychology, and culture into a highly readable and timely exploration of how our minds are shaped by external forces. Clegg’s approachable writing, combined with his wide-ranging insights, makes this a must-read for anyone curious about the hidden influences that affect our daily lives. It’s a book that not only informs but also empowers, giving readers the tools to recognize and resist the subtle manipulations that surround us.

Hardback:   
Kindle:  
Using these links earns us commission at no cost to you
These articles will always be free - but if you'd like to support my online work, consider buying a virtual coffee:
Review by Harriet Dunbar-Morris
Please note, this title is written by the editor of the Popular Science website. Our review is still an honest opinion – and we could hardly omit the book – but do want to make the connection clear.
- See all Brian's online articles or subscribe to a weekly email free here
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Invented the Computer? – Ian Watson

Ian Watson is the author of  The Universal Machine  and featured in a recent  Four Way Interview . Saturday June 23 2012 was the centenary of the birth of Alan Turing, the troubled genius who invented the modern computer. Why though do so few people recognize his name and his great achievements? In 1936 English mathematician Alan Turing, published a paper,  On Computable Numbers, with an application to the Entscheidungsproblem . This became the foundation of computing. In it Turing presented a theoretical machine that could solve any problem that could be described by instructions encoded on a paper tape. A Turing Machine could calculate square roots, whilst another might solve Sudoku puzzles. Turing demonstrated you could construct a single  Universal Machine  that could simulate any Turing Machine. One machine solving any problem for which a program could be written – sound familiar? He’d invented the computer. Then,  computers  were peop...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Star Book – Peter Grego ****

This attractive landscape format book combines an excellent introduction to the stars and basic astronomy with a set of star maps, plus in depth looks at some of the stars featured, with a  bonus section on the solar system. Amazon says it’s a hardback, but in fact it’s a paperback with a rather ingenious cover – you can’t tell from the photo, but the words ‘The Star Book’ are punched through as a series of holes that show the white paper of the next page beneath. Like many astronomy/space books, the cover lacks shelf appeal because it is mostly black, but at least there is some original thought here. Unlike many books in this format which tend to concentrate on the pictures, there is a good deal of excellent text by Peter Grego, so there was no feeling that you were only getting the star maps and star ‘biographies’, something these days much more suited to an iPad or smartphone app. Instead, the opening 30 or so pages give a very good introduction that would be valuable to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ignorance: How it drives science – Stuart Firestein *****

This is a delightful little book that really gets you thinking. I stress the ‘little’ part not as a negative, but as a good thing. There is nothing worse than fat, bloated popular science books where the author feels they have to get 120,000 words to be taken seriously. This is the sort of book that can be read in a couple of hours – but you will get so much more out of it than one of those tedious doorstops. The premise underlying the book is in once sense extremely simple, yet is fundamental to an understanding of what science is and what scientists do. And it is an understanding that is totally at odds with the typical way science is portrayed both in university lectures and popular science books. As Stuart Firestein points out, what is important is not the facts, but rather the area of ignorance. The interesting part and the fundamental heart of science is not about what we know, but about what we don’t know and where we want to look next. Take this lovely quote: ‘Working ...
Post a Comment
Read more